List of Wildlife Species at Risk (referral back to COSEWIC) Order (SI/2013-28)

The Humpback Whale (North Pacific population) is currently listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act. The status of this population of the species was reassessed by COSEWIC as Special Concern in May 2011. The lower risk designation is a result of recent analyses that indicate an increasing trend in abundance. In the course of consultations carried out between November 2011 and January 2012, a number of concerns were raised with regard to the structure of the designatable unit in Canada. Some species experts expressed concerns that key data pertaining to the structure of the designatable unit was not considered by COSEWIC. In the view of these species experts, such data would justify the identification of two designatable units in Canada. While Fisheries and Oceans Canada (“DFO”) has not produced scientific advice on this matter, this species is referred back to COSEWIC for further consideration. DFO is committed to working with COSEWIC on this matter.

The Eulachon (Nass River and Skeena River population) was assessed by COSEWIC as Threatened in May 2011. This short-lived species reproduces just once in its lifetime, and is extremely rich in fats. It spends over 95% of its life in the marine environment. Recent data from the Nass River and Skeena River indicates that the Eulachon population is declining and the level of abundance in adjacent areas has declined substantially in recent years. COSEWIC has advised that, due to new information that was not available when it assessed the status of the Eulachon (Nass River and Skeena River population), this status now needs to be reassessed. In light of the need for consideration of new data, this population of the species is referred back to COSEWIC for further consideration.