Implementing the Canadian Species at Risk Act: The Role of Science Advice for Freshwater Taxa

Scientific advice forms the foundation upon which effective decision making can be realized. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) provides this scientific advice through a peer-review process guided by the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. DFO Science plays a central role in the implementation of virtually all aspects of the Species at Risk Act. It is involved in the initial conservation assessment, the listing decision process, permitting decisions, and the development and implementation of recovery strategies and action plans. We strive to work with partners to focus research priorities on areas where scientific advice is needed. DFO Science conducts initial field assessments and writes many of the COSEWIC reports used to assess conservation status of species. Once a species is assessed by COSEWIC, DFO Science informs the listing decision process by compiling recovery potential assessments. In addition science advice in support of permitting and recovery strategy implementation include detection probability, sampling and salvage methods, investigating the effects of dredging, agricultural drain maintenance, lampricide application and wetland creation on fish and mussel species at risk. A general overview of these research topics and the process in which DFO Science is working with clients to provide more operationally useful scientific advice will be discussed.