Northern Bottlenose Whale (Scotian Shelf Population)

SPECIES AT RISK ACT

Legal listing consultation workbook

Northern Bottlenose Whale – Scotian Shelf Population (Hyperoodon ampullatus) Aussi disponible en français

Addition of species to the Species at Risk Act

Introductory Information the Act is Schedule 1, the list of the The Species at Risk Act species that receive protection under The Species at Risk Act (SARA) SARA, commonly referred to as the strengthens and enhances the ‘SARA list’. Government of Canada’s capacity to protect Canadian wildlife species, The existing SARA list reflects the subspecies and distinct populations that 233 species the Committee on the Status are at risk of becoming Extinct or of Endangered Wildlife in Canada Extirpated. The Act applies only to (COSEWIC) had assessed and found to species on the SARA list. be at risk at the time of the reintroduction of SARA to the House of th Openness and transparency, including Commons on October 9 , 2002. public consultation, is required in making decisions about which species For more information on Species at Risk should be included on the SARA list. visit www.sararegistry.gc.ca The process begins with the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Role of COSEWIC Canada (COSEWIC) assessing a species COSEWIC comprises experts on as being at risk. Upon receipt of these wildlife species at risk. Their assessments, the Minister of the backgrounds are in the fields of biology, Environment, in consultation with the ecology, genetics, aboriginal traditional Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has knowledge and other relevant fields, and 90 days to report on how he or she they come from various communities, intends to respond to the assessment and including government, academia, to the extent possible, provide timelines Aboriginal organizations and non- for action. Subsequent to the government organizations. consultative process, a recommendation to the Governor in Council on whether Initially, COSEWIC commissions a to add certain species to the SARA list Status Report for the evaluation of the or to refer them back to COSEWIC is conservation status of a species. To be generated. Once a species is added to the accepted, status reports must be peer- SARA list, specific actions must be reviewed and approved by a taken within specified time periods to subcommittee of species specialists. In help ensure that species’ protection and special circumstances assessments can recovery. be done on an emergency basis.

Public Consultation COSEWIC then meets to examine the The Government of Canada proclaimed status report, discuss the species and the Species at Risk Act on June 5, 2003 determine whether or not the species is as part of its strategy for the protection at risk, and if so, assess the level of risk. of wildlife species at risk. Attached to For more information on COSEWIC visit www.cosewic.gc.ca

Terms used to define the degree of involvement is integral to the processes risk to a species of listing species as being at risk and The degree of risk is categorized protecting Canadian wildlife. The according to the terms Extirpated, best way to secure the survival of Endangered, Threatened and Special species at risk and their habitats is Concern. A species is assessed by through the active participation of all COSEWIC as Extirpated when it is no those concerned. As such, your longer found in the wild in Canada but comments on this document will be still exists elsewhere. It is Endangered if given serious consideration. it is facing imminent extirpation or extinction. An assessment of Purpose of the consultation Threatened means that the species is Having received the COSEWIC likely to become Endangered if nothing assessment of the species’ status, the is done to reverse the factors leading to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans must its extirpation or extinction. COSEWIC provide the Minister of the Environment assesses a species as Special Concern if with a recommendation to the Governor it may become a Threatened or in Council. This recommendation must Endangered species because of a be one of the following: combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. a) that the COSEWIC assessment be accepted and the species be added to New Assessments the SARA list; Since October 9th, 2002, COSEWIC has b) that the species not be added to the assessed or reassessed additional species SARA list; or as being at risk, making them eligible for c) that the species be referred back to addition to the SARA list. Of these, COSEWIC for further information or aquatic species are the responsibility of consideration. the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and terrestrial species are the The Government of Canada is required responsibility of Environment Canada. to take one of these actions within nine Responsibility for species that occur in months of the Governor in Council parks administered by the Parks Canada having received the assessment from the Agency (both terrestrial and aquatic) is Minister of the Environment. shared between the Parks Canada Agency and either Environment Canada COSEWIC bases its assessments solely or the Department of Fisheries and on the biological status of each species. Oceans. However, consultation with Canadians regarding the potential social and For more information on the economic impacts of the addition of each Environment Canada consultations species to the SARA list will occur please see the SARA Public Registry: before the Government of Canada arrives at informed decisions on listing. www.sararegistry.gc.ca Of particular interest in these consultations is the identification of the SARA has been designed to conserve benefits and costs of adding each of the Canadian wildlife species and the species to the list relative to the potential habitats that support them. Public

3 impacts on these species and on society SARA list depends upon the degree of of not adding them. risk assigned to that species.

