Redside Dace

Species description

Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) is a small, brightly coloured minnow that reaches a maximum length of 12 centimetres. Adults have a red stripe along their side, and a bright yellow stripe above it that extends to its tail. These colours intensify during spring and fade during late summer and fall. Redside Dace can be distinguished from other minnows by its protruding jaw and its large mouth which extends from below the pupil of its eye.

In Canada, Redside Dace is known to occur in small, isolated populations in southern Ontario and St. Joseph’s Island in northeastern Ontario. The species is found in pools and slow-flowing sections of small streams and headwaters, and is often associated with gravel bottoms. Preferred habitat for Redside Dace has riparian vegetation with overhanging grasses or shrubs, in-stream cover and clear, cool water with minimal cloudiness. A map of the provincial distribution of Redside Dace is available on the Government of Ontario’s species at risk website.

Redside Dace face several threats to its survival and recovery with one of the most significant threats being the loss of suitable habitat due to urban development. The range of Redside Dace overlaps with intensive urban development and pressure from urbanization is expected to continue with population growth. Agricultural activities that result in habitat modification are also considered a threat as intensive crop production and livestock access to streams can contribute to siltation and changes in channel structure.

The survival and recovery of Redside Dace is influenced by other factors as well. Its diet consists primarily of terrestrial insects and the species relies on a visual search of prey at the water’s surface, potentially making the species more visible to predators. Redside Dace are typically sexually mature at two years, but spawning may not occur until their third year. This may limit their ability to rebound from low population levels as their life span is typically three to four years.

Redside Dace is listed as endangered at the provincial level (Species at Risk in Ontario List) and is listed as special concern at the federal level (Schedule 3 under the Species at Risk Act). Globally, it is considered to be vulnerable to apparently secure.

Provincial status

Prior to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA or “the Act”), the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) assessed Redside Dace as threatened. Following this assessment, it was listed as threatened in 2000 and retained this status when the ESA came into force in 2008. COSSARO reassessed Redside Dace as endangered and the status of the species was altered on the Species at Risk in Ontario List in 2009. In its future assessments, COSSARO may consider information regarding the species’ threats and trends in population and distribution gained through protection and recovery actions.

Species and habitat protection

Protecting Redside Dace and enforcing the regulation protecting the specific habitat of the species are key components in the implementation of the ESA and continue to be government-led actions, as identified in the government response statement. Redside Dace have been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken since the ESA came into force in 2008. In addition, the habitat of Redside Dace is protected from being damaged or destroyed; habitat protection has been in place since 2009, based initially on the general habitat definition in the ESA. Prior to its transition to the ESA, there was no species or habitat protection for Redside Dace. Further information on species and habitat protection is provided in section 2.3 of the introductory chapter of this document.

In 2011, within the timeframe required by the ESA, the government developed a habitat regulation for the species to provide clarity to the public and others on what areas are protected as Redside Dace habitat (Ontario Regulation 242/08, section 29.1). The habitat regulation was developed based on consideration of both the habitat needs of the species and comments received through public consultation.

Any person who negatively impacts Redside Dace or its habitat without prior authorization may be prosecuted under the ESA.

Recovery strategy

A recovery strategy for Redside Dace was completed on February 18, 2010, which was within the time frame required by the ESA. It represents best science advice to government. The strategy identified the habitat needs of Redside Dace and the threats that it faces, while recommending objectives and approaches for protecting and recovering the species. The recovery strategy also included recommendations on the areas of habitat to be considered in the development of a habitat regulation.

Government response statement

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“the Ministry”) published the government response statement (GRS) for Redside Dace on November 18, 2010, which was within the timeframe required by the ESA. The GRS is government policy that contains the Government of Ontario’s goal for the recovery of Redside Dace.

To help achieve this goal, the government leads and supports a number of recovery actions. Common actions for the government to lead as it works towards achieving a species’ recovery goal are provided in section 2.5 of the introductory chapter of this document. Specific actions for the government to lead to help protect and recover Redside Dace are as follows:

• Maintain a database of Redside Dace distribution and ensure that information on the currently occupied range of the species is available to appropriate planning authorities;
• Develop urban development guidelines to provide guidance where there is an interest in developing urban areas within Redside Dace habitat, as protected under the ESA;
• Ensure appropriate timing windows for activities in and around Redside Dace habitat are considered in the application of the ESA; and
• Finalize and implement the “Framework for Managing Commercial Baitfish Harvest to Protect Redside Dace Populations”.

