The Species at Risk ActTo ensure the survival of wildlife species in CanadaIn June 2002, Canada adopted the Species at Risk Act, also known as SARA. The Act, which has been in force since June 2003 is aimed at:
SARA prohibits the hunting, capture, harassment or harming of all species that have disappeared, are endangered or are threatened and are on the List of Wildlife Species at Risk (annex 1 of the SARA). The possession, collection, purchase, sale or exchange of individuals, parts of individuals or products of these species is also forbidden. SARA also prohibits the damaging or destruction of the residence or any element of the essential habitat of these species. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is an independent consultative organization made up of experts who determine the situation of species and grant species status. Following COSEWIC evaluation, the government decides whether or not to add a species to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk by considering the economic and social repercussions such a decision may have on Canadians. If it is added to the List, the species is protected by virtue of SARA. Recovery programmes for species that have disappeared, are endangered or are threatened and management plans for species of special concern must then be elaborated. Three species of St. Lawrence whales are presently included on the List of Wildlife Species at Risk: the North Atlantic right whale, the blue whale (endangered) and the beluga (threatened). One species already on the list—the walrus—has disappeared from the St. Lawrence, but is still present in the Canadian Arctic. The harbour porpoise and the northern bottlenose whale are presently under evaluation for eventual inclusion on the List, while the fin whale is likely to be included in coming years. Three federal Ministers are responsible for the administration of SARA. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for aquatic species at risk. The Minister of Canadian Heritage (through the Parks Canada Agency) is responsible for species at risk in national parks, national historic sites and other marine protected heritage areas. The Minister of the Environment is responsible for all other species at risk as well as for the administration of the Act. SARA comes within the scope of the Canadian strategy for the protection of species at risk along with other programmes such as the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, which finances conservation projects. I want to know moreRead current events |