Canada’s Species at Risk Act and Atlantic Salmon: Cascade of Promises, Trickles of Protection, Sea of Challenges

• Main Authors: VanderZwaag, David, Engler Palma, Maria Cecilia, Hutchings, Jeffrey
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Schulich Law Scholars 2011
• Subjects: Species at Risk Act; salmon; environment; North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization; extinction; Bay of Fundy; Environmental Law; Inner Bay; Atlantic salmon; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.schulichlaw.dal.ca/scholarly_works/516; https://digitalcommons.schulichlaw.dal.ca/context/scholarly_works/article/1510/viewcontent/SSRN_id2126177.pdf

This article reviews through a three-part format the role and efficacy of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in trying to save SARA-listed inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) Atlantic salmon and other Atlantic salmon populations at risk from the brink of extinction. The cascade of SARA promises is first discussed, including: the independent assessment of the status of the species based on best available scientific information; the protection of listed species, their residences and critical habitat; and the two-stage recovery planning process. The trickles of protection actually delivered by SARA in relation to Atlantic salmon are next described, including the recent adoption of a Recovery Strategy and identification of critical freshwater habitat. The sea of challenges in implementing SARA and in strengthening the protective net outside SARA is finally highlighted. Particular challenges include: overcoming the slow implementation of the Act; addressing scientific limitations of the Recovery Strategy; forging a clear agenda for recovery actions; confronting limitations in incidental harm permitting; protecting critical habitat; getting a grip on protection and recovery of other Atlantic salmon populations at risk; bolstering environmental assessment; enhancing provincial engagement in recovery efforts; ensuring full implementation of Canada’s Oceans Act; and charting future directions for the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization.