Background & History
The
Nova Scotia Endangered
Species Act (NS ESA) was proclaimed in 1999 and was one of the
first provincial endangered species acts in Canada. This
Act protects
species in NS that have been assessed and determined to be at risk of
extinction. There are over 20 species that are legally listed under
the act - view complete list.
The Act prohibits
the killing or disturbing species at risk (s11),
destroying or disturbing its residence (s13), and destroying or disturbing
of core
habitat (s13). Penalties, both for individuals and
corporations, can be incurred when the Act is violated (s13).
To view the full
NS Endangered Species Act
click on the image above-right. See also the
Regulations under the NS Endangered Species Act.
For more detailed information on the NS Endangered Species Act
please contact us.
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Species Assessment Process
Species listed under the NS Endangered Species Act are listed by the NS Species at Risk Working Group
which consists of at least five academic biologists who,
independent of government, scientifically evaluate the status
of species.
The NS Species at Risk Working Group status is assigned based on an
assessment of biological factors and rigorous assessment criteria,
followed by classification into categories (see categories
below) based on level of risk. Species listed as at risk
are then approved by the responsible minister and are included
on the list of species at risk in NS and are then protected
under the provincial NS Endangered Species Act. There
are currently 24 species at risk in NS:
view
legally listed species at risk.
NS Endangered Species Working Group - NS
Endangered Species Act
Species listed as at risk by the NS
Endangered Species Working Group are approved by the responsible minister and are included on
the list of species at risk in NS and are then protected under the
provincial NS Endangered Species Act.
The status assigned by the NS Endangered Species Working Group is based on an
assessment of biological factors and rigorous assessment criteria,
followed by classification into categories based on level of risk. Status categories are as follows:
-
Endangered - a species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
-
Threatened - a species likely to become endangered
if limiting factors are not reversed.
-
Vulnerable - a species of special concern because
of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human
activities or natural events.
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COSEWIC (Committee on
the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) - Species at Risk
Act
Species listed as at risk by
COSEWIC (Committee
on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) are
approved by the appropriate minister and are included on the Schedule 1
which means they are protected under the national Species at Risk Act
(SARA).
The COSEWIC status is assigned based on an assessment of biological
factors and rigorous assessment criteria, followed by classification into
categories based on level of risk. Status categories are as
follows:
-
Endangered - a species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
-
Threatened - a species likely to become endangered
if limiting factors are not reversed.
-
Special Concern
- (formerly “vulnerable”) a species of special concern
because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human
activities or natural events.
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General
Status
For more detailed information on the General Status assessment
process please visit the General
Status web page.
The Nova Scotia General
Status Rankings are based on a set of criteria that are evaluated by a
group of scientists and wildlife experts. NS General Status ranks are as
follows:
-
Red - any species known to
be, or believed to be, at risk.
-
Yellow - any species known to
be, or believed to be, particularly sensitive to human activities or
natural events.
-
Green - any
species known to be, or believed to be, not at risk.
-
Grey - Indeterminate species,
insufficient information to determine status
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