The GRS for the species also outlines 10 actions for which the Ministry is using a variety of methods to support others to undertake. These government-supported actions fall under the objectives identified in the GRS, which are:

• Maintain the current geographical distribution and abundance of Redside Dace through habitat protection, including habitat in urban areas, and ensuring protection of water quality and stream hydrology;
• Rehabilitate degraded Redside Dace habitats in areas adjacent to occupied reaches;
• Establish a long-term monitoring program to continue to determine the distribution, abundance, and associated trends of Redside Dace and its habitats; and
• Increase awareness regarding the significance of Redside Dace and protection and stewardship of its habitat.

The subsequent sections of this chapter provide a review of actions that the government has led or supported to help achieve the recovery goal for Redside Dace.

Government funded projects

An important government-led action in the GRS for Redside Dace is to support partners to undertake activities to protect and recover the species. Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund the Ministry has supported a total of 40 projects designed to contribute to the protection and recovery of Redside Dace. Nineteen projects ($310,803) focused exclusively on the species, while the other 21 projects ($875,095) focused on multiple species at risk, including Redside Dace. In addition to the funding provided through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, partners focusing exclusively on Redside Dace reported that they were successful in securing additional funding ($421,528) from other sources, as did partners with projects designed to benefit multiple species at risk, including Redside Dace ($1,337,062). These values for additional funding and in-kind support include the estimated value of the time and expertise provided by volunteers, which are outlined below.

Stewardship partners also reported that the province’s funding support helped them to involve 1,625 individuals who volunteered 5,259 hours of their time toward protection and recovery activities that focused exclusively on Redside Dace, which has an estimated value of $68,183. As well, a total of 1,618 individuals volunteered 9,976 hours of their time toward protection and recovery activities for multiple species at risk, including Redside Dace, which has an estimated value of $296,455.

The Ministry’s stewardship partners reported that through both their efforts and the efforts of their volunteers to implement actions contained in the GRS, they were successful in enhancing 120 hectares of habitat that will benefit multiple species at risk, including Redside Dace. In addition, stewardship partners reported providing focused outreach on Redside Dace to 1,875 individuals, and ecosystem-based outreach on multiple species (including Redside Dace) to 195,815 individuals.

The remainder of this section highlights several projects that were supported through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund and their corresponding government-supported recovery actions.

Species at Risk Stewardship Fund

• 
  $310,803

  for Redside Dace exclusively

• 
  $875,095

  for multi-species projects that included Redside Dace

• 
  $1,758,590

  in additional funding and in-kind support

• 
  40

  projects

• 
  3,243

  volunteers

• 
  15,234

  hours

• 
  197,690

  people received outreach

• 
  120

  hectares of habitat enhanced

One partner received stewardship funding in 2007-2013 and completed several projects that contributed to progress on multiple GRS actions for Redside Dace. Evaluating the current condition of Redside Dace habitat and populations in order to identify where habitat is degraded is a high priority action listed in the species’ GRS. To implement this action, the partner conducted surveys for fish species, benthic invertebrates and temperature data at multiple sites in the Rouge River, Don River, Fourteen Mile Creek and Humber River watersheds. Monitoring indicated whether the species was present, while data collected on temperature and benthic invertebrates provided an indication of the quality of the habitat. In total, 17,775 metres of stream were mapped and assessed to determine the quality of habitat available and make recommendations for degraded habitat. Once this occurred, rehabilitation work began to take place in recommended locations. This contributes to progress on the GRS high priority action of continuing riparian and in-stream work on top priority areas. Rehabilitation involved planting 15,453 trees and shrubs in the riparian zone to help stabilize the banks and provide cover for the species, as well as increase the amount of food available for Redside Dace. In-stream rehabilitation efforts included the removal of various obstructions such as garbage and debris to improve flow and connectivity, as well as the creation of in-stream structures such as cabled log jams to stop bank erosion and stream sedimentation. In order to promote the protection of Redside Dace the partner had volunteers assist with the rehabilitation work. In total 1,460 people contributed approximately 5,067 hours of time contributing to Redside Dace rehabilitation. Many conferences, trade shows, festivals, schools and community events were also attended by the partner where information about the project and Redside Dace was distributed. These actions helped to increase awareness of Redside Dace and its habitat which is listed as a high priority action in the species’ GRS.

