Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News
The Newsletter of the Great Lakes
Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund
The Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News is the newsletter of the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund, published five times per year. The News is intended to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas among citizens and organizations working to protect aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes Basin.
Volume 14, Number 5 • Winter 2006
Lake Erie
Basin Update - Ontario Side
Recovery Strategy for Fish at Risk of the Essex-Erie Region
By Shawn Staton, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
A comprehensive, ecosystem-based recovery strategy for fish
species at risk has recently been drafted for a large region of
southwestern Ontario. The Essex-Erie Recovery Strategy
includes the drainages of Lake Erie west of the Grand River
watershed, the land draining into the Detroit River, and the land
draining into Lake St. Clair west of the Thames River watershed.
This project complements existing watershed-based recovery
programs in southern Ontario (for the Sydenham, Ausable,
Thames, and Grand Rivers) that aim to preserve freshwater
biodiversity in priority watersheds of the Carolinian zone.
The ecosystem approach taken by the Essex-Erie Recovery Team*
in the development of the strategy is particularly suited for the
species-rich watersheds of southern Ontario. With 18 fishes at
risk found within the study area threatened predominantly by
land use, a multi-species approach provides an ecologically
sound and cost-effective solution, which allows stakeholders to
participate in a single planning exercise for all species. The
fishes at risk known from the study area, include two species
listed as Endangered (pugnose shiner and northern madtom),
five as Threatened (eastern sand darter, lake chubsucker, spotted
gar, black redhorse and channel darter) and 11 species listed as
Special Concern. A substantial portion of the Canadian range of
several species occurs within the study area.
In preparation for the development of the Recovery Strategy, the
Recovery Team collected and synthesized existing information
essential to understanding the various watersheds and their
associated species: species at risk (trends in distribution over
time, habitat needs and threats), the physical environment and
land use, and water quality conditions. The resulting recovery
strategy addresses the recovery needs for all 18 fishes at risk, but
places the highest conservation priority on Endangered and
Threatened species. Several primary core areas were identified
based on the presence of existing populations of high priority
fishes at risk. Coastal wetland habitats, including Point Pelee,
Rondeau Bay and Long Point Bay supporting populations of
spotted gar and lake chubsucker are particularly significant.
Other primary core areas include the Detroit River, the south
shore of Lake St. Clair and Big Creek (Long Point Region).
Recovery actions to reduce identified threats, such as habitat
loss and sediment and nutrient loading within the drainages
of these primary core areas, have been given highest priority
within the recovery strategy.
The Recovery Team is wasting no time getting to work on
implementation of the recovery strategy. Already, a Stewardship
Working Group has been formed and funds have been obtained
through the Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship
Program for Species at Risk. Working Group partners, including
conservation authorities and county stewardship councils are
working with landowners in priority areas to improve habitat
conditions for fishes at risk. Stewardship projects, such as
riparian plantings, livestock exclusion and soil erosion reduction,
can reduce nutrient and sediment inputs and improve water and
habitat quality. Although initial funding for the project is
modest, the Working Group is actively seeking additional funds
and hopes to attract greater community involvement in the
future. Anyone interested in getting involved should contact
their local conservation authority or stewardship council.
*The Essex-Erie Recovery Team is co-chaired by Fisheries and
Oceans Canada and the Essex Region Conservation Authority
with representation from Kettle Creek, Catfish Creek, Long Point
Region and Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authorities.
Other partners include the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources, Environment Canada, University of Windsor, Elgin
Stewardship Committee, Essex County Stewardship Network,
Stewardship Kent, Point Pelee National Park, Rondeau Provincial
Park and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
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