Important Marine Fish Stewardship Program for Species At Risk

September 2006 - For four years, Intervale has been conducting a stewardship and education project for marine species of fish that are listed as endangered or threatened in Canada. The project aims to help in the recovery of two species of wolffish, spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) and northern wolffish (A. denticulatus), currently listed as Threatened under Canada's Species at Risk Act, as well as the Atlantic, or striped, wolffish (A. lupus), currently listed as a Species of Special Concern. Numbers of all three wolffish species have declined off eastern Canada during the past two decades. Intervale is working closely with the National Recovery Team for Wolffish and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to ensure that the project addresses the primary objectives and strategies of the draft National Recovery Strategy for Wolffish. Funding for this project is provided by the Government of Canada Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Wolffish occur as bycatch in all types of fishing gear. Intervale has designed this project with fish harvesters in mind, since they are the people who interact directly with wolffish and who stand the most chance of influencing the species' recovery. They are also the people most affected by conservation measures. Striped wolffish are retained in some districts, while new regulations require live release for northern and spotted wolffish.

The project goal is to contribute to the recovery of two threatened wolffish species and one species of special concern in Eastern Canadian waters. The project objectives are to:
1) reduce mortality due to bycatch;
2) build knowledge, concern, and support for wolffish recovery;
3) encourage stewardship behaviour, especially among primary resource users.

Five action strategies for stewardship and education focus on targeted outreach, stewardship training, and mitigation of human impact.

Intervale President Dr. Kathleen Blanchard worked with the Fish, Food, and Allied Workers union and with Seawatch observers to inform enterprise owners and crew members about new regulations, recovery objectives, and to encourage stewardship practices including live release. Blanchard and project staff met approximately 800 fish harvesters across Newfoundland and southern Labrador. Intervale produced wolffish identification cards in English, French, and Inuktitut, most of which were distributed to fish harvesters and DFO offices throughout eastern Canada.

There are many challenges to encouraging stewardship behaviour for wolffish. Wolffish are lively when caught and it takes some skill to release them with least harm. Intervale is working with Memorial University of Newfoundland and other partners on the production of a DVD about wolffish and their habitats. Fish harvesters are complying with regulations and the word is spreading about Species at Risk.

For further information: info@intervale.ca

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