Habitat Protection

March 19, 2008

“The federal government continues to delay policy development on this important element of the SARA, “ says Sandy Baumgartner, CWF’s executive director of programs and communications. “Without protecting their habitat, species at risk will continue to decline.”

When the Species at Risk Act was proclaimed in 2003, the conservation community let out a collective sigh of relief. After more than 10 years of discussion, consultation and debate, Canada had its first federal legislation designed to protect endangered species. Unfortunately, the community was likely a little tired about fighting for species at risk and so paid less attention to the implementation of the act than perhaps was required.

An independent review of SARA in 2006 showed that the federal government was not fulfilling its obligations under the act. Of particular concern to many conservation groups and industry is the uncertainty around the identification of a critical habitat. “The federal government continues to delay policy development on this important element of the SARA, “says Sandy Baumgartner, CWF’s executive director of programs and communications. “Without protecting their habitat, species at risk will continue to decline,” she says.

CWF will be pushing the federal government to fully implement this act in 2007.

On February 27, 2008, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans posted 7 final recovery strategies and 1 management plan on the SARA Public Registry for SARA listed species including the Northern Wolffish , Spotted Wolffish , Atlantic Wolffish, Carmine Shiner , Western Silvery Minnow , Gravel Chub and Paddlefish.
Updated publications and reports concerning the SARA can be found at http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm.

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