Terms of Reference

Regional Advisory Meeting

Assessment of Information Required for the Identification of Critical Habitat for Pugnose Shiner, Spotted Gar, Lake Chubsucker and Northern Madtom

May 29, 2008

Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
 Burlington, ON

Chairperson: Dr. Nicholas E. Mandrak

Background

Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) requires the development of recovery strategies for species listed as "Endangered" or "Threatened" under the act (SARA, Schedule 1). As mandated by SARA, recovery strategies must include a description of critical habitat to the extent possible based on the best available information. When sufficient data are lacking, a schedule of studies may be included that, when completed, would allow critical habitat to be identified. Critical habitat is defined under Section 2 of SARA as, "the habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species".

Once designated, SARA provides provisions to protect critical habitat of these species. The Ontario Freshwater Fish Recovery Team has recently developed recovery strategies for four species of fishes - Lake Chubsucker, Northern Madtom, Pugnose Shiner and Spotted Gar (see below).

* Schedule 1, SARA

Science advice on the information required for the identification of critical habitat for these species is required for consideration and possible integration into their respective recovery strategies. Existing descriptions of critical habitat for some species and populations have been proposed by the recovery team and need to be considered in range-wide recommendations to support the recovery team’s decision on the identification of critical habitat for the four species. Science advice on a population-by-population basis is requested for each of the four species across their Canadian range, taking into consideration the limited data available for each population. The science advice should include a conceptual framework for identifying information required for the identification of critical habitat for freshwater fishes and, thus, provide general guidance that may be adapted for broader usage.

Specific Objectives

1. To review information required by the recovery teams to identify critical habitat for four freshwater fish species based on the proposed conceptual framework. For each species, the information will include, data permitting: a) habitat requirements by life stage; b) an estimate of recovery target or minimum viable population size; c) area of occupancy of each population.

2. To review a proposed schedule of studies to fill gaps in knowledge required to identify or refine information required for the identification of critical habitat for four freshwater fish species.

Based on:

3. A review of methods for information required for the identification of critical habitat, particularly for species with limited data on habitat requirements.

4. A review of a proposed conceptual framework for identifying information required for the identification of critical habitat for freshwater fishes.

Working papers

A working paper will be developed that will outline:

• methods for identifying information required for the identification of critical habitat for freshwater fishes

• proposed conceptual framework for identifying information required for the identification of critical habitat for freshwater fishes

• information required for the identification of critical habitat for each of the four species on a population-by-population basis

• proposed schedule of studies to fill gaps in knowledge required to provide information required for the identification of critical habitat for four freshwater fish species

Output of the meeting

A proceedings document, science advisory document, and one or more research documents of the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) will be produced that will provide information required for the identification of critical habitat for the four Ontario fishes.

The scientific information/advice issued from this meeting will be available for consideration by the Ontario Freshwater Fish Recovery Team that is involved in the identification of critical habitat for the four Ontario fishes. The conclusions regarding biologically based approaches to the determination of information required for the identification of critical habitat and recovery targets may also be useful for those who are involved in the recovery process for other species.

Participation

DFO experts from Science, Habitat Management, and Policy, experts from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and invited participants from academia.