Therefore, before the government Protection for listed Extirpated, makes decisions regarding the SARA Endangered and Threatened species list, affected Canadians will have the Under the Act, prohibitions protect opportunity to express their views and individuals of Extirpated, Endangered concerns. This consultation allows those and Threatened species. These affected to contribute to the government prohibitions make it an offence to kill, decision-making process. harm, harass, capture or take an individual of a species listed as Role and impact of public consultation Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened, The results of this public consultation or to damage or destroy the residence of are of great relevance to the entire one or more individuals (and the critical process of listing species at risk. The habitat, if and when identified) of an comments received will be carefully Endangered or a Threatened species. The reviewed and evaluated. They will then Act also makes it an offence to possess, be documented in a Regulatory Impact collect, buy, sell or trade an individual of Analysis Statement (RIAS). The RIAS is a species that is Extirpated, Endangered an integral part of the federal regulatory or Threatened or a part or derivative of process and is published with all one. These prohibitions come into force regulatory proposals in the Canada when a species is listed on Schedule 1 of Gazette Part I. the SARA.

Following initial consultations, a draft The focus of protection will be on those Order (an instrument that serves notice species for which the federal of a decision taken by the executive arm government has direct legal authority. of government) proposing to list all or The protection will be in force for all some of the species under consideration listed birds protected under the will be prepared. This draft Order will be Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 published along with the RIAS in the and for listed aquatic species. The Canada Gazette Part I for a comment prohibitions will also apply to all listed period. Based on the outcome of the species on federal lands. comment period, a recommendation to the Governor in Council on whether to For all other listed Endangered, add certain species to the SARA list or Threatened and Extirpated species, the to refer them back to COSEWIC will be provinces and territories have the generated. The final decision will be responsibility to ensure that they receive published in Canada Gazette Part II and adequate protection. on the Public Registry. Exceptions to the prohibitions on aquatic Significance of the addition of a species may be authorized by the species to the SARA list Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, provided that the survival or recovery of The protection that comes into effect the species is not jeopardised. The following the addition of a species to the Ministers may enter into agreements or

4 issue permits only for (1) research plans will include measures to address relating to the conservation of a species threats, help the species recover and or (2) for activities that benefit a listed protect critical habitat. Measures to species or enhance its chances of implement the recovery strategy will survival or (3) that incidentally affect a also be identified in the action plan. listed species. Recovery strategies and action plans will Protection for listed species of Special be prepared in cooperation with Concern aboriginal organizations, responsible The prohibitions of SARA for species jurisdictions, and relevant management listed as Extirpated, Endangered and boards directly affected by them. Threatened will not apply to species of Stakeholders affected by the recovery Special Concern; however any existing strategy will also be consulted. protections and prohibitions, such as those authorized by the Migratory Birds Management plans for Species of Convention Act or the Canada National Special Concern Parks Act, continue to be in force. For species of Special Concern, management plans will be prepared and Recovery strategies and action plans made available on the Public Registry for Extirpated, Endangered and within three years of their addition to the Threatened species SARA list, allowing for public review The addition of an Extirpated, and comment. Management plans will Endangered or Threatened species to the include appropriate conservation SARA list triggers the requirement for measures for the species and for its the preparation of a recovery strategy habitat. and action plan which will be the subject of separate consultations. Management plans will be prepared in cooperation with aboriginal Recovery strategies will be completed organizations, responsible jurisdictions, and made available on the SARA Public and relevant management boards directly Registry to allow for public review and affected by them. Stakeholders affected comment, within one year for by the management plan will also be Endangered and within two years for consulted. Threatened and Extirpated newly listed species. Public comments on the addition of species to the SARA list Recovery strategies will address the The species described in this workbook known threats to the species and its has been assessed or reassessed by habitat. They will identify areas where COSEWIC as a species at risk, and is more research is needed and population being considered for addition to the objectives that will help ensure the SARA list. Please complete the survey species’ survival or recovery, and will beginning on page 11 and return in include a statement of the timeframe. person or by regular mail to the address Recovery strategies and action plans will below. In order to consider your identify, to the extent possible, the comments, responses are required no critical habitat of the species. Action later than October 29th, 2004.