To increase awareness of Redside Dace and its habitat, a partner conducted a project over five years to develop and deliver curriculum-based interactive outreach for students in Grades 1, 2, 7, 8 and 11 about the Great Lakes, local fish species and aquatic species at risk, including Redside Dace. The aim of the program was to inspire students to take an interest in nature and motivate them to participate in conservation. Throughout the years of funding, the program grew to include additional grades, became bilingual and developed new interactive content. This partner gave over 2,000 presentations and reached over 2,000 classes to provide information to a total of 68,324 students. Additional presentations were given at libraries, summer camps and community events throughout the Greater Toronto Area, reaching over 15,000 people. Materials for public events were also translated into Mandarin for use at community functions and to reach a wider audience. This project supported the GRS action to increase awareness of interested stakeholders of Redside Dace and protection of the species and its habitat.

The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) provides support to agricultural landowners interested in completing habitat creation and best management practices (BMPs) that support species at risk. By addressing risks identified through the Environmental Farm Plan workbook and Action Plan, farms can implement practices that are beneficial for species listed as at risk in Ontario. SARFIP and Environmental Farm Plans are funded and supported through the Ministry and the Government of Canada through the federal Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. Between 2009 and 2013, SARFIP helped protect the aquatic habitat and water quality of 200 streams by addressing eroding streambanks, building 300 kilometres of fencing along rivers and streams, preventing 53,000 grazing livestock from entering streams and posing risks, as well as updating and creating 100 new water crossings to carry livestock and machinery across streams without damaging streambeds. These activities benefit aquatic ecosystems and are likely to have a positive effect on the species at risk that inhabit them, including Redside Dace. The activities align with the government-supported action to encourage development and use of Environmental Farm Plans to incorporate best management practices for rural streams and drains that restore a healthy riparian zone and reduce livestock access.

Efforts to minimize adverse effects on and create an overall benefit for Redside Dace

Supporting partners to undertake activities to protect and recover Redside Dace, such as through permits and their associated conditions, is an important government-led action identified in the GRS for the species. A total of 81 permits have been issued for Redside Dace since the species has been protected under the ESA. Of these, there have been two ‘health or safety permits’ (i.e., 17(2)(a) permit) issued for bridge repairs. Fiftythree ‘protection and recovery permits’ (i.e., 17(2)(b) permit) have been issued, with the majority of these exclusively targeting Redside Dace; however, five included additional species. These permits are issued if the purpose of the activity is to assist the protection or recovery of a species at risk. Within southern Ontario, the Ministry has established a long-term monitoring program for Redside Dace with the support of its partners, such as conservation authorities. A substantial amount of effort and a large number of permits have been issued to conservation authorities and others in order to conduct surveys for the species and evaluate the condition of Redside Dace populations. This has contributed to the establishment of baseline information on the range and some information on abundance of Redside Dace, and has allowed changes in the distribution over time to be documented. Permits were also issued to complete habitat creation or restoration and/or scientific research. One particular research project was undertaken in order to increase our understanding of habitat utilization and movement patterns for Redside Dace. There have also been 26 ‘overall benefit permits’ (i.e., 17(2)(c) permit) issued. Twenty-four of these permits focused exclusively on Redside Dace, while two of the permits included additional species. In addition to the government-led action to ensure appropriate timing windows for activities in and around Redside Dace habitat, several of the conditions attached to ‘health or safety permits’, ‘protection and recovery permits’ and ‘overall benefit permits’ have helped implement government-supported actions identified in the GRS for Redside Dace. These actions include, but are not limited to:

