Terms of Reference

Further developments to the national framework on Recovery Potential Assessments (RPAs) for species at risk

National Workshop

Part 1, March 19, 2007 - Long term population projections
Part 2, March 23, 2007 - Critical Habitat
Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa

Chairperson: Jake Rice

Background and Context:

Provisions of the Species at Risk Act require jurisdictions to prepare Recovery Strategies and Action Plans for each listed species. These Strategies and Plans must include a description of critical habitat and recovery targets for range and abundance of a listed species. Provisions of the Plan must include measures to protect individuals of protected species from mortality, harm or harassing by human activities, or destruction of their habitats or, when appropriate, residences. Plans may allow such harm or mortality only when it can be shown that the activities do not jeopardize survival or recovery.

Prior to listing decisions by Government in Council, the responsible jurisdiction must consult with Canadians on the social and economic consequences of the recovery plans. For these consultations to be informed, scenarios often have to be explored analytically, to investigate the likelihood of recovery under different assumptions about the levels and nature of various human activities.

Both the direct provisions of SARA and the information needed for modeling social and economic impact scenarios require significant input from Science Sector. An initial framework for these Recovery Potential Assessments was developed in a series of CSAS workshops in 2004-2006. At a workshop between Science Sector and the SARA Secretariat, with participation from all DFO Sectors, in September 2006, the types of science support required for assessing recovery potential and social and economic effects of listing was discussed further, gaps were identified, and priorities assigned. Following that Workshop, Science Sector appointed a Recovery Potential Assessment “SWAT Team” to commence work to address the gaps and build national and regional capacity to conduct recovery potential assessments. That SWAT team identified two areas for immediate action, and commenced activities to have working papers ready to review at a Workshop in March 2007.

Objectives:

1. To review the state of knowledge and provide guidance on best practices for:
   1. Long term population projections done as part of social and economic scenario exploration
   2. quantifying the amount of critical habitat
2. Review the results of the Science Sector – SARA Secretariat workshop, and develop a workplan for addressing other gaps and priorities.

Proposed approach and Working Papers:

1. Review working papers on the state of knowledge of methods for long term population projections, considering:
   1. the requirements for pre-listing socio-economic analyses and post-listing recovery planning
   2. the appropriateness of alternative methods for marine and freshwater fish species with differing life histories and data availability
   3. how risks and uncertainties should be accounted for in analyses and provision of advice.
2. With the information available, provide guidance on the best practices (and possibly on unacceptable practices) for long term projections, considering the factors in 1, and identify any further work that would be needed in order to improve the best practices.
3. Review working papers on published methods on the quantity and quality of critical habitat, or habitat of aquatic organisms in general, considering:
   1. the appropriateness of different quantification methods for aquatic habitats with different types of properties;
   2. the appropriateness of different quantification methods for aquatic species with different types of habitat affinities;
   3. the appropriateness of different methods for different quantities and qualities of data;
   4. risks and uncertainties that should be communicated about the results of any methods.
4. Provide guidance on best practices for quantifying critical habitat, considering the factors in 3.

Output:

A Science Advisory Report, a Proceeding, and at least two Research Documents (on the themes of 1 and 3).

Participation:

DFO scientists who were identified as part of the Recovery Potential Assessment “SWAT team” are expected to participate in one or both parts of this workshop, depending on their field of expertise. Participation may also be influenced by a concurrent SARA-related workshop, held March 20-22 in Ottawa. Participants from other DFO sectors are also expected.