Terms of Reference

Stocking Strategy for the Establishment of Self-Sustaining Atlantic Whitefish Population(s) and Development of a Framework for the Evaluation of Suitable Lake Habitat

Regional Advisory Process – Maritimes Region

November 1-2, 2017
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

The Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) was listed as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act in 2003. The species is currently restricted to three small interconnected lakes in the upper Petite Rivière watershed in southwest Nova Scotia and is currently threatened by invasive predatory fish species (Smallmouth Bass and Chain Pictekerel) within this last remaining habitat. Range expansion, the establishment of additional self-sustaining populations outside the currently occupied habitat in the Petite Rivière, is identified as part of the overall recovery goal in the Atlantic Whitefish Recovery Strategy and Action Plan (DFO 2016a, 2016b) and could also prevent extinction.

Undertaking introduction activities in any new habitat will require Science advice on the recommended stocking strategy to guide introduction actions that maximize the likelihood of a self-sustaining Atlantic Whitefish population being successfully established. The provision of this advice may be guided by the Atlantic Whitefish Culture Handbook (Whitelaw et al. 2015), stocking mechanisms of Coregonid sp. used elsewhere in support of survival and recovery (e.g., translocation, propagation, genetic and non-genetic based captive-breeding), as well as the experience gained from the Atlantic Whitefish release experiment in Anderson Lake (Bradford et al. 2015).

Opportunities to expand the range of the species to another system within its historic distribution, as well as partnering opportunities, are being explored. Science advice is required to develop a framework in which potential waterbodies can be evaluated for their suitability for Atlantic Whitefish.

Objective

The first objective of this meeting is to determine a recommended stocking strategy to guide introduction actions to increase the likelihood that a self-sustaining Atlantic Whitefish population will be successfully established in a new location within the Southern Upland ecoregion of Nova Scotia.

The second objective of this meeting is to evaluate a framework for determining suitable habitat for the successful establishment of an Atlantic Whitefish population outside its current distribution.

Based on what is known about the historical range of Atlantic Whitefish, as well as its habitat requirements and life history characteristics (in both the Petite Rivière lakes and the former anadromous population in the Tusket River system), advice is required to answer the following questions:

Stocking Strategy

1. What stocking strategies could be used to establish a self-sustaining Atlantic Whitefish population into another waterbody?
   1. What are the risks to the existing Atlantic Whitefish population in the Petite Rivière lakes associated with stocking and how can these risks be minimized?
2. What is the recommended stocking strategy (e.g., number of fish, life stage, number of releases, composition, release locations, timeline) to maximize the likelihood of success in establishing a self-sustaining Atlantic Whitefish population in another waterbody?
3. What are the recommended performance indicators and monitoring requirements to evaluate success?

Habitat Suitability Framework

4. What characteristics (e.g., habitat type, water quality, species assemblage) would provide suitable habitat for the successful establishment of a self-sustaining Atlantic Whitefish population? What are the knowledge gaps and how can these uncertainties be addressed?  
5. How should the potential ecological risks to a receiving waterbody from the introduction of Atlantic Whitefish be assessed and what measures should be put in place to avoid or minimize risks?

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Ecosystems and Oceans Science
• DFO Ecosystem Management
• DFO Fisheries Protection Program
• Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Parks Canada Agency
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• Non-governmental organizations
• References

References

Bradford, R.G., Themelis, D., LeBlanc, P., Campbell, D.M., O’Neil, S.F., and Whitelaw, J. 2015. Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) Stocking in Anderson Lake, Nova Scotia. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3142: vi + 45 p.

DFO. 2016a. Amended Recovery Strategy for the Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. xiii + 60 pp.

DFO. 2016b. Action Plan for the Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. vii + 39 pp.

Whitelaw, J., Manríquez-Hernández, J., Duston, J., O’Neil, S.F. and Bradford, R.G. 2015. Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) culture handbook. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3074: vii + 55 p.