Marine fish, local ecological knowledge, and the Species at Risk Act in Canada: lessons from a case study of three species of wolfish

Abstract

At a time when commercial fish stocks are overexploited around the globe, it is paramount that measures are taken to protect those species most at risk. Many countries throughout the world have legislation in place to assess and protect species in danger of extinction. In Canada, departments associated with the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and members of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada (COSEWIC) work in conjunction to assess and protect species at risk. But this was not always the case. Although COSEWIC was created in 1977, SARA was not passed until 2003. Prior to 2003, COSEWIC could designate indigenous wildlife species in Canada as at risk, but there was no legal mechanism in place to support action in response to such a listing.