Terms of Reference

Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) of Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Eastslope populations)

Central and Arctic Regional Advisory Meeting

Lethbridge, Alberta
March 22-23, 2011

Chairperson: Kathleen Martin

Context

In May 2005, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed the status of the Eastslope populations of Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Cottus sp.) as Threatened. The reason for this designation is because this DU has a very restricted area of occurrence in the St. Mary and Milk rivers in Canada where it has been impacted by habitat loss and degradation from water diversion, conditions that have been exacerbated in recent years by drought. In September 2006, this DU was added to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Development of a recovery strategy was undertaken.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been asked to undertake a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for the Eastslope populations of Rocky Mountain Sculpin. DFO Science developed the RPA framework to provide the information and scientific advice required for the Department to meet various requirements of the SARA. The information in the RPA may be used to inform both scientific and socio-economic elements of the listing decision, as well as development of a recovery strategy and action plan, and to support decision-making with regards to the issuance of permits, agreements and related conditions, as per sections 73, 74, 75, 77 and 78 of SARA.

This advisory meeting is being held to assess the recovery potential of Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Eastslope populations). The resulting RPA Science Advisory Report (SAR) will summarize the historic and current understanding of the distribution, abundance and trend of this DU, along with recovery targets and times to recovery while considering various management scenarios. The current state of knowledge about habitat requirements, threats to the Eastslope populations and their habitat, and measures to mitigate these impacts, will also be included in the SAR. At this stage in the SARA process for Rocky Mountain Sculpin, the information in the RPA may be used to inform the development of an action plan and to support decision-making with regards to SARA agreements and permits.

Objectives

The intent of this meeting is to assess the recovery potential of Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Eastslope populations) using the RPA framework outlined in the Revised Protocol for Conducting Recovery Potential Assessments. The advice will be provided to the DFO Minister for her consideration in meeting various requirements of SARA for this DU.

Expected Publications

The meeting will generate a proceedings report summarizing the deliberations of the participants. This will be published in the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Proceedings Series. There will be CSAS Research Document(s) produced from the working paper(s) presented at the meeting. Advice from the meeting will be published in the form of a SAR.

Participation

Experts from DFO, Alberta provincial government and academia have been invited to participate in this meeting.