OTTAWA,
August 24, 2006 – The Honourable Rona Ambrose,
Minister of the Environment and the Honourable
Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans,
today announced the addition of 32 land-based
species and 10 aquatic species to Schedule 1,
the list of species protected under the Species
at Risk Act (SARA).
"I am very pleased that
we are taking action today to protect and save
some very precious species from the north pacific
right whale and the ancient murrelet to the green
sturgeon. We are listing an incredible array of
species that are currently in jeopardy,"
said Environment Minister Rona Ambrose. "Protecting
species at risk, helps us to ensure a safe future
for our wild life and wild places and will allow
future generations to enjoy and experience their
presence."
Last fall the Governor in Council
(GiC), on the recommendation of the Minister of
the Environment, acknowledged receipt of 46 COSEWIC
species assessments. This action initiated the
nine month timeline for the GiC to decide on whether
or not to add the species to SARA, or refer the
assessments back to COSEWIC. Of the 46 species,
33 were terrestrial species and 13 were aquatic
species. That number increased to 18 aquatic species
by treating each population of six white sturgeon
populations as a separate species.
Eight aquatic species will not be listed at this
time, including five populations of beluga whales,
the porbeagle shark and two populations of white
sturgeon.
"Our focus continues to
be the long-term health of these aquatic species,"
said Minister Hearn. "We will continue to
enforce the protections offered by the Fisheries
Act, while pursuing action plans to help these
species recover. This approach allows us some
flexibility to ensure that we don't negatively
affect the fishing industry as we focus on helping
these species make a comeback. These are both
worthwhile goals, and I believe they can both
be achieved."
The rationale for not listing
these aquatic species is highlighted in the backgrounder
(see below).
The Verna's flower moth will
not be listed at this time, but be referred back
to COSEWIC for further information and consideration,
given the limited information on this species.
The implementation of the Species
at Risk Act reinforces the Government of Canada's
commitment to ensure the protection for species
at risk and their ecosystems.
The notice of the addition of
32 land-based species and 10 aquatic species to
Schedule 1, the list of species protected under
the Species at Risk Act (SARA) will be published
in the Canada Gazette, Part II September 6, 2006.
More information regarding the Species at Risk
Act is available on the SARA Public Registry.
Ryan Sparrow
