Terms of Reference

Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt, Small-bodied Population (LURS-SbP) Population Abundance and Allowable Harm Estimate

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

November 19, 2019
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

Context

Lake Utopia is part of the Magaguadavic River watershed in southwestern New Brunswick. Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (LURS) represent one of the only three confirmed occurrences in Canada where genetically divergent smelt populations co-exist. Two populations of smelt co-exist in Lake Utopia, a small-bodied form (SbP) and a large-bodied form (LbP). Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (LURS-SbP) was originally designated as Threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in April 1998 and listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as Threatened in June 2003. The rationale for the designation was the “population is part of a genetically divergent sympatric pair of Osmerus that is endemic to a single lake in Canada with an extremely small index of area of occupancy (6 sq. km). It spawns in only three (3) small streams in the watershed and could quickly become extinct through degradation of spawning streams from increasing development around the lake shore and impacts of the dip-net fishery. This population is threatened by introduction of exotic species and by increasing eutrophication” (see: COSEWIC 2008). A Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) (both SbP and LbP) was undertaken in 2010 (DFO 2011). A Recovery Strategy for the LURS-SbP (sympatric with the LURS-LbP) was published in 2016 (DFO 2016a). The Recovery Strategy adopts the interim recovery abundance target for LURS-SbP recommended in the RPA. LURS-SbP was re-assessed as Endangered by COSEWIC in 2018. A status change from threatened to endangered is currently being considered under the SARA.

The most recent abundance estimate for the LURS-SbP is from 2009.  The intent of this meeting is to provide an update of this information along with further investigation of new information (sampling and genetic analysis) to address questions related to the relative contribution of the spawning streams to the population productivity of the LURS-SbP.

Objective

• Provide an updated population abundance estimate for LURS-SbP in Second Brook, Unnamed Brook, Smelt Brook, and Mill Lake Stream
• Evaluate the relative contribution of each of the above mentioned spawning streams to the overall productivity of LURS-SbP
• Review, and update as necessary, the interim recovery abundance target that was adopted in the Recovery Strategy (DFO 2016)
• Review, and update as necessary, the allowable harm determination for LURS-SbP, including the level the species can sustain without jeopardizing its survival or recovery

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Ecosystem Management

References

COSEWIC 2008. Assessment and Update Status Report on the Rainbow Smelt, Lake Utopia Large-bodied Population and Small-bodied Population Osmerus mordax in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 28 pp.

DFO. 2011. Recovery Potential Assessment for Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) Designatable Units. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/004.

DFO. 2016a. Recovery Strategy for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Small-bodied Population (sympatric with the Large-bodied Population), in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Ottawa viii + 57 pp.

DFO. 2016b. Estimating Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) Spawner Abundance and Allowable Harm. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2016/024.