Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), St. Lawrence estuary population: critical habitat description

The Recovery Strategy for the Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas), St. Lawrence Estuary Population in Canada, published in the Species at Risk Public Registry, identifies the critical habitat of the Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas), St. Lawrence Estuary population, including a portion in the Île aux Basques Bird Sanctuary, as described in Part V of the Schedule to the Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations made pursuant to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and the Îles de l’Estuaire National Wildlife Area, as described in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Wildlife Area Regulations made pursuant to the Canada Wildlife Act.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to subsection 58(2) of the Species at Risk Act, subsection 58(1) of that Act applies, 90 days after the date of publication of this description, to that portion of the critical habitat of the Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas), St. Lawrence Estuary population, that is identified in section 2.4 of the Recovery Strategy for the Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas), St. Lawrence Estuary Population in Canada and is located in the Île aux Basques Bird Sanctuary and the Îles de l’Estuaire National Wildlife Area.

April 21, 2016

HUNTER TOOTOO
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans