Northern bottlenose whale receives protection

The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has announced that two aquatic species will be added to the list of species protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). One of these is the the Northern bottlenose whale - bringing the total number of species protected under the Act to 347.

"The government looked at each species very carefully when deciding whether to list it under SARA," said Minister Hearn. "These decisions have real impacts on Canadians and it's critical that we consider all of the information, including scientific assessments, Aboriginal traditional knowledge, the feedback we received from thousands of Canadians, as well as the social and economic impacts of listing these species."

The Northern bottlenose whale (Scotian Shelf area) was part of a larger group of 12 aquatic species which underwent an extended period of consultation while under consideration for addition to SARA. Following the public posting of the recommendations, a decision was also made to not list Interior Fraser River coho salmon under SARA. Extensive protection measures are already in place and will be continued under the Fisheries Act. Although Interior Fraser River coho remains a concern, the department is confident that it has the tools to rebuild the species.

Six species' assessments will be returned to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) for further information or consideration, including the harbour porpoise (NW Atlantic population.)

Click here for information on all aquatic species at risk.


photograph (c) Graeme Cresswell