21/01/2005 - The Honourable
Stéphane Dion, Minister of the
Environment, today announced that 73
new species will be added to the list
of species protected under the Species
at Risk Act (SARA).
The decision to add these species to
the list is the result of a thorough,
transparent process which took into
account scientific assessments, traditional
Aboriginal knowledge, public consultations
and public comment.
“Whatever the cause, losing a species
is tragic and irreversible,” said Minister
Dion. “Our hope is to see these 73 species,
which include the Pacific Pond Turtle,
the Blue Whale and the Ribbonsnake,
recover to a point where they can thrive
again. We must protect them, and it’s
a responsibility that we and our partners
take very seriously.”
This is the first group of species
added to Schedule 1, the list of species
protected under SARA, since the Act
was proclaimed in 2003. These additions
bring the number of species that are
protected under SARA to 306. Recovery
strategies and action plans must be
developed for all of the species listed
as threatened or endangered, while management
plans are required for species of special
concern.
The list of the 73 species being added
can be found in the January 26, 2005
edition of the Canada Gazette, and on
the SARA Registry website (www.sararegistry.gc.ca).
The polar bear, the Northwestern population
of grizzly bear and the Western population
of wolverine will not be added to the
list at this time, in order to provide
an opportunity for Environment Canada
to consult further with the Nunavut
Wildlife Management Board on concerns
that they have raised. These consultations
will be undertaken on an urgent basis
and are expected to be concluded by
the end of May.
Cultus Lake and Sakinaw Lake sockeye
salmon will also not be added to the
list, in keeping with the advice of
Minister Dion after consultation with
the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister
of Fisheries and Oceans. However, comprehensive
recovery plans for these species will
be completed and Fisheries and Oceans
Canada will continue to pursue its action
plan to protect and rebuild the Cultus
and Sakinaw Lake sockeye populations.
The assessment of the speckled dace
will be returned to the Committee on
the Status of Endangered Wildlife in
Canada (COSEWIC) for further information
and consideration.
