Species at Risk Act

Code of Conduct

The Species at Risk Act (SARA) was created in 2003 to help prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct or extirpated in Canada. This legislation provides the legal mechanism to protect species at risk, a responsibility shared by all Canadians. Whether you are a recreational fisher, lodge owner, fishingtour operator, or tackle or boat retailer, it is important to understand your legal obligations under SARA and how you can help protect species at risk.

SARA: What it means for recreational fishing

Under SARA, you cannot kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade a species listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened under SARA. This is the case whether the individual member of the species is living or dead, and applies to the whole animal and any of its parts. It is also illegal to destroy their critical habitats or residences. For example, it is illegal to fish an extirpated, endangered or threatened SARA listed species.

Changes to recreational fishing regulations and opportunities may include reductions in bycatch of listed species, changes to fishing gear, and changes in fishing season openings or fishing areas. As a recreational fisher, it is important for you to be aware of any changes to fishing practices that arise as a result of a SARA listing, recovery strategy or action plan. You can find this information through DFO publications and guides as well as on DFO’s website.

Species at Risk on BC’s coast

Aquatic species classified as ‘at risk’ in Pacific Region include marine mammals, shellfish, crustaceans, marine and freshwater fishes, and marine reptiles. For a current list of Pacific species at risk, please visit the DFO SARA website.

How can YOU help?

As a recreational fisher, your activities bring you into contact with many of these species. You can play an important role in helping to protect them by providing information about sightings, reporting violations, and in your fishing and boating practices. You can also help protect them in these ways:

• Avoid bycatch
• View aquatic wildlife from a safe distance
• Participate in SARA consultations
• Report all poaching and violations: 1-800-465-4336
• Report sightings!
  • For marine mammals and turtles: 1-866-I SAW ONE (472-9663)
  • For sharks: 1-800-50-SHARK (507-4275)

Further Information

For more information, please visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s SARA website, or contact us directly at: sara@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.