Species at Risk Coordination Office than 800 metres and they are rarely seen Bedford Institute of Oceanography in shallower areas. Although there have P.O. Box 1006 been few systematic marine mammal 1 Challenger Drive surveys in the offshore waters of Dartmouth, NS Atlantic Canada, there are several known B2Y 4A2 centres of abundance, two of which are found off Canada – the edge of the Alternatively, please e-mail your Scotian Shelf and the Davis Strait. The comments (with the species name in the Scotian Shelf population is described as subject line) to largely or totally distinct from the Labrador population. For example, the [email protected] whales of the Scotian Shelf population are approximately 0.7 m shorter than the or complete the electronic version of this population seen off northern Labrador. survey at At the edge of the Scotian Shelf, the whales have been seen regularly in three www.sararegistry.gc.ca submarine canyons: the Gully, Shortland Canyon, and Haldimand Canyon. These Your comments will be reviewed and areas are described as the “primary used to consider whether or not to place habitat” of the whales with year-round each species on the SARA list. observations. The Scotian Shelf represents the most southerly location Species specific information where the whales are seen regularly in the North Atlantic. Northern bottlenose whale – Scotian Bottlenose whales feed primarily on Shelf Population deep-living squid from the genus The northern bottlenose whale is a 6-9 m Gonatus. These squid appear to be the long member of the beaked whale most important component of their diet, family. A bulbous or melon-like but the whales also feed on other forehead rises abruptly from the short animals. Northern bottlenose whales beak in adult females; in young and observed in the Gully appear to spend older males the forehead is less most of their time at great depths prominent and appears flat. The whale is foraging for food. variable in colour, ranging from blackish in young animals, to light brown in older Once whales dive deeper than the reach animals, to yellowish brown or grey of sunlight, vision is of little use for (with whitish beaks and heads) in very navigation. Bottlenose whales have old males. The small dorsal fin is highly developed vocalizing and hearing situated about two-thirds of the length of abilities that permit them to the body from the nose. Adult females communicate, navigate, and locate prey give birth once every two years after a in canyons and other deep areas. gestation period of one year. Northern bottlenose whales are social animals. They are most frequently seen The northern bottlenose whale is found in small groups of up to four whales and only in the North Atlantic. In the areas occasionally in larger groups of up to where they are found, the water is deeper twenty whales. They are curious

6 animals who may investigate slow- whales. These include commercial moving or stationary vessels. shipping, hydrocarbon exploration and development, military activity,

underwater detonations, fishing, and COSEWIC assessment research. Based on the global COSEWIC provides the experience with other marine mammals, following rationale for responses to high levels of designating the Scotian Shelf anthropogenic noise are mixed and may population of the northern include habituation, behavioural changes bottlenose whale as endangered: (including displacement), temporary or This population totals about 130 permanent hearing impairment, and individuals and appears to be mortality. Evidence of these impacts on currently stable. Oil and gas marine mammals in the wild is lacking. development in and around the Other species of beaked whales have prime habitat of this population experienced harmful effects from loud poses the greatest threat and will noise, suggesting that the northern likely reduce the quality of their bottlenose whale may be particularly habitat. However, there is little susceptible. The cumulative effects of information as to how this multiple noise exposure may have long- species is, or is not, affected by term population-level effects for marine oil and gas development mammals such as the northern activities. bottlenose whale.

Threats to the northern bottlenose Seismic exploration whale – Scotian Shelf Population The oil and gas industry uses The Scotian Shelf population of northern compressed air guns that emit sound bottlenose whales was targeted by pulses to map areas of subsea whalers in the 1960s. This whaling effort hydrocarbon deposits. Research is thought to have led to a decline in the geologists also use airgun technology to population size. study the seabed. The behavioural and physical responses of northern Current threats to the northern bottlenose bottlenose whales to airgun sounds are whale are poorly understood. However, not understood, but seismic surveys are because of the small size of the thought to be a threat to this species. For population, even activities that may example, surveys could cause the impact only one or two whales each year displacement of northern bottlenose may pose a threat to the overall health of whales from preferred habitat. The the population. likelihood and severity of biological effects that might result from being Noise exposed to seismic sounds are thought to vary with the duration and intensity of There are a variety of potential sources exposure. In recent years, seismic of anthropogenic noise in the marine exploration has occurred near the waters of the Scotian Shelf that produce whale’s “primary habitat”, with the underwater sounds within the frequency potential for future activities in or near range detectable by northern bottlenose these areas.