• Undertaking all in water and near water works within appropriate timing windows in order to prevent work when Redside Dace are particularly sensitive to disturbance;
• Rehabilitating degraded habitat through the removal of debris jams, stabilization of the stream bank, creation of woody debris habitat structures, planting of eroded slopes, and removal of garbage to enhance stream habitat;
• Enhancing riparian habitat by planting native riparian vegetation for the purpose of increasing insect production, cooling water temperatures through shading, filtering nutrients and sediments inputs from surface runoff;
• Installing signage to educate the public about Redside Dace, its habitat and efforts being made to support its recovery;
• Retrofitting existing irrigation/stormwater ponds that will reduce thermal impacts associated with the pond discharge water and monitoring and recording the effectiveness;
• Installing of fencing to exclude cattle from entering streams to prevent erosion and excess sedimentation; and
• Conducting surveys and monitoring, by qualified individuals, to assess the current condition of Redside Dace populations and their habitats and report results to the Ministry.

Other conditions designed to minimize adverse effects included, but are not limited to:

• Installing and maintaining effective sediment and erosion controls at all times during construction, with a qualified environmental inspector onsite during the construction;
• Maintaining existing flows to the watercourse during all stages of activities;
• Stabilizing disturbed areas during construction and all disturbed areas immediately stabilized and restored upon completion of the works; and
• Ensuring that a qualified professional geomorphologist oversees the construction of channel realignments.

Further information regarding ‘overall benefit permits’ is available through Ontario’s Environmental Registry.

A total of six agreements were entered into for Redside Dace. These agreements were enabled through Ontario Regulation 242/08 (prior to the July 1, 2013 amendment). Conditions of the agreements involve implementing actions in the mitigation plans, including, but not limited to:

• Minimizing adverse effects (e.g., creating of a specially designed stormwater retention pond for long term water quality protection);
• Monitoring, collecting, and maintaining information on the species and the mitigation measures taken; and
• Submitting an annual report summarizing the results and the effectiveness of the work.

Since 2011, 49 mitigation reports have been approved in accordance with the requirements for ‘Development and infrastructure - redside dace’ (section 23.1) of Ontario Regulation 242/08. Additionally, since 2013, a total of 53 activities that may affect Redside Dace or its habitat have been registered for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 242/08 under the ESA. The activities are registered under three sections of Ontario Regulation 242/08, including ‘Aquatic species’ (section 23.4), ‘Ecosystem protection’ (section 23.11) and ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18).

Thirty-seven activities are registered under ‘Aquatic species’ (section 23.4) of Ontario Regulation 242/08. This section requires the registered person to comply with the following conditions of the regulation:

• Having an expert on the species develop a mitigation plan for the registered activity and implementing the actions in a mitigation plan including steps to minimize adverse effects of the activity (e.g., avoiding work during reproduction season; keeping machinery and vehicles out of water);
• Providing a benefit to the species that is affected by the activity (e.g., removing barriers such as a perched culvert so that fish can move through waterways); and
• Monitoring the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and the beneficial actions for five years and documenting the results.

Seven activities are registered under ‘Ecosystem protection’ (section 23.11) of Ontario Regulation 242/08, for activities consisting of ecological conservation work that are carried out to protect, maintain, enhance or restore an ecosystem native to Ontario. This section requires the registered person to comply with all conditions of the regulation, such as:

• Implementing the actions in a mitigation plan developed by an expert on the species including steps to minimize adverse effects of the activity (e.g., preventing the species to enter the area);
• Reporting observations of the species to the Ministry using the Rare Species Reporting Form; and
• Creating and maintaining a final report that summarizes the results and the effectiveness of the work and provides recommendations on how similar work could be done in the future.

Nine activities are registered under ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18) of Ontario Regulation 242/08. Seven of the activities were registered to maintain, repair, remove or replace an existing structure or infrastructure, while two were to protect against drought. All activities require the registered person to comply with all conditions of the regulation, such as:

• Taking immediate steps to minimize adverse effects on the species and its habitat (e.g., controlling erosion and sediment); and
• Creating and implementing a mitigation plan developed by an expert on the affected species for more complex activities (e.g., removing a structure, full structure upgrades or replacements).

• 2
  health or safety permits
• 53
  protection or recovery permits
• 26
  overall benefit permits
• 6
  agreements
• 53
  registrations

Guidance for development activities in Redside Dace protected habitat

The GRS for Redside Dace identified that urban development guidelines are important to provide direction where there is an interest in developing urban areas within Redside Dace habitat. In response, the Ministry has drafted “Guidance for Development Activities in Redside Dace Protected Habitat” to provide direction to persons interested in developing areas of southern Ontario that contain Redside Dace habitat. The guidance describes when a permit is required, and provides a description of the permitting and registration process under the ESA. Additionally, it identifies best management practices for development activities to avoid or mitigate impacts to Redside Dace or its habitat.

Screening Maps for Redside Dace Habitat

One of the government-led actions in the GRS for Redside Dace is to maintain a database of Redside Dace distribution and ensure that information on the currently occupied range of the species is available to appropriate planning authorities. In order to lead this action, the Ministry, in cooperation with conservation authorities and the Redside Dace Recovery Implementation Team, creates screening maps to communicate important components of Redside Dace regulated habitat. The screening maps display regulated streams for Redside Dace under the ESA and identify areas of the watercourse that are occupied habitat or recovery habitat. The maps were first shared in 2013 with lower-tier municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area in addition to the regions of Halton, Peel, York and Durham as well as the City of Toronto. Maps are also shared with local conservation authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and, more recently, with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Updated screening maps are scheduled to be shared in 2015 to enable planning authorities access to the best available information on Redside Dace and allow planning of future activities to be done in a way that avoids impacting the species.

Enforcement

The Ministry protects Redside Dace and its habitat by ensuring compliance with the ESA. Ministry enforcement officers and other staff undertake regular outreach to help educate individuals on ESA compliance. However, preventative measures may not always be feasible and enforcement staff may issue warnings and direct actions that must be taken for proponents to be in compliance with the Act. From 2008 to December 2014, there were two documented offences under the ESA with respect to the protection of Redside Dace and its habitat. A conviction was made under section 10 of the ESA for destroying Redside Dace habitat. The offender received a penalty of fifteen days in jail. The second offence involved issuance of a warning under section 9 of the ESA for capturing Redside Dace. The Ministry encourages everyone to report illegal activities involving Ontario’s species at risk.

Occurrences of Redside Dace in Ontario

Watershed Trends

Redside Dace occur predominantly in southern Ontario and are also found on St. Joseph’s Island in northeastern Ontario. Historically, the species was found throughout 25 ^{footnote 1[1]} watersheds in Ontario. It is now only known to remain in small tributaries of some of these rivers. Over the past 55 years, most of the populations have been restricted to, or have become fragmented into, smaller isolated sections of an earlier wider range. Today, there are 17 watersheds where Redside Dace are known to occur. Of these watersheds, 13 are experiencing declines (in range or abundance), while four are considered stable populations. Additional survey effort has found Redside Dace in a broader distribution of one sub-watershed than was previously known in 2008.

Consistent with when the ESA came into effect, the species is considered likely extirpated from eight watersheds, which include Pringle Creek, Petticoat Creek, Highland Creek, Mimico Creek, Etobicoke Creek, Clarkson Creek, Morrison Creek and a Niagara area stream. These watersheds are considered a portion of the species’ historic range, and intensive urbanization and degradation of watercourses has resulted in the habitat no longer being suitable at many of these sites. Redside Dace are considered to be extirpated from the Urfe Creek sub-watershed in Duffins Creek and in the Levi Creek sub-watershed in the Credit River as there have been no observation records of the species within the past 20 years despite survey efforts. These areas are considered recovery habitat, where habitat protection applies, as other portions of the watershed support Redside Dace and the species may reinhabit these areas with appropriate restoration.

Declines in Redside Dace (range or abundance) appear to be ongoing in 13 watersheds. These watersheds include: Lynde Creek, Duffins Creek, Fourteen Mile Creek, Humber River, Sixteen Mile Creek, Bronte Creek, Spencer Creek, Irvine Creek, Saugeen River, Don River, Rouge River, Holland River and Credit River. Despite surveys completed since 2008, the population status in Bronte Creek, Spencer Creek and the Holland River are suspected to be in significant decline, as the species has not been observed in the last 20 years. Large reductions were reported for these watersheds in a 2007 status report by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, however survey effort has been low in some of these watersheds since then.

