Alberta Fish Listed as Species at Risk

Athabasca Rainbow Trout

Alberta fish proposed to be listed as species at risk. Recently, the federal government proposed listing several fish species on the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The proposed Order would involve the addition or reclassification of 32 aquatic species, including Bull Trout and Athabasca Rainbow Trout in Alberta. These species join a growing list of imperiled freshwater organisms across the country and around the world.

Bull Trout were assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), an independent advisory panel to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, in November 2012. Bull Trout are divided into a few different populations based on the watershed they occupy so that each of these populations could be assessed separately. For example, in Alberta, the Saskatchewan – Nelson population (which includes the Oldman, Bow, Red Deer, and North Saskatchewan river systems) is assessed as Threatened while the Western Arctic population (which includes the Peace and Athabasca river systems) is assessed as Special Concern.

Athabasca Rainbow Trout, the only native population of Rainbow Trout in Alberta, was assessed as Endangered by COSEWIC in 2014. This population of Rainbow Trout resides in the cold, clear streams of the upper Athabasca River system in Alberta. From the COSEWIC assessment report: “Quantitative sampling over the last two decades demonstrates that the majority of sites are declining in abundance with an estimate of >90% decline over three generations (15 years).”

TUC and the Alberta Wilderness Association responded to the proposed listing encouraging the federal government to move forward with listing and recovery actions for these species. In addition, TUC National, as well as the Northern Lights Fly Fishers Chapter and other individual members have recently written the federal government also encouraging the listing and providing additional recommendations. These letters can be viewed here:

Trout Unlimited Canada Northern Lights Fly Fishers

Although public consultations have already occurred associated with the recommendation of listing these species, the federal government is currently accepting comments on the proposed Order until April 22. Visit the Canada Gazette publication for more information.