Noise is also created by oil and gas there have been observations of scars exploratory drilling and production and marks on the beaks and backs of this activities, with unknown impacts on the species that are similar to entanglement northern bottlenose whale. marks on other whale species. These marks suggest that interactions,

particularly with gear that deploy lines, Sonars may happen more frequently than has Sonars have been developed for military, been observed. research, and commercial purposes (e.g., fish-finding). Strandings and deaths of Ship Strikes several species of beaked whales after Many vessels transit areas occupied by the use of military sonars have been northern bottlenose whales. Ship strikes reported in other parts of the world in are a source of injury and death for some recent years. The precise mechanisms species of endangered and threatened that might cause such strandings are whales and may be a threat to this unknown, but it has been suggested that species as well. There are some scars or sonars may cause disorientation after marks on the whales that may be due to which the whales surface too quickly. interactions with vessels, but there have

been no reported cases of injury or Explosives death. Explosives, such as those used in well- severance and other underwater Contaminants demolition operations, can cause Increased levels of contaminants in areas physiological damage to whales and typically frequented by whales can lead other marine life close to the source. to elevated levels of organo-chlorine and Hearing damage is a concern for whales heavy metal contaminants in their body that use sound to navigate or to find tissues. High levels of contaminants due food. Explosions that occur at a distance to industrial development have may change the behaviour of whales. negatively affected the health of some

whale populations in Canada, for Commercial shipping example, the beluga whale population in

the St. Lawrence River. However, there The propellers of large commercial is no published information specific to vessels can produce relatively high contaminants in northern bottlenose levels of underwater sound. This sound whales. may disturb the northern bottlenose whales resulting in displacement or reduced feeding efficiency until the Concerns have been raised about the vessel moves away. potential for contaminants from activities such as oil and gas installations

and shipping traffic affecting northern Entanglement in Fishing Gear bottlenose whales. Ingestion of marine A small number of northern bottlenose debris, such as plastics, has also been whales have been seen entangled or identified as a potential concern. interacting with fishing gear. In addition,

portion of the MPA, but research Protecting the northern bottlenose activities may be approved. whale – Scotian Shelf population Potential Impacts on Stakeholders The Marine Mammal Regulations (SOR Once added to the List of Wildlife 93-56) of the Fisheries Act govern many Species at Risk, the Scotian Shelf aspects of the management of the population of the northern bottlenose northern bottlenose whale. whale will be protected. If particular activities are assessed to be a threat to Several additional management the survival and recovery of a listed measures are already in place to protect species, management measures will be this species. In 1994, the Department of put in place to limit those activities and Fisheries and Oceans designated a ensure the protection of species at risk. "Whale Sanctuary" in the Gully for the northern bottlenose whale in the These measures may lead to a variety of Canadian Notices to Mariners, providing impacts on stakeholders, including guidelines for all marine vessels additional costs. The following list is operating in the area. not exhaustive, and would be developed further during the recovery planning In the mid-1990s, the Department of process in consultation with other Fisheries and Oceans began government departments and the public. consultations and studies to evaluate a Please use this consultation as an marine protected area for the Gully. opportunity to comment on omissions. Interim protection was put in place at that time, including restrictions on Aboriginal petroleum activities in the area. As well, enhanced environmental assessment Aboriginal peoples will be invited to requirements for activities potentially participate in the development of a affecting northern bottlenose whales recovery strategy for the northern were put in place to identify and bottlenose whale. Management minimize potential impacts. strategies that could affect aboriginal people fishing for commercial species in Some oil and gas operators have areas inhabited by northern bottlenose instituted their own “Codes of Practice” whales may be considered. for the Gully in order to minimize operational impacts on the whales. Fishing Industry

