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Human greed has led to the decline of many seal populations. In the past, millions of seals were killed for their valuable meat, blubber, and pelts. In some countries seals are still killed in large numbers because fishermen blame them for the decline in fish.
- Overview
- On this page
- About COSEWIC
- Summary tables
- COSEWIC assessment results
- Record of reviews of classification
- Names previously used by COSEWIC and synonyms
Committee on the status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
October 2020
•About COSEWIC
•Summary tables
•COSEWIC assessment results
•Record of reviews of classification
•Names previously used by COSEWIC and synonyms
Document information
COSEWIC Mandate
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native wildlife species including the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.
COSEWIC Membership
COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal agencies (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittees.
Definitions
The following definitions are used by COSEWIC: Wildlife Species A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and it is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years. Extinct (X) A wildlife species that no longer exists. Extirpated (XT) A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere. Endangered (E) A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened (T) A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. Special Concern (SC) * A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered wildlife species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. Not at Risk (NAR) ** A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances. Data Deficient (DD) *** A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a wildlife species' eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the wildlife species' risk of extinction. * Formerly described as "Vulnerable" from 1990 to 1999, or "Rare" prior to 1990. ** Formerly described as "Not In Any Category", or "No Designation Required." ***Formerly described as "Indeterminate" from 1994 to 1999 or "ISIBD" (insufficient scientific information on which to base a designation) prior to 1994.
Wildlife species designated in the "risk" and the Extinct categories, as well as the Not at Risk and Data Deficient categoriesResults from the November 2019 COSEWIC meeting (Tables 4-5)Explanation of wildlife species status terminology and symbols↑ Wildlife species placed in a higher risk category after review of classification on the date shown. ↓ Wildlife species placed in a lower risk category after review of classification on the date shown. ↔ Wildlife species stays in the same category after review of classification on the date shown. ☼ Wildlife species moved to the Data Deficient category from a risk category, or to a risk category from the Data Deficient category on the date shown. ↻ Wildlife species that has been assigned to a different designatable unit than previously on the date shown. √ Wildlife species moved to the Not at Risk category from a risk category on the date shown. (no symbol) New wildlife species examined on the date shown.The tables that