Endangered Species

The Ottawa River watershed is home to an amazing abundance of flora and fauna. However, habitat threats, including the introduction of invasive species, development, and pollution from residential and industrial sources, have resulted in population declines for several native species. Though a number of these are listed as threatened or endangered both provincially and/or federally, there is still much to be done to ensure their protection and recovery.

The Issue

The Ottawa River watershed is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including many species that have been designated as at risk by the governments of Canada, Ontario or Quebec. These designations fall under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, and Quebec’s Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species. Once a species is recognized as endangered under any of these acts, it becomes legally entitled to protections and recovery action within the act’s jurisdiction. 

Ensuring the protection and recovery of species at risk is not without challenges. From an ecological perspective, the interconnected nature of wildlife within an ecosystem can make it difficult to take adequate and appropriate measures. For example, species like the hickorynut (a freshwater mussel), have life cycles that are dependent on another animal for reproduction and survival.  Such cases mean that the best protection efforts for one species may involve efforts to support others that may or may not be considered at risk themselves, making government intervention less likely.

Socio-economic priorities can also hinder the protection of certain species at risk, notably fish. One of the principal threats to a number of the threatened fish in the Ottawa River watershed is the introduction of large-scale hydroelectric dams, which contribute to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as act as a physical barrier for migratory fish such as the American eel. In addition to hydroelectric power generation, commercial fishing can also contribute to species declines if not carefully monitored to ensure sustainability. 

Lastly, and possibly the greatest issue regarding protecting species at risk in the Ottawa River watershed, is the limited collaboration between the various legal authorities. With three governments responsible for assessing species at risk in our watershed, it can be quite challenging to enact and enforce protection measures for many species at risk. This is particularly true for those species that are listed as endangered in Canada but not in either Ontario or Quebec, or are listed in one province but not the other. Since plants and animals do not acknowledge human borders, without collaborative efforts on the part of all authorities in the watershed it can be almost impossible to adequately address and take action to protect many of our watershed’s most vulnerable species.

How Are We Helping?

Over the years Ottawa Riverkeeper has worked to increase awareness for species at risk living in the watershed. Through outreach efforts and participation in recovery measures we have, and continue to, collaborate with other organizations to address the issue of declining species populations. Some of this work includes our awareness campaign for the federally endangered hickorynut and its host fish lake sturgeon, as well as participation in trap-and-transfer programs for the American eel. As a member of the Advisory Council for the Fisheries Management Plan for the Ottawa River, we are working alongside other key fishery users and representatives from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) and Quebec’s Ministry of Flora, Fauna and Parks (MFFP), to ensure sustainable fisheries and address recovery efforts for fish species at risk like the American eel and lake sturgeon. 

Take Action:

Every day residents of the watershed can do their part to protect species at risk by protecting the shoreline habitats that are critical to their survival. Hosting a group or solo shoreline cleanup using our iCleanup app is one way you can do your part to help protect shoreline habitats. 

Our Boat Wash Pledge offers another opportunity for paddlers, boaters and other watercraft users to show their commitment to protecting critical habitats in the Ottawa River by washing their boats and equipment to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.  

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