In June 2008, a new population was discovered in South Gully Creek and it is considered stable. After the discovery of Redside Dace within this watershed and with the support of stewardship funding, a partner in 2011 surveyed areas within the watershed and nearby watercourses to determine if Redside Dace was present elsewhere. They found Redside Dace at additional sites within the South Gully watershed indicating a larger range of the species within this watershed than was previously known. In addition, based on the size of the fish captured, the stream currently supports a variety of age classes, which is an indication of a healthy population.

Two Tree River on St. Joseph’s Island, as well as Carruther’s Creek and Gully Creek watersheds are considered to have remained stable since 2007. While some sub-watersheds of the Credit River, Fourteen Mile Creek, Rouge River and the Humber River have had small populations which are believed to be stable, the general watershed trend is one of decline. Specifically, populations in tributaries of the West Humber River appear to have stabilized following a suspected expansion prior to 2007, while populations in the other watersheds seem to have stabilized following range reductions. This change in trend is likely the result of better information resulting from increased survey efforts rather than changes in populations. There are four watersheds where Redside Dace are currently considered to be stable.

An increased understanding of the range of Redside Dace at a sub-watershed of the Credit River known as Silver Creek is now known. In 2007, this sub-watershed was thought to be undergoing a range reduction; however, in 2014, underwater videography was used to detect the species in an area beyond its previously known distribution.

Information presented in this section is based on expert opinion and the best information that was available at the time of publication. It does not represent a formal determination of species’ status for these locations. Encouraging the submission of Redside Dace observations is included in the GRS as a government-led action. Submission of records helps to redefine where the species is known and has been known to occur and can provide additional information on the species’ habitat and threats. Everyone is encouraged, or may be required by an authorization or approval, to submit observations of Redside Dace, as well as other species at risk, to the Ministry’s Natural Heritage Information Centre for incorporation into the provincial record of observations.

Summary of progress towards meeting the recovery goal and recommendations

Summary of progress

Progress has been made towards the majority of government-led and government-supported actions in the GRS for Redside Dace. As indicated in this chapter, the Government of Ontario has directly undertaken actions to: encourage submission of Redside Dace data to the Natural Heritage Information Centre; protect the species through the ESA and its habitat through a habitat regulation; maintain a database of Redside Dace distribution and ensure that information on the currently occupied range of the species is available to appropriate planning authorities; develop urban development guidelines to provide guidance where there is an interest in developing urban areas within Redside Dace habitat; ensure appropriate timing windows for activities in and around Redside Dace habitat are considered; and support partners to undertake activities to protect and recover the species. Additionally, as indicated in the introductory chapter of this document, the government has established and communicated annual priority actions for support (section 3.1); educated other agencies and planning authorities on the requirement to consider the protection of the species and its habitat (section 3.3 and 4.4); and undertaken communications and outreach to increase public awareness of species at risk in Ontario (section 4.3). An additional government-led action was to finalize and implement a framework for managing commercial baitfish harvest to protect Redside Dace populations. To date, a specific framework for Redside Dace has not been completed; however, shortly after the Redside Dace GRS was finalized, the Ministry initiated a comprehensive review of its current and potential provincial bait policies to help improve the management of bait used for the purposes of angling in Ontario. As part of this review, the Ministry is considering options that will minimize the impacts of bait harvesting operations on all aquatic species at risk in Ontario, including Redside Dace.

Progress has been made towards the majority of the government-supported recovery objectives, and a majority of the associated actions, that are identified in the GRS for Redside Dace.

