Action Plan for the Northern Abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) in Canada

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2. Recovery Actions

2.1. Scope of the Action Plan

This Action Plan addresses all the goals and objectives of the Recovery Strategy for Northern Abalone (2007) (see Section 1.8 of this Action Plan). 

2.2. Critical Habitat

2.2.1 Identification of Northern Abalone critical habitat

SARA S. 2(1) defines habitat for aquatic species at risk as:
“… spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply, migration and any other areas on which aquatic species depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes, or areas where aquatic species formerly occurred and have the potential to be reintroduced.”

Under SARA S. 2(1), critical habitat is defined as “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species.” 

For the Northern Abalone, critical habitat is identified to the extent possible, using the best information currently available. The critical habitat identified in this action plan describes the geographical area that contains habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of the species. The current area identified is deemed to be sufficient to achieve the population and distribution objectives for the species. As illegal harvest is the most significant threat to Northern Abalone recovery, detailed geospatial information will not be included in the SARA public registry pursuant to SARA Section 124.

2.2.2 Information and Methods Used to Identify Critical Habitat

The geographic locations and biophysical functions, features and attributes of the critical habitat were identified using the best available information, including Northern Abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana, in British Columbia: fisheries and synopsis of life history information (Sloan and Breen, 1988); the Northern Abalone Case Study for the Determination of SARA Critical Habitat (Jamieson et al 2004);  and Describing Northern Abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana, habitat: focusing rebuilding efforts in British Columbia, Canada (Lessard et al, 2007).

Northern Abalone occur in a wide variety of habitats from fairly sheltered bays to exposed coastlines, from the low intertidal zone to shallow subtidal depth (DFO 2007).  Although the abalone population has declined, there has been no significant reduction in available habitat, and habitat loss is not deemed to be a major threat to the recovery of Northern Abalone (Lessard et al. 2007, DFO 2007, COSEWIC 2009).  Critical habitat for Northern Abalone is not limited, and the area required for population recovery is less than the area the population currently occupies (COSEWIC 2009).

Critical habitat for Northern Abalone has been identified within four distinct geospatial areas (Figure 3).  These four areas constitute the Northern Abalone habitat that is deemed necessary by the Recovery Team and Recovery Implementation Group for the species’ survival and recovery: 1) Northern Abalone habitat within the North and Central Coast of the BC mainland; 2) Northern Abalone habitat within the east coast of Haida Gwaii; 3) Northern Abalone habitat in Barkley Sound; and 4) Northern Abalone habitat within the west coast of Haida Gwaii. 

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3. Four distinct geospatial areas of critical habitat for Northern Abalone in Pacific Canadian waters.

map

The first two areas were identified because these were the historically most productive areas during the former commercial fishery (Farlinger 1990; Harbo and Hobbs 1997).  Since 1978, index site surveys have provided a time series of abalone densities and size frequencies from the Central Coast and Haida Gwaii every 3-5 years (Adkins and Stefanson 1979; Breen and Adkins 1979; Hankewich et al. 2008; Hankewich and Lessard 2008).  The survey sites were selected because of harvestable commercial abalone abundances.  These two areas formed the basis for assessment of Northern Abalone population status. The third area was identified as an important rebuilding area, with several sites established since 2002 (Parks Canada Agency unpublished data; DFO unpublished data).  The fourth area demonstrates similar habitat features to those on the east coast of Haida Gwaii based on information from survey sites established in 2008 (DFO unpublished data).

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2.2.3 Geospatial Area of Critical Habitat

Within the four areas described above, critical habitat is not comprised of all the area within the identified boundaries but only those areas, within the identified geographic boundaries, where the following specified biophysical attributes occur. Northern Abalone critical habitat is identified at sites at least 20m2 in size with ≥0.1 abalone/m2 that contain all of the features and attributes described in Table 2 (Sloan and Breen 1988; Lessard et al. 2007; Lessard and Campbell 2007). Density is used to delineate critical habitat, but is not itself considered an attribute of critical habitat. Low densities may exacerbate the decline of the species by reducing fertilization success in this broadcast spawner (the Allee effect).

2.2.4 Functions, Features and Attributes of Northern Abalone Critical Habitat

Abalone are normally found attached to rocks, boulders, bedrock or other stable substrates at depths of < 10m, and in a water column that exhibits moderate to high sea water exchange. The presence of a suitable primary substrate supports the function of attachment for both the abalone and for macroalgae, a feature of critical habitat that provides food and cover for adults.  Abalone require a water column with salinity >30 ppt, and are therefore not found near areas of freshwater run-off or in estuarine habitats. 

Coralline algae is a feature of critical habitat that serves a number of functions. The presence of coralline algae is the primary settlement cue for larval Northern Abalone, and provides food for the juveniles prior to their transition to a macroalgal diet.  It also provides cover and camouflage for adults, both through the incorporation of algal pigments during shell formation, as well as through growth of algal patches on the surface of the shell.

The functions, features and attributes of Northern Abalone critical habitat are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2 .  Functions, Features and Attributes of Northern Abalone Critical Habitat

 

FUNCTION

 

FEATURE

 

ATTRIBUTE

 

 

Attachment

Cover

 

 

Primary substrate

 

Bedrock or boulders with adequate rugosity is necessary for attachment. Secondary substrate: some cobble may be present but little or no gravel, sediment, sand, mud, or shell present.

≤10m depth (datum)

 

Attachment

Feeding

Larval settling

 

 

Water column

 

Normal salinity (>30 ppt; not low salinity as found close to river run off)

Moderate to high water exchange (tidal current or wave action present)

 

Feeding

Larval settling

Cover

 

 

Coralline algae

 

Presence of encrusting coralline algae (e.g., Lithothamnium spp.)

