NLIS 2
January 6, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)

Three new species to be protected under Endangered Species Act

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne today announced that two new plant and one animal species will be given special protection under the province�s Endangered Species Act.

Minister Osborne said the species will be added as soon as possible to the endangered species list following assessments by the Species Status Advisory Committee (SSAC) and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The SSAC was created under the province's Endangered Species Act to carry out status assessment of species of provincial concern. COSEWIC is recognized under the Endangered Species Act as the national body which provides advise on species of national concern but which occur in this province. 

The three new species to be listed under the Endangered Species Act are: 

Endangered:

Red Crossbill - The Red Crossbill (percna) is a small bird (finch), six inches long, with a unique crossed bill, and has been found in the mature forested areas across Newfoundland. It is a unique subspecies known only to the island portion of the province and has become extremely rare in recent years with only several nests being found in the past 30 years. 

Low Northern Rockcress - The Low Northern Rockcress (neotorularia humilis)occurs at only one location in the province, on the west coast of the island. It is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae.

Threatened:

Porsild�s Bryum - The Porsild's Bryum (Bryum porsildii) is a tiny moss with only six known locations in the province on the tip of the Northern Peninsula. The majority of the Canadian population occurs in this province.

"Government is committed to protecting and preserving species that are at risk in our province and ensuring that all species are listed in a timely manner," said Minister Osborne. "We accept the assessments by SSAC and COSEWIC who based their recommendations on the best available scientific and local knowledge on these species. The criteria used is nationally and internationally recognized as providing an objective assessment of the status of a species and, therefore, government supports these listing processes." 

Minister Osborne said listing the three species not only protects the species, but also their residence. "We will continue to take the necessary action to protect species which are in danger of becoming extinct," he said. "Listing these species is a formal and legal recognition of their plight and that these species need extra protection offered by the Endangered Species Act." 

The minister said the next step in the recovery process for the three species is to establish recovery teams and recovery plans. "The legal listing and the protections it offers are only a first step. Equally important is the establishment of recovery teams and the preparation of recovery plans," said Minister Osborne. "A recovery team will be struck in the very near future for the Red Crossbill, while a recovery team that already exists for plants of limestone barren habitat will incorporate the two newly listed plant species in its recovery efforts."

Under the Endangered Species Act, recovery plans for endangered species are required within one year and within two years for threatened species. 

"Recovery teams are made up of stakeholders, researchers and wildlife managers familiar with the species," said Minister Osborne. "For example, in the case of the Red Crossbill, people from the forest industry and forest managers will be invited to participate in recognition of the role they can play in habitat management. The recovery team that exists for plants is already incorporating community involvement on the Northern Peninsula into the team's plans and activities." 

Minister Osborne said listing these new species under the Endangered Species Act also reaffirms the province's commitment made under the Accord for the Conservation of Species at Risk to protect and legally list species at risk, which was signed in 1996.

"This province boasts many unique plant and animal species," said the minister. "Government will take the necessary action to ensure the protection of these species, which are an important part of our environment and natural heritage." 

The three new listings brings to 23 the total number of species, subspecies and populations that are listed under the province�s Endangered Species Act, including eight endangered, seven threatened and eight vulnerable. 

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-6612 

2005 01 06                         11:30 a.m.