Species at risk in Canada: Lessons learned from the listing of three species of wolffish

The Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) was implemented in 2003. Since 2003, no fully marine Atlantic Canadian fish species has been listed and some observers are seriously questioning the extent to which SARA is effectively protecting marine fish species. Three species of wolffish found in North Atlantic waters were placed onto the SARA list in 2003 when it was implemented. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) originally listed these species in 2000 and 2001. The COSEWIC listings were based on catch-rate trends over large spatial scales from a relatively short time series of offshore research vessel survey data and status reports derived from research for an honours thesis. This case study of the wolffish listings draws on results from semi-structured interviews with key informants familiar with the listing and post-listing events, an analysis of existing documents and research on the SARA process, and on data from wolffish-focused Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) interviews with commercial fish harvesters in the Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The results shed light on the wolffish listing process including perceptions of how the implementation of SARA has affected the process and prospects for listing fully marine species. The post-SARA listing developments in relation to wolffish, including harvesters' views about the listing are also explored. The results indicate mixed views about the benefits and problems associated with the requirement for public consultations and incorporation of stakeholder knowledge into the listing process under SARA. There is some evidence that the wolffish listing process has increased harvester stewardship and engagement and benefitted from their input into the safe release of wolffish. Finally, little attention has been paid by any of the stakeholder groups consulted to the potential future delisting of wolffish, arguably the most important goal of species conservation initiatives. Without delisting requirements or timelines set out in a species recovery plan it is impossible to establish concrete guidelines for recovery.