In 1999 the Government of Canada produced the Federal Strategy Towards the Protection of Species at Risk, which outlined its intent to partner with provinces and territories, promote stewardship and incentive programs, and to introduced the Species at Risk Act (SARA). This federal endangered species legislation was brought into force in 2003 to ensure that all species and their critical habitats receive the protection necessary for their survival and recovery.

The DFO Maritimes Region has a Species at Risk Coordination Office that is working closely with other regional and national federal, provincial and non-governmental agencies to help aquatic species at risk in the Maritimes survive and recover to self-sustainable levels.

For more information on aquatic species at risk in the Maritimes, see Species Information.

For more information on national and regional programs to help such species recover, see Programs.