No Net Loss of Fish Habitat: A Review and Analysis of Habitat Compensation in Canada |
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Authors: | D J Harper J T Quigley |
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Institution: | (1) Habitat Protection and Sustainable Development, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 12th floor – 200 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0E6;(2) Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement Branch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Suite 200 – 401 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 3S4 |
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Abstract: | The achievement of No Net Loss (NNL) through habitat compensation has rarely been assessed in Canada. Files relating to 124
Fisheries Act Section 35(2) authorizations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the harmful alteration, disruption, and destruction
of fish habitat (HADD) were collected and reviewed. Data extracted from these files were pooled and analyzed to provide an
indication of the types of HADDs that have been authorized in Canada, what habitats have been affected, and what habitat management
approaches have been used when compensating for HADDs and monitoring and ensuring the success of the compensation. Determinations
regarding the effectiveness of habitat compensation in achieving NNL were made. Impacts to 419,562 m2 of fish habitat from the 124 authorized HADDs were offset by 1,020,388 m2 of compensatory habitat. Eighty percent of the authorizations had compensation ratios (compensation area:HADD area) of 2:1
or less, and 25% of the authorizations had a compensation ratio that was less than 1:1. In-channel and riparian habitat were
the most frequently impacted habitats. Urban development and roads and highways resulted in the greatest areal loss of habitat.
The compensation option that was most often selected was the creation of in-kind habitat. The mean duration of post-construction
monitoring programs was 3.7 years. Determinations of NNL could only be made for 17 authorizations as a result of poor proponent
compliance with monitoring requirements and the qualitative assessment procedures used by the monitoring programs. Adequate
resources, proper training, and standardized approaches to data management and monitoring programs are required to ensure
that the conservation goal of NNL can be achieved in Canada. |
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Keywords: | No Net Loss Habitat compensation Monitoring Fisheries Act Canada File review |
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