Under the objective to rehabilitate degraded Redside Dace habitat in areas adjacent to occupied reaches, progress has been made toward three high priority actions. Collectively, the actions have been implemented through projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund or through conditions of authorizations or registrations, or a combination of those, as well as through Ministry research and independent efforts of academic researchers. The actions under this objective are:

• Evaluate the current condition of all Redside Dace populations and habitats to identify degraded Redside Dace habitat (Action No. 2; High Priority);
• Encourage development and use of Environmental Farm Plans and Nutrient Management Plans to incorporate best management practices for rural streams and drains that restore a healthy riparian zone, reduce livestock access, establish manure storage and runoff collection systems, encourage conservation tillage and reduce the impact of drains (Action No. 3; High Priority);
• Investigate the effectiveness of habitat rehabilitation work that has been completed to date. Where appropriate, continue riparian and in-stream work on existing rehabilitation projects and initiate projects on top priority areas that are adjacent to occupied reaches (Action No. 4; High Priority); and
• Investigate the feasibility and potential impacts of artificial propagation and wild fish transfers of Redside Dace. This may require an analysis of the local genetic diversity of Redside Dace populations (Action No. 5).

Under the objective to establish a long-term monitoring program to continue to determine the distribution, abundance, and associated trends of Redside Dace and its habitats, projects enabled through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, conditions of authorizations and registrations, as well as through Ministry research and independent efforts of academic researchers, have supported progress on three of the four actions, specifically:

• Implement a standard two-part monitoring program. The first broad-scale component should assess and map the presence or absence of Redside Dace through time in streams throughout its Ontario range. The second component should be conducted at representative sites to assess changes through time in population abundance and habitat conditions that result from restoration actions, and to compare the conditions of disturbed and undisturbed sites (Action No. 6; High Priority);
• Conduct research to identify the habitat areas that are required for spawning, incubation and larval development, investigate what habitat the species uses seasonally, particularly in winter and investigate the movements and physiological tolerances of Redside Dace (Action No. 7); and
• To inform the development of impact thresholds, further investigate the mechanisms of how urban development, agricultural practices, aggregate operations, and water taking contribute to declines in Redside Dace populations and impact population dynamics (Action No. 8).

Under the objective to increase awareness regarding the significance of Redside Dace and protection and stewardship of its habitat, progress has been made towards the recovery action. This action was implemented through projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund as well as conditions of authorizations and is:

• Increase the awareness of planners, developers and other interested stakeholders of Redside Dace and protection of the species and its habitat (Action No. 10).

Due to the results of intensive survey efforts and new methods, the range and population size of Redside Dace within certain watersheds has been more accurately assessed. Since 2008, the species has not been determined to have been extirpated in any watersheds. However, the importance of protecting watersheds that are considered stable has not diminished, nor has recovering watersheds that are experiencing decline. The ESA continues to provide protection for Redside Dace and its habitat which is consistent with the GRS recovery goal. Where feasible, increases in the distribution of Redside Dace adjacent to occupied reaches continue to be an objective of Redside Dace recovery. Substantial efforts have been implemented to restore degraded Redside Dace habitat to contribute to this aspect of the GRS recovery goal.

Recommendations

As stated in the GRS, the review of progress towards protecting and recovering Redside Dace can be used to help identify whether adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the species. Based on progress to-date, the overall direction provided in the GRS for Redside Dace should continue to guide protection and recovery actions for the species, particularly for those actions identified in the GRS as high priority. The following recommendations for the implementation of the GRS are suggested for moving forward with protection and recovery of Redside Dace:

• Investigating the effectiveness of habitat rehabilitation work is an essential component of a high priority action outlined in the GRS (Action No. 4). As habitat rehabilitation work is important to the recovery of the species, more progress toward investigating the effectiveness of completed projects will inform and enhance the success of future habitat rehabilitation work for Redside Dace.
• While progress has been made towards the first component of implementing a standard two-part monitoring program at a broad scale, implementing actions that address the second component of the monitoring program to conduct monitoring at representative sites to assess changes through time in population abundance and habitat conditions that result from restoration action, and to compare the conditions of disturbed and undisturbed sites would be beneficial and is identified as a high priority action in the GRS (Action No. 6).
• Actions for which progress has been limited should be supported in future implementation planning, such as support the securement of lands within catchment areas that contain Redside Dace populations with a high likelihood of survival through existing land securement and stewardship programs (Action No. 1) and investigate the impacts that introduced fish species have on Redside Dace and the streams in which they occur (Action No. 9).

Moving forward, protecting and recovering Redside Dace will continue to be a shared responsibility that will require the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities. Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario or the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program. The Ministry can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake a project. By working together, progress can continue to be made towards protecting and recovering Redside Dace in Ontario.

