Terms of Reference

Recovery Potential Assessment for Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) Nass/Skeena, Central Pacific Coast and Fraser River Designatable Units

Pacific Regional Advisory Process

January 25-26, 2012
Nanaimo, B.C.

Chairperson: Sean MacConnachie

Context

When the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designates aquatic species as threatened or endangered, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), as the responsible jurisdiction under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), is required to undertake a number of actions. Many of these actions require scientific information on the current status of the species, population or designable unit (DU), threats to its survival and recovery, and the feasibility of its recovery. Formulation of this scientific advice has typically been developed through a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) that is normally conducted shortly after the COSEWIC assessment. This timing allows for the consideration of peer-reviewed scientific analyses into SARA processes including recovery planning and listing recommendations.

DFO Science has been asked to undertake an RPA for Eulachon, based on the National Frameworks (DFO 2007a and b) developed for this purpose. The information and advice in the RPA may be used to inform both scientific and socio-economic elements that are considered by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada in recommending whether a species is listed as Threatened or Endangered under the Species at Risk Act, 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 section 73, 74, 75, 77 and 78 of SARA.

Eulachon was assessed by COSEWIC May 2011. Eulachon was assessed as three separate populations (or Designatable Units (DUs)); the Fraser River DU – Endangered, the Central Pacific Coast DU – Endangered and the Nass/Skeena DU – Threatened. While COSEWIC will reassess the Nass/Skeena DU in 2012, this review will be inclusive of the Nass/Skeena DU. In anticipation of these designations DFO developed a paper to compile information in support of the development of a RPA (Levesque and Therriault 2011). This paper was assessed in March of 2011 and forms a foundation piece for the current assessment. Participants are encouraged to review this document as many of the requirements of the RPA will be cited from here.

Objective

The objective of this Regional Advisory Process, is to provide information and advice, to the extent possible, respecting the potential for recovery of the three COSEWIC identified DUs of Eulachon.

The provision of recovery potential information and advice is guided by the DFO National Framework (DFO 2007a and b) developed for this purpose. The frameworks outline a number of specific elements for consideration in the provision of RPA information and advice, and will be used to guide this review. Generally these elements can be categorized into the following categories:

The recovery potential of the each DU.
The current and recent species status, including residence if applicable
The habitat requirements of the species
The scope for management to facilitate recovery
Scenarios for mitigation and alternative to activities that are likely to threaten the species
Allowable harm

The following working paper will be reviewed during the course of this Regional Advisory Process, in support of this objective.

Schweigert, J. et al. 2011. Recovery potential assessment of Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus). Fraser, Central and Nass-Skeena Designatable units. Working Paper 2011/P51

In addition, the CSAS Research Document, previously reviewed in March 2011, will also be used in support of the objective:

Levesque, C.A. and Therriault, T.W. 2011. Information in Support of a Recovery Potential Assessment of Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2011/101 viii + 71 p.

Expected Publications

CSAS Science Advisory Report
CSAS Proceedings of meeting
CSAS Research Document

Participation

DFO Science, Oceans, Habitat and Species at Risk, Policy and Economics, Aboriginal Communities, Province of BC, External Reviewers, Industry, Non-governmental organizations and Other Stakeholders will be invited to participate in this meeting.