In May 2004, the Gully was designated a If a particular fishing activity is Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the identified to be a threat to the survival Oceans Act. The regulations limit the and recovery of a listed species, type of activities permitted in the Gully. management measures will be taken to The MPA provides full ecosystem address the threat. These measures protection in the central portion of the could include increased observer canyon, an area of known importance to coverage in certain areas, closed areas, the northern bottlenose whale. No gear modifications, or other measures extractive activities are permitted in this developed in collaboration with industry that will help prevent and minimize the

9 effects of potential entanglements and types and/or durations of research interactions. permitted and may lengthen the preparation time required for planning Oil and Gas Industry research projects. All research activity

will be subject to a rigorous review Certain oil and gas activities, such as process. Research activities in the Gully seismic exploration activity, have been require additional approvals under the identified as potential threats to the MPA regulations. recovery of this species. Such activities will be reviewed and may be restricted in areas defined as critical habitat (if and Marine Transport when identified). The recovery process The marine transport industry and could identify a range of operational regulators may be asked to develop requirements and guidelines for guidelines for vessel traffic, similar to exploration. These guidelines might those currently in place for the Gully. include time and area exclusions, The industry may be asked to monitor requirements for marine mammal and report on their activities in northern observers, and other measures deemed bottlenose whale areas. appropriate. Proposed oil and gas activities that fall under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) Eco-tourism/Whale Watching will need to address the impacts on Although ecotourism activities in the SARA listed species in accordance with offshore have been limited to date, there this legislation. may be future interest in regularly

visiting areas frequented by northern Military Operations bottlenose whales. This activity may

require specific guidelines or may be Maritime Forces Atlantic may be asked to prepare guidelines for exercises or restricted or limited in areas identified as underwater site remediation in areas of critical habitat. northern bottlenose whale habitat. They may be asked to refrain from References undertaking specific types of exercises COSEWIC 2002. COSEWIC assessment in these areas or in areas that could and update status report on the northern impinge on critical habitat (if and when bottlenose whale Hyperoodon identified). As identified in SARA, ampullatus (Scotian Shelf population) in these requirements would be waived in Canada. Committee on the Status of emergencies or if national security were Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. affected. vi + 22 pp.

The Gully Marine Protected Area Research Activity Regulations, Canada Gazette Vol. 138, Those wishing to carry out research on No. 10 (SOR/2004-112 May, 2004) the northern bottlenose whale or in areas of their critical habitat (if and when Canadian Coast Guard, 2004 Annual identified) will be required to comply Edition - Notices to Mariners (Ottawa: with strict guidelines. This may limit the Department of Fisheries and Oceans)

Consultation Workbook Survey Northern Bottlenose Whale (Scotian Shelf Population)

The government's decision on whether or not to list a species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) will be based on a full description and understanding of the costs and benefits of the impacts of protection and recovery on individuals, organizations, First Nations, industries, and Canadian society in general.

This survey form can be used to provide your opinions about listing the Scotian Shelf population of northern bottlenose whale under SARA. It also begins with some general questions about conservation priorities and your awareness of other aquatic species at risk.

Comments are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds, whether you are engaged in activities that may be affected by northern bottlenose whale conservation efforts or are a citizen with an interest in northern bottlenose whales.

You should read the consultation workbook before completing these questions.

About the Consultation Workbook Survey

The consultation workbook survey asks you to answer a series of questions that require reflection about your views relating to the conservation and recovery of the Scotian Shelf population of northern bottlenose whale. There are a variety of question formats in this survey. There are also numerous opportunities for personal responses to further explain your views. If you would like to keep the introductory sections of this workbook, please feel free to detach this section and return only the survey.

Please return your workbook to: Species at Risk Coordination Office Bedford Institute of Oceanography P.O. Box 1006 1 Challenger Drive Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2

Alternatively, you may email comments [email protected] or visit http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca to complete an electronic version of this survey. In addition to this survey, public meetings will be held in the Maritimes during the consultation period. For specific times and locations of public meetings, please check http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca.

The information that you provide is important! We very much appreciate the time and effort you take to complete this survey!

Your Opinion on Government Priorities

Commercial fishing, sport fishing, First Nation food and ceremonial fishing, industrial use and conservation needs are all considered when the government makes decisions about conservation policies and programs. How would you rate the importance of these considerations if you were making decisions about the management of aquatic species at risk?

