Trends in Fish and Wildlife Management in Canada

Transcription

1 Trends in Fish and Wildlife in Canada Rick Bates and David Browne

2 Two part study: 1. Interviews with provincial, territorial, and federal government divisions of fish and wildlife/biodiversity. 2. Review of budget expenditures on fish and wildlife and biodiversity conservation by provincial, territorial, and federal governments.

3 Purpose: To identify conservation priorities envisioned across Canada for the next 2-5 years To identify trends in government investment in conservation To guide CWF and other NGO conservation initiatives

4 Part 1 Interviews Method loosely structured interviews, responses organized by theme Not all governments have the same mandate, scope of programming, geography, gov. priorities, population levels

5 Main program drivers identified: Increased pressure for industrial expansion Multiple stressors in region Info needed to manage land-use e.g. georeferenced data, indicators, thresholds Demographic changes (connection to wildlife) and polarized stakeholders

6 Priority Issues Identified: 11 key issues that fell into three consensus levels: Highest 6 (ID d by all or most as high priority) Secondary 2 (ID d by more than two managers) Third Order 3 (ID d by one or two managers)

7 Highest Priorities: 1.Landscape level work o Less single species o System/connectivity perspective o Far better info on cumulative impacts

8 2. Fish and wildlife management info available and incorporated into econ development agendas o decision assist models, indicators, thresholds, combined ecosystem and species - dynamic picture 3. Species at risk programs that are manageable and meet public expectations and legislative requirements o landscape/multi species, integration of efforts

9 4. Strengthened relations with Aboriginal people and organizations o better understanding/support on all sides 5. Managing human-wildlife conflict 6. Engaging Canadians on importance and value of wildlife

10 Secondary Priorities: 1. Invasive species 2. Strengthened stewardship tools Third Order Priorities: 1. Legislative renewal (cumulative effects, invasives) 2. Wildlife disease 3. Partnerships

11 Part 2 Spending Review (preliminary findings) Goal: Assess trends in how dollars are spent to inform NGO priorities for science, management and outreach activities Approach: 1) review publically available information 2) provide summary information to Ministers for review and seek greater level of detail Challenges: minimal detail in public documents; reorganizations and changes in responsibility buried in the numbers; changes in method of reporting

12 Prov./Terr. Spending $200 to $250 million per year excluding BC & NS Spending relatively stable over past 8 years Significant increases in Ontario (ESA) and Newfoundland (enhanced enforcement)

13 Federal Spending $125 to $200 million for migratory birds and species at risk $80 to $145 million for freshwater science, fish habitat, and aquatic species at risk Large fluctuations with recent declines

14 Spending per Capita $4 to $22 per capita in provinces High cost per capita in territories Preliminary data. Not fully standardized

15 Spending per Total Area Federal spending in line with lower end of prov./terr. Several provinces and territories have vast areas to manage with limited tax base to support conservation

16 Next Steps: Gather and analyse financial and staffing data on main fish and wildlife, and biodiversity program components Focus on Science,, and Outreach Identify key fish and wildlife, and biodiversity program priorities and identify partnership opportunities. Advice and opportunities for collaboration welcome