Research Document - 2004/109

Status, trend, and recovery considerations in support of an allowable harm assessment for Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani)

By Bradford, R.G., D.L. Longard, P. Longue

Abstract

The Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) occurs only in the Province of Nova Scotia. They are listed and protected as endangered under the Canada Species at Risk Act (SARA). Under SARA there is a requirement to determine if there is scope for allowable harm to a listed species, any part of its critical habitat, or the residences of its individuals. In support of these determinations, this document updates to 2004 information concerning the species distribution, status, trends, and recovery feasibility and timeframe. Data sources include historical information, directed research, public consultations, and ‘data-mining’ of files held by government agencies. The results indicate that Atlantic whitefish area of occupancy has declined by at least one-half since 1982. The species distribution is now restricted to the Petite Rivière, wherein life-cycle closure is certain only for a lake resident population that occupies the 16km² aggregate area of Minamkeak, Milipsigate and Hebb lakes. Recovery will require expansion of the area of occupancy. This is unlikely to occur without direct human intervention, namely through provision of fish passage and stocking either to repatriate the species within the Tusket-Annis drainage or to create additional lake resident populations in vacant habitat. There is no specified timeframe for recovery.

Atlantic whitefish have survived within the three Petite Rivière lakes even though the lakes have been subject to extensive human activity, and alteration. Measures to protect the species from the most significant sources of human-induced harm within the lakes have not been enacted until recently. These facts, in combination, indicate a tolerance to harm arising from human activities. Recovery is therefore concluded to be feasible even though human-induced harm is greater than zero.

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