Please choose an option that reflects your rating of the importance of these considerations in ocean management

Very Low Priority Somewhat Low Priority Moderate Priority Somewhat High Priority Very High Priority Recreational Fishing

Commercial Fishing

Marine Industries

Conservation

First Nations Food and Ceremonial Fishing

Do you have any other comments about how conservation priorities should be determined? If so, please use the space below.

Your Awareness about Aquatic Species at Risk in the Maritimes

This table shows a number of listed and proposed species at risk in the Maritimes (COSEWIC designations are provided). For each, please indicate your knowledge of this species.

I am not I am somewhat I am very familiar with familiar with familiar with this species this species this species Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon (current SARA status: endangered) Atlantic Whitefish (current SARA status: endangered) Lake Utopia Dwarf Smelt (current SARA status: threatened) Leatherback Turtle (current SARA status: endangered) Atlantic Wolffish (current SARA status: special concern) North Atlantic Right Whale (proposed SARA status: endangered) Blue Whale (proposed SARA status: endangered) Northern Bottlenose Whale (proposed SARA status: endangered) Cusk (proposed SARA status: threatened) Porbeagle Shark (proposed SARA status: endangered) Yellow Lampmussel (proposed SARA status: special concern)

Your Opinions about Conservation Priorities for Aquatic Species at Risk in Atlantic Canada

Please choose an option that reflects your rating of what level of priority should be placed on conservation efforts for this species.

ecies

Very Low Conservation Priority Somewhat Low Conservation Priority Moderate Conservation Priority Somewhat High Conservation Priority Very High Conservation Priority I am not Familiar with this Sp so Cannot Say Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon (current SARA status: endangered) Atlantic Whitefish (current SARA status: endangered) Lake Utopia Dwarf Smelt (current SARA status: threatened) Leatherback Turtle (current SARA status: endangered) Atlantic Wolffish (current SARA status: special concern) North Atlantic Right Whale (proposed SARA status: endangered) Blue Whale (proposed SARA status: endangered) Northern Bottlenose Whale (proposed SARA status: endangered) Cusk (proposed SARA status: threatened) Porbeagle Shark (proposed SARA status: endangered) Yellow Lampmussel (proposed SARA status: special concern)

Your Opinions about Threats to Northern Bottlenose Whales

For each factor, please indicate your opinion about how important a threat that factor is to northern bottlenose whales.

Very Low Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I Have No Opinion On This Factor Entanglement in Fixed Fishing Gear (e.g., traps, gillnets, longlines) Entanglement in Mobile Fishing Gear (e.g., trawl nets)

Vessel Strikes

Sonar and other Vessel Noise

Noise Caused by Seismic Testing Noise Caused by Oil and Gas Drilling Disturbance by Scientific Researchers

Pollutants

Disruption of the Northern Bottlenose Whale Food Chain Climate Change and Effects on Marine Ecosystems

Do you have any comments about other possible factors that may threaten northern bottlenose whale survival and recovery? If so, please use the space below.

Your Opinions about Possible Interventions to Help Northern Bottlenose Whale Conservation and Recovery

For each factor, please indicate what level of impact you think this measure will have on northern bottlenose whale recovery.

Very Low Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I Have No Opinion On This Factor Develop and Fund Whale Disentanglement Teams Develop Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Divert Vessel Traffic Around Areas where Northern Bottlenose Whale Live Develop Low-Impact Fishing Gear Impose Fishing Closures where Northern Bottlenose Whales Live Conduct Scientific Research to Better Understand Northern Bottlenose Whale Behaviour and Impacts Increase the Size of Fines for Harming Northern Bottlenose Whales Increase Public Awareness about Northern Bottlenose Whale Conservation Increase Awareness within Marine Industries about Northern Bottlenose Whale Develop Pollution Response and Control Strategies Develop Guidelines for Military Activities

Do you have any other comments about how other interventions might help northern bottlenose whale conservation and recovery? If so, please use the space below.

Your Opinion about the Potential Direct or Indirect Costs of Northern Bottlenose Whale Conservation and Recovery

Please choose an option that reflects your rating of the likely economic impacts (direct and indirect) of northern bottlenose whale conservation and recovery to this industry or group.

