Terms of Reference

Recommendations for the Identification of Critical Habitat for Speckled Dace

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

April 19th, 2012
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Sean MacConnachie

Context

Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus) was listed in 2009* as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). A recovery strategy and action plan must be prepared for Endangered species and included within one of these documents, the species’ critical habitat. Critical habitat is defined in SARA as “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed species and that is identified as the species critical habitat in the recovery strategy or action plan for the species”. Under SARA section 41(1c) a species’ critical habitat must be identified to the extent possible, based on the best available information.

DFO SARA Management Program has requested science advice in support of the identification of critical habitat Speckled Dace.

Objectives

The following working paper will be reviewed and provide the basis for discussion and advice:

Brown, T. and B. Harvey. 2012. Information in the support of the identification of critical habitat for Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus). CSAP Working Paper 2011/P54

To provide the best available information regarding the geospatial extent of the critical habitat and its biophysical functions, features and attributes.

Expected publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report (1)
• CSAS Research Document (1)
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• DFO Science, Oceans, Habitat and Species at Risk, Policy and Economics
• Province of BC
• External Reviewers
• Non-governmental organizations
• Other Stakeholders

*Corrected August 2012: Speckled Dace was listed under SARA in 2009, not 2008 as previously stated.