Survey on the Atlantic Whitefish Range Expansion Initiative

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking your input on the proposed release of endangered Atlantic Whitefish into one of four candidate lakes in Nova Scotia’s Southern Upland eco-region (an area located in south-central Nova Scotia), with the goal of establishing a new population. We welcome any comments on the potential implications these releases could have on you, your industry, your community and/or the ecosystem – positive, negative, or otherwise.


Your answers will be used to help inform our understanding of lake suitability and the selection of a lake for this initiative.

Background info

The Atlantic Whitefish is unique to Nova Scotia and only found in the Petite Rivière watershed, near Bridgewater (red highlighted area in the image below). It is an ancient relative of Atlantic Salmon and once migrated to the sea before becoming isolated in the river’s upper lakes by the construction of dams in the watershed.


Currently listed as endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act and Nova Scotia’s Endangered Species Act, the Atlantic Whitefish is at high risk of extinction. The remaining population size is unknown but believed to be critically low. The species faces several threats including barriers to fish passage and the presence of two highly predatory aquatic invasive species, namely Chain Pickerel and Smallmouth Bass. The survival and recovery of Atlantic Whitefish requires action to expand its range into habitat beyond the Petite Rivière.


To inform efforts to expand the range of Atlantic Whitefish and enhance the species’ odds of survival, subject matter experts identified lakes in Nova Scotia that fit these criteria:

  • the absence of aquatic invasive species and other competitor species
  • adequate pH and depth limits to mitigate against climate change
  • existing land or water protections
  • limited or no land-based activities in or around the lake

The four lakes shown below were identified for this initiative. Your input is requested to help determine which site is best suited for releasing Atlantic Whitefish to establish a second population.

Proposed candidate lakes

A map of Nova Scotia shows current Atlantic Whitefish habitat in the Petite Rivière watershed, outlined in red. The four candidate lakes (Timber Lake, Oakland Lake, Alma Lake, and Coon Lake) are marked with a red dot. Their watersheds are outlined in blue.

Location of current Atlantic Whitefish habitat in the Petite Rivière watershed (outlined in red) and the four candidate lakes, indicated by a red dot within their watersheds (outlined in blue).

Before you start

This survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback on more than one lake.

This survey is anonymous. We ask that you do not provide any personal information about yourself or any other individual(s) while responding to open text questions in this survey.

To provide feedback on behalf of a group or organization, or if you have any questions about the survey, please email: SpeciesatRisk.XMAR@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

 

Participating in this survey is completely voluntary, and you may discontinue at any time by closing the window of your browser. By completing and submitting the survey:

Please also note that answers are not auto-saved. To ensure your response is captured, complete and submit the survey during a single session, without exiting the browser.

Privacy Notice Statement

The information you provide on this survey is collected under the authority of the Species at Risk Act for the purpose of conducting a public consultation and engagement for Aquatic Species at Risk. Your opinion and/or views on the Atlantic Whitefish range expansion candidate lakes will assist Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Maritimes Region Species at Risk Program in selecting the most appropriate candidate lake to establish a new population of Atlantic Whitefish to help recover this important species. A summary of this survey’s results or its findings will be published in a subsequent “What We Heard” Report. Personal information is protected and will only be disclosed for purposes authorized under subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act, and as described in the Outreach Activities (PSU 938) Personal Information Bank. Your participation in this survey is voluntary. Individuals have the right to the correction of, access to, and protection of, personal information under the Privacy Act and to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada over DFO’s handling of the information. 

By participating in this survey, you agree to not use any additional personal information about yourself or any other individual in your responses.

Please read and agree to the Privacy Notice Statement to continue:
Questionnaire
1. Do you want to provide feedback on a specific candidate lake?
2. Which candidate lake would you like to provide comments on first?
3a. How familiar are you with this candidate lake?
4a. In your opinion, is this candidate lake suitable or unsuitable to receive Atlantic Whitefish releases?
5. Would you like to provide feedback on another specific candidate lake?
5.1 Which candidate lake would you like to provide comments on?
5.2a How familiar are you with this candidate lake?
5.3a In your opinion, is this candidate lake suitable or unsuitable to receive Atlantic Whitefish releases?
6a. How do you think releasing endangered Atlantic Whitefish into the candidate lake would impact you or your group/organization?
6b. If endangered Atlantic Whitefish were released into the candidate lake I think there would be (select all that apply):
6c. If endangered Atlantic Whitefish were released into the candidate lake I think there would be (select all that apply)
7. Are you aware of Chain Pickerel or Smallmouth Bass in any of the candidate lakes?
Timber
Oakland
Alma
Coon
10. Please indicate which group you identify most closely with.
12. Do you or your group/organization have any additional information, specific knowledge or interest in Atlantic Whitefish that you’d like to share?
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