Negligible Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I Have No Opinion On This Factor Costs to the Commercial Vessels Costs to Fixed Gear Fishers (e.g., traps, gillnets, longlines) Costs to Mobile Gear Fishers (e.g., trawl nets) Costs to Pelagic Longline Fishers Costs to Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Companies Costs to Seismic Exploration Companies Costs to the Military

Costs to my Personal Household Costs to Scientific Researchers

Do you have any other comments about how conservation interventions might lead to costs on other people or industry sectors, or about what your suggestions are to minimize costs? Costs might be direct (e.g., increasing the cost of doing business) or they might be indirect (e.g., lost opportunities for commercial activities). If so, please use the space below.

Your Opinion about the Potential Benefits of Northern Bottlenose Whale Conservation and Recovery to Canadian Society

Please choose an option that reflects your rating of the likely benefits (economic or social) of northern bottlenose whale conservation and recovery to this industry or segment of society.

Negligible Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I Have No Opinion On This Impact Benefits to Maritime Coastal Communities Benefits to the Tourism Industry Benefits to Canadian Society as a Whole Benefits to First Nations

Benefits to the Scientific Community

Your Opinion about Other Potential Benefits of Northern Bottlenose Whale Conservation and Recovery

Please choose an option that reflects your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statements.

Strongly Disagree Somewhat Disagree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree I Have No Opinion On This Impact I think that northern bottlenose whales are valuable because they play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. I think that northern bottlenose whales will be valuable to future generations. I think that many people in Canada value northern bottlenose whales even though they may never personally see a northern bottlenose whale.

Do you have any other comments about who might benefit from northern bottlenose whale conservation and how important this benefit might be? If so, please use the space below.

Comments about the Proposed Listing Status of the Scotian Shelf Population of Northern Bottlenose Whale

Have you read the COSEWIC status report for the Scotian Shelf population of northern bottlenose whale?

ٱ Yes ٱ No

Please choose an option that reflects your level of support for the Government of Canada listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act.

I Strongly Disagree with listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species I Somewhat Disagree with listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species I Neither Agree nor Disagree with listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species I Somewhat Agree with listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species I Strongly Agree with listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species

If you disagree with listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species, could you please tell us why?

If you agree with listing northern bottlenose whale as an endangered species, could you please tell us why?

How can you as an individual, or your industry, organization or community, participate in the recovery of this species? Please give examples of particular activities if you can.

Do you have any other comments about this survey or SARA that you would like to share with us? If so, please use the space below.

Background Information about You

What is Your Age Category?

ٱ Years 20 > ٱ Years 20-29 ٱ Years 30-39 ٱ Years 40-49 ٱ Years 50-59 ٱ Years 60-69 ٱ Years 70 <

What is Your Gender?

ٱ Female ٱ Male

Where do you live?

ٱ Nova Scotia ٱ New Brunswick ٱ Prince Edward Island ٱ Newfoundland and Labrador ٱ Quebec ٱ Ontario ٱ Western Canada or Territories ٱ Outside Canada but I am a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident ٱ Outside Canada - I am not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident

In which sector are you employed?

ٱ Retired ٱ Full-Time Homemaker ٱ Student ٱ Commercial Fishing/Processing ٱ Farming ٱ Forestry ٱ Oil and Gas ٱ Professional Services ٱ Private Sector – Other ٱ Academic ٱ Government ٱ Non-Governmental Organization ٱ I am Between Jobs ٱ I am Employed in another Field

If you work in the commercial fishing or processing industry, what types of commercial fishing activities have you engaged in over the past 5 years? Please check all the applicable boxes.

ٱ Work in a Processing Plant ٱ ('Fish for Groundfish on a Fixed Gear Vessel (<45 ٱ ('Fish for Groundfish on a Fixed Gear Vessel (>45 ٱ Fish for Groundfish on a Mobile Gear Vessel ٱ Fish for Lobster ٱ Fish for Scallops ٱ Fish for Snow Crab ٱ Fish for Large Pelagics on a Longline Vessel ٱ Work in the Aquaculture Industry ٱ Fish for Other Species or Using Other Methods ٱ Industry Association Representative or Consultant

You've now finished the survey – thank you very much for your help