 

 

Feeding

Cover

 

Macroalgae

 

Presence of Nereocystis, Macrocystis, Pterygophora or Laminaria spp

These features and attributes are associated with high quality abalone habitat; however, abalone may not be present in all habitats exhibiting some or all of these features.

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2.3. Examples of Activities Likely to Result in Destruction of Critical Habitat

The current statement of what is considered to be destruction of critical habitat is provided in the draft ‘Species at Risk Act Policies: overarching policy framework’ (2009) posted on the SARA Public Registry, and describes destruction as follows:

Destruction is determined on a case by case basis.  Destruction would result if part of the critical habitat were degraded, either permanently or temporarily, such that it would not serve its function when needed by the species.  Destruction may result from a single or multiple activities at one point in time or from the cumulative effects of one or more activities over time.  When critical habitat is identified in a recovery strategy or an action plan, examples of activities that are likely to result in its destruction will be provided”.

Northern Abalone are typically found in exposed and semi-exposed coastal habitat not suitable for the majority of coastal developments.  For this reason, there are relatively few types of activities, works or developments, likely to result in critical habitat destruction.  A temporary alteration of any combination of the critical habitat features may or may not result in destruction of critical habitat.

Finfish aquaculture, log booms and log dumps, and dredging have the potential to alter the described features and attributes of critical habitat, and may result in loss of function.  The construction of underwater pipes or cable placement, installation of pilings or other developments may have similar impacts as dredging (i.e., loss of primary substrate and possible increase in sedimentation), and require mitigation measures if they are proposed for areas within the designated critical habitat (Lessard et al. 2007). Concern stems from direct loss of habitat resulting from removal or significant alteration of primary substrate and/or effects on water quality. 

Lessard et al. (2007) rated the relative impact from these works or developments as low, provided the impact assessment protocol is followed (Appendix 4).  Furthermore, the areas potentially affected by such activities are relatively small in the wave-exposed areas of northern B.C. and the west coast of Vancouver Island (COSEWIC 2009) where critical habitat for Northern Abalone is identified (Figure 3).  Some examples of activities that are likely to result in the destruction of critical habitat are listed in Table 3.

Table 3. Examples of Activities that are Likely to Result in Destruction of Critical Habitat

 

Activity

 

Affect-Pathway

 

Level of Concern

 

Function Affected

 

Feature Affected

 

Attribute Affected

 

Dredging
Underwater pipe installation
Cable placement
Piling installation

 

Direct loss of habitat resulting from removal or significant alteration of primary substrate

Effects of sedimentation

 

 

Low

 

 

Attachment

 

 

Primary substrate

 

Bedrock or boulders with adequate rugosity is necessary for attachment. Secondary substrate: some cobble may be present but little or no gravel, sediment, sand, mud, or shell present.

 

 

Finfish aquaculture

 

 

 

Increased sedimentation and physical changes to the substrate

 

 

Low

 

 

Attachment

 

 

Primary substrate

 

Bedrock or boulders with adequate rugosity is necessary for attachment. Secondary substrate: some cobble may be present but little or no gravel, sediment, sand, mud, or shell present.

 

 

Log booms
Log dumps

 

 

 

Shading may alter community structure and algal growth

 

 

 

Low

 

Feeding

Larval settling

Cover

 

 

Coralline algae

 

Macroalgae

 

Presence of encrusting coralline algae (e.g., Lithothamnium spp.)

Presence of Nereocystis, Macrocystis, Pterygophora or Laminaria spp.

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2.4. Proposed Measures to Protect Critical Habitat

Pursuant to subsection 58 (4) of the Species at Risk Act, DFO intends to issue an Order to protect Northern Abalone critical habitat. 

In addition to the Protection Order, there are various mechanisms that will aid in the protection of critical habitat. Specific criteria to avoid a harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of Northern Abalone habitat are applied through a protocol specifically developed for assessing and protecting Northern Abalone from works or developments in, on or under the water that are proposed in areas of Northern Abalone habitat (Lessard et al. 2007; Appendix 4).  The protocol applies even in situations where additional measures (to mitigate habitat impacts for other species) prohibiting certain activities (e.g., dredging) are already in place.  The protocol also applies to works or developments on, in and under the water that are subject to review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.  The consistent application of this protocol mitigates impacts to habitat and critical habitat of abalone. 

A significant portion of the total critical habitat identified for Northern Abalone falls within the boundaries of National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) and National Marine Conservation Area Reserves (NMCARs). The Gwaii Haanas NMCAR site extends 10 km offshore from Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.  This area was established under the National Marine Conservation Areas Act and is managed for sustainable use, and protected from industrial activities such as marine dumping, mining, and oil and gas exploration and development.  

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve provides protection for abalone critical habitat in Barkley Sound under the Canada National Parks Act.  Protections in the Park Reserve extend out to 20 metres depth.  Parks Canada’s protected heritage sites are managed to promote ecosystem integrity, and continued persistence of natural populations by measures to maintain or restore the diversity of genes, species and communities native to the region.  Marine Protected Areas may also be established in future under the Oceans Act.

Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) provides support for Coast Watch, a community-based stewardship program that supports public education, awareness, and abalone patrols to reduce illegal harvest.  This program has significant participation from within the First Nations communities. 

Habitat and critical habitat for Northern Abalone are also protected under the Fisheries Act. Section 35(1) prohibits any work or undertaking that results in the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat unless authorized pursuant to Section 35(2). 

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