Status of reintroduction efforts for SARA-listed fishes in Canada

Session: Imperiled Species in the Great Lakes Basin: Identifying Threats and Restoring Populations (3)

Karl Lamothe, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]
Andrew Drake, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]

Abstract

Fishes are among the most threatened taxa in Canada with over 70 species, subspecies, and/or Designatable Units presently listed for protection under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Protecting these species requires a diverse set of strategies based on the best-available data and information. One strategy identified in Canadian federal recovery strategies for improving the status of SARA-listed fishes is species reintroduction, which involves the release of individuals into areas from which they have been extirpated with the goal of re-establishing self-sustaining populations. In this presentation, I will describe the state of reintroduction science for the 14 SARA-listed fishes identified as candidates for reintroduction in federal recovery strategies and highlight five important ecological themes to consider when evaluating reintroduction potential of freshwater fishes: habitat characteristics, species characteristics, biotic interactions, stocking approaches, and monitoring. I will conclude by emphasizing that due to the tremendous amount of research performed by Canadian aquatic scientists since SARA was enacted in 2002, now is the time to undertake active, experimental approaches to reintroduction to advance recovery efforts for SARA-listed fishes.

Twitter handle of presenter
@KarlLamothe