Summary of progress toward the protection and recovery of the Redside Dace in Ontario (2007 to 2014)

Provincial status

• The Redside Dace is classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). Prior to its transition to the ESA, Redside Dace was listed as threatened. It was reassessed by COSSARO as endangered and its status was updated on the Species at Risk List in 2009. The species has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken since 2008, and its habitat has been protected from damage or destruction since 2009.

Species-specific documents and guidance published by the government

• Recovery Strategy for Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) in Ontario (2010)
• Redside Dace: Ontario Government Response Statement (2010)
• Redside Dace Habitat Regulation (Ontario Regulation 242/08; 2011)

Government-supported stewardship projects

• Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“the Ministry”) has enabled its stewardship partners to conduct a total of 40 projects that have supported the protection and recovery of Redside Dace. Nineteen projects ($310,803) focused exclusively on Redside Dace, while the other 21 projects ($875,095) focused on multiple species at risk, including Redside Dace.
• The Ministry’s support helped its stewardship partners to involve 3,243 individuals who volunteered 15,234 hours of their time toward protection and recovery activities for multiple species at risk, including Redside Dace. The estimated value of these voluntary contributions and other in-kind support is $1,758,590.
• Stewardship partners reported that through their actions 120 hectares of habitat were enhanced for Redside Dace and other species at risk that inhabit the same ecosystem.
• Stewardship partners reported providing outreach on multiple species at risk, including Redside Dace to 197,690 individuals.

Supporting human activities while ensuring appropriate support for species recovery

• The Ministry has issued 81 permits for this species: two ‘health or safety permits’ were issued under clause 17(2) (a), 53 ‘protection and recovery permits’ were issued under clause 17(2)(b) and 26 ‘overall benefit permits’ were issued under clause 17(2)(c) of the ESA.
• A total of six agreements were entered into for Redside Dace prior to the amendment of Ontario Regulation 242/08.
• Fifty-three activities have been registered for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 242/08 under the ESA for this species. Activities are registered under ’Aquatic species’ (section 23.4), ‘Ecosystem protection’ (section 23.11) and ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18). Forty-nine mitigation reports have been approved in accordance with the requirements for ‘Development and infrastructure – redside dace’ (section 23.1).

Occurrences and distribution

• Redside Dace are thought to presently persist in 17 watersheds in Ontario. Of these, there are 13 watersheds experiencing declines, four watersheds that are considered stable, while additional survey effort has found Redside Dace in a broader distribution of a tributary of the Credit River. Since 2008, Redside Dace have been recently discovered in an additional watershed in South Gully Creek, in Huron County.

References and related information

• Accommodating Species at Risk: How Ontario farmers provide habitat for wildlife in peril through the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP)
• Bronnenhuber, J.E and C.C. Wilson. 2013. Combining species-specific COI primers with environmental DNA analysis for targeted detection of rare freshwater species. Conservation Genetics Resources 5: 971-975.
• Categorizing and Protecting Habitat under the Endangered Species Act
• Environmental Farm Plan
• Guidance for Development Activities in Redside Dace Protected Habitat - Draft
• Natural Heritage Information Centre
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act Regulation 242/08
• Ontario Recovery Strategy and Government Response Statement for Redside Dace
• Pitcher, T. E., Beneteau, C. L., Walter, R. P., Wilson, C. C., Mandrak, N. E., and D. D. Heath. 2009. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Redside Dace, Clinostomus elongatus. Conservation Genetics Resources, 1(1): 381-383.
• Policy Guidance on Harm and Harass under the Endangered Species Act
• Provincial Bait Policy Review Information Notice on the Environmental Registry (EBR Registry Number 012-1043)
• Reid, S. M., Jones, N. E., and G. Yunker. 2008. Evaluation of single-pass electrofishing and rapid habitat assessment for monitoring redside dace. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 28(1): 50-56.
• Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program
• Species at Risk in Ontario List
• Species at Risk Stewardship Fund
• Wilson, C. and E. Wright. 2013. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool in risk-based decision-making. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aquatic Research and Development Section, Aquatic Research Series 2013-01.