Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish complex and longspine thorny management plan 2012: appendix 3

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Appendix III: Record of Cooperation and Consultation

The Rougheye/Blackspotted Rockfish Complex and Longspine Thornyhead were listed as species of special concern under Schedule I of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). As an aquatic species, they fall under federal jurisdiction, and are managed by both Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and by the Minister of the Environment (as competent Minister for Parks Canada Agency under SARA). DFO established a small internal working group of technical experts to develop the initial draft of this management plan. See section 6 of this document for a list of technical team members.

In October 2010, DFO held a technical workshop with the Groundfish Integrated Advisory Board (GIAB) to develop the management goal and objectives for the conservation of these species. Participants included individuals from First Nations, the commercial groundfish industry, recreational sector, environmental non-governmental organization, Province of British Columbia, Parks Canada Agency, and internal DFO staff.

Letters were sent out to all coastal First Nations to solicit participation in the development of the Management Plan. The draft management plan was sent to Parks Canada Agency, Environment Canada, and the Province of British Columbia for review and comment.

This draft management plan was posted to the DFO Pacific Region Consultation website for a public comment period from March 25 to April 28, 2011. These consultations were web-based and included mail-outs to all coastal First Nations soliciting input and feedback on the draft management plan. The mail-outs to First Nations were followed up by email and fax; no comments on the document were received. An initial draft of the management plan, along with a discussion guide and feedback form was made available online. Notification of this consultation period was also sent by electronic mail to several Departmental advisory committees including GIAB, Halibut Advisory Board (HAB), Sablefish Advisory Committee (SAC), Groundfish Trawl Advisory Committee (GTAC), Groundfish Hook & Line Advisory Committee (GHLAC), and the Sports Fish Advisory Board (SFAB). A written response was received from the SAC. All feedback received during this consultation period has been incorporated into the final management plan.