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Species at Risk Act management scenarios summary for the Squanga whitefish species pair

European Whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), Squanga Lake small-bodied population, and Lake Whitefish (C. clupeaformis), Squanga Lake large-bodied population (herein referred to as the Squanga whitefish species pair), as threatened under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The “Do Not List” (DNL) scenario outlines measures that could be implemented if the Squanga whitefish species pair is declined for listing. The “List” scenario outlines legislative requirements and other measures to be implemented if the species is listed as threatened under SARA.

These scenarios are used as part of the advice to support decision-making by the Governor in Council. Confirmation of specific actions will follow the listing decision. DFO does not have the authority to commit to specific actions on behalf of other federal agencies, the Government of Yukon, Indigenous partners, or stakeholders. Protections under the Fisheries Act remain in place regardless of the listing decision.

Activity Do not list List

SARA general prohibitions

No measures would be implemented under SARA

  • No person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell, or trade the Squanga whitefish species pair (s.32)

SARA recovery planning

No measures would be implemented under SARA

  • Development of a recovery strategy (s.37) and an action plan (s.47)
  • Identification of critical habitat to the extent possible (s.41[1][c] and [c.1])

Grants and Contributions Funding and Memoranda of Understanding

SARA-related grants and contributions eligibility is limited to the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) and the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) Species declined for listing are at substantially lower priority for AFSAR and HSP funding than listed species or species under consideration for listing

Ineligible for the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk and Canada-Yukon Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) funding
  • The Squanga whitefish species pair would be eligible for all SARA-related grants and contributions funding and Canada-Yukon MOU funding

Habitat protection

No measures would be implemented under SARA

Habitat protections under the Fisheries Act remain in place.
  • Protection of identified critical habitat under a Critical Habitat Order (s.58[4],[5])
  • SARA agreements or permits may be issued, subject to pre-conditions (s.73[3])
  • DFO would consider SARA prohibitions in regulatory reviews, including for SARA permits or Fisheries Act authorizations that also act as SARA permits for some activities (s.73[2][b] and [c])
  • Environmental assessments under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act would consider SARA requirements, with DFO as a decision body

Fisheries management

No measures would be implemented under SARA

Ongoing management under the Fisheries Act and regulations

  • No current commercial or domestic fishing licenses exist for Squanga Lake (not applicable)
  • Targeted sport fishing of the Squanga whitefish species pair would be prohibited (s.32)
  • Though subsistence harvest of the Squanga whitefish species pair would also be prohibited (s.32), exemption from prohibitions under s.83(4) can be applied to First Nations subsistence fisheries

Aquatic Invasive Species (ais) management

No measures would be implemented under SARA

Ongoing management under the Fisheries Act and Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations
  • Additional AIS measures may be identified under a recovery strategy or action plan
  • AIS measures supporting the Squanga whitefish species pair remain eligible for SARA grants and contributions and Canada-Yukon MOU funding
  • SARA permits may be issued for AIS mitigation activities affecting the Squanga whitefish species pair (s.73[2])

Research and monitoring

No specific incremental research and monitoring activities are expected under DNL

  • Research and monitoring measures supporting the Squanga whitefish species pair remain eligible for SARA grants and contributions and Canada-Yukon MOU funding
  • SARA agreements or permits may be issued to support research and monitoring work, subject to pre-conditions (s.73[3])
  • s.83(4) exemptions may be considered if activities are eligible per the recovery strategy

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