Proceedings 2010/047

Proceedings of the Central and Arctic Regional Science Advisory Process on the Recovery Potential Assessment of Lake Sturgeon for Designatable Units 1-5; October 20-22, December 3 and 17, 2009

Chairperson: Thomas C. Pratt
Editor: Lisa O'Connor

Summary

In November 2006, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed the status of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). The populations in western Canada, Western Hudson Bay (Designated Unit (DU) 1), Saskatchewan River (DU2), Nelson River (DU3), Red-Assiniboine rivers – Lake Winnipeg (DU4) and Winnipeg River - English River (DU5), were designated as Endangered. These Lake Sturgeon DUs are now being considered for legal listing under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). In advance of making listing decisions, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science has been asked to undertake Recovery Potential Assessments (RPAs) for DUs 1-5. Science advisory meetings were held on 20-22 October 2009 and 3 and 17 December 2009 to conduct these RPAs. Meeting participants were from DFO Science and the Species at Risk program, the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, aboriginal communities and organizations, SaskPower, Manitoba Hydro, an environmental consulting company, the University of Manitoba and State University of New York-Oswego. A draft Research Document and Science Advisory Report for each DU was distributed prior to the meetings. During the meetings, the participants discussed the best available information and knowledge gaps for Lake Sturgeon in DUs 1-5 on a range of topics related to species biology, population and distribution objectives, habitat requirements, threats to survival or recovery, potential mitigation measures and allowable harm. Participants also identified Management Units within each DU. The meeting documents were revised to reflect the discussions and conclusions reached.

This Proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions and presents the key conclusions reached at the meetings. The five Science Advisory Reports and their supporting Research Documents, resulting from these advisory meetings, are published on the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Website.

Complete document (PDF, 213 KB)

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