Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA)




was created to protect many aquatic species including fish, reptiles, marine mammals and molluscs. Find out what it means for you, especially if you are a commercial fisher, aquaculturist, recreational fisher, recreational boater, Aboriginal, scientist, researcher or involved in an activity that might impact the habitat of species at risk.




		Check out the January consultations meeting schedule for the Atlantic Walrus More >> 42 species added for protection under the Species at Risk Act. More >> Report on the potential socio-economic impacts of listing the porbeagle shark under SARA. More >> Northern Bottlenose Whale (Scotian Shelf) and Channel Darter protected under the Species at Risk Act. More >> Report on the potential socio-economic impacts of listing cod under SARA. More >> How to apply for a SARA permit for scientific research More >>



Eastern Sand Darter


Robert A. Daniels, New York State Museum
Once populous over a wide territory, eastern sand darters have been dwindling in numbers since the start of the 20th century—and have vanished entirely from some of their original territory. In Canada, this species has been found in Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, and in the St. Lawrence River and Lac Champlain. Specimens are still found in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, and in a number of rivers in southwestern Ontario and Quebec. Deteriorating water quality is suspected to have caused the decline and in some cases extirpation (local extinction) of this species in Montreal and Chateauguay, Quebec. The eastern sand darter is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Full Story >>

Eastern Sand Darter