Government of Canada proposes listing several aquatic species under the Species at Risk Act
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 9, 2026 /CNW/ — Protecting and conserving Canada’s natural environment and wildlife is central to our national identity. The Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous peoples, stakeholders and all Canadians to protect and restore our critically important biodiversity.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced that the Government of Canada is proposing to add or reclassify 15 aquatic species populations under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
These proposed listings have been posted for a 30-day public comment period to invite any additional feedback from communities and stakeholders across the country.
Decisions to protect species under SARA are based on a range of considerations, including scientific assessments by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and other scientific advice; consultations with Indigenous communities, provinces and territories, industry, and the Canadian public; as well as an assessment of potential socio-economic impacts. Feedback from this comment period, along with comments from previous consultations will inform the recommendations for each listing decision.
The conservation and protection of aquatic species at risk is a shared responsibility. Fisheries and Oceans Canada remains committed to working collaboratively with Indigenous groups, provinces and territories, partners, stakeholders, and all Canadians to advance this important work.
List of Species:
- Eleven species are proposed to be added to Schedule 1 of SARA:
- Porbeagle; Darkblotched Rockfish; North Pacific Spiny Dogfish; two populations of Winter Skate (Eastern Scotian-Shelf – Newfoundland population and Gulf of St. Lawrence population); Smooth Skate (Laurentian-Scotian population); Basking Shark (Atlantic population); Spiny Dogfish (Atlantic population); River Darter (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations); and both species of Little Quarry Lake Threespine Stickleback.
- The proposed Order would also make changes to species already listed under SARA:
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- It would reclassify Warmouth from special concern to endangered, and Coastrange Sculpin (Cultus Lake population) from threatened to endangered, as well as, split the Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Eastslope Populations) into two new populations: the Missouri River populations and the Saskatchewan – Nelson River populations.
Quotes
“Canadians are a critical part of the conversation when it comes to protecting species at risk. People who live and work on the water see what is changing, and that knowledge helps shape listing decisions under the Species At Risk Act. Working together, we can protect more species and keep our waters healthy for future generations.”
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries
Quick Facts
- The Species at Risk Act (SARA), introduced in 2002, provides a legal framework for the management, protection and recovery of wildlife species.
- Additional information on the proposed addition and reclassification of these aquatic species under SARA is anticipated to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on October 10, 2026.
- Aquatic species listed under SARA benefit from the protections and required management and recovery planning that the Act provides, as applicable to their risk status. All Canadians are encouraged to support efforts to help preserve these species.
- The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is an independent, science-based committee that identifies and designates species at risk and is made up of wildlife experts and scientists from Indigenous communities; federal, provincial and territorial governments; universities; and non-government organizations.
- For each species assessed as at risk by COSEWIC, SARA requires the Governor in Council to decide whether to list, not list, or refer back to COSEWIC for further consideration or additional information.
- While the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature is responsible for the overall administration of SARA, the Minister of Fisheries is the competent minister for aquatic species under SARA.
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada
