Consultation document: Dolly Varden (Northern Form) 2012

Illustrations of Dolly Varden - a spawning male and a female. Illustrations © Joseph R. Tomelleri

As part of the consultation process, the Government of Canada would like to hear your comments on the potential impacts of listing Dolly Varden ( (Salvelinus malma) as “special concern” under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has prepared this summary to provide information on the status of this species in Canada.

Canada proclaimed the Species at Risk Act(SARA) in 2003 as part of a strategy to provide for the legal protection of wildlife species and the conservation of biological diversity.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), made up of independant experts, conducts assessments on the status of wildlife species and categorizes them according to their level of risk for extinction (extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, or special concern).

The Government of Canada considers COSEWIC’sassessment, in addition to potential socioeconomic impacts and feedback received from Canadians before deciding whether or not to include the species on the List of Wildlife Species at Risk under SARA.

Once listed, recovery strategies are prepared for extirpated, endangered, and threatened species. Management Plans are prepared for species of special concern. Species of special concern are not subject to automatic prohibitions.

The Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) belongs to the salmon and trout family (Salmonidae), with members that may be anadromous (use both seawater and freshwater during their lifecycle) or non-anadromous (freshwater only). There are two subspecies recognized in Canada - the northern form (S. malma malma) and the southern form (S. malma lordi). The southen form is not considered at risk.

Several different life history types of northern form Dolly Varden exist: i) anadromous (sea-run) types; ii) non-anadromous (freshwater) males that live alongside anadromous fish in the fall and winter; and iii) other non-anadromous types that are found above falls, a long distance from the sea, or in lakes.

The northern form of Dolly Varden is found in northeastern Eurasia and northwestern North America. In North America, the northern form ranges north from Bristol Bay along the north slope of Alaska and the Yukon Territory, and east to the Mackenzie River. In Canada, the northern form occurs in drainages that flow into the Beaufort Sea. Approximately five to 10 per cent of the global population exists within Canadian waters. Population sizes are largely unknown, with information limited to selected sites.

Distribution of the Western Arctic populations of Dolly Varden in Canada and Alaska

Dolly Varden (northern form) has been assessed by (COSEWIC) as a species of “special concern”. This is the lowest level of risk category and indicates that this species is not presently endangered, but is considered to be sensitive to human activities and natural events, due to biological factors and/or threats. If listed under SARA as “special concern”, Dolly Varden (northern form), will not be subject to prohibitions.

Climate change, particularly the trend towards drier and warmer climates in the Western Arctic, is a key concern. Lower water levels and reduced groundwater flow may have a dramatic impact on Dolly Varden habitat, particularly for spawning and overwintering. Other threats include overfishing, offshore development that impedes the migration and movements of Dolly Varden, and land-based industrial and infrastructure developments that impact freshwater system flows and water quality.

If Dolly Varden (northern form) is added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk as a species of “special concern”, it will not be subject to prohibitions under SARA; however Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be required to produce a Management Plan for the species in an effort to ensure that it does not become endangered due to human activity. The Management Plan will include conservation measures for the species and set goals and objectives for maintaining sustainable population levels.

An analysis of potential social and economic impacts of listing the Dolly Varden (northern form) will be conducted.

If Dolly Varden (northern form) is listed under SARA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will, in collaboration and consultation with stakeholders and partners, use the best available information to develop a Management Plan to address threats and help identify gaps in our knowledge of the species, so that necessary research can be undertaken to better inform future management decisions.

The Government of Canada would like your opinion on listing Dolly Varden (northern form) as “special concern"; under SARA, and on the impacts that listing would have on you, your industry, and/or the ecosystem. Your answers will be used to help decide whether or not to list the species under SARA:

  1. How would your activities be affected if Dolly Varden was listed as "special concern" ?
  2. What are the environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts of listing Dolly Varden ?
  3. Do you support listing Dolly Varden as "special concern"? Why or why not?
  4. Do you represent an industry, community, Aboriginal community or organization, or other group? If so, which one?

To submit your responses or to receive further information, please contact:

Species at Risk Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
501 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6
Email: fwisar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Toll-free: 1-866-538-1609

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