Environment and Conservation
March 16, 2011
Management Plans Released for the Mountain Fern and the American Eel
In accordance with the provisions of the Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act, the Minister of Environment and Conservation, the Honourable Ross Wiseman, announced today the release of provincial management plans for the mountain fern (Thelypteris quelpaertensis) and the American eel (Anguilla rostrata). Both species were listed as vulnerable under the act in 2007.
“Management plans are a key step in the conservation of rare species that have been listed as vulnerable,” said Minister Wiseman. “These management plans identify continued research into population trends and mitigation of threats to habitat and individuals as important objectives, and I am pleased that such plans are now in place for the mountain fern and American eel.”
The mountain fern is a colony, or crown-forming fern, with light green fronds that can reach heights of 75 centimetres. It is found in Eastern Asia, Korea and the northwest coast of North America. With only a single population of mountain fern occurring in the province, biologists believe it likely that this species has always been rare. First discovered in 1973, this population is restricted to a few closely-associated patches in Gros Morne National Park. Although it is legally protected within the national park, its small distribution makes it vulnerable to human disturbance and climate change.
The American eel is a freshwater eel that breeds in the Sargasso Sea, a region in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, but grows and matures in the province’s freshwater rivers, lakes and estuaries. Eels are present in many coastal rivers in Newfoundland, and as far north as the English River in Labrador. Eels are fished commercially, recreationally and by Aboriginal peoples in the province. Population declines have been documented for American eels over the past three decades throughout much of this species’ range. Within the province, surveys indicated decreased numbers in the 1990s. Commercial logbook landings data indicated a decrease in both annual landings and participation in the fishery from 1990 to 2009.
The management authority for the American eel in Newfoundland and Labrador is the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Because it is listed as vulnerable under the provincial Endangered Species Act, a management plan was required and developed. The plan outlines management actions that include fisheries-independent monitoring programs and habitat related actions that may be undertaken by provincial agencies. Management efforts for mountain fern will focus on determining trends in reproductive output and defining habitat requirements to identify areas of potential habitat for the species.
“We recognize the many unique species that are part of the various ecosystems in our province, and we also recognize the need to help ensure their long-term survival,” said Minister Wiseman. “We will continue in our efforts to help identify and offer protection to these species.”
To review the plans, visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/endangeredspecies/index.html
For more information on endangered species, contact the Wildlife Division at 709-637-2026.
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Media contact:
Melony O’Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
2011 03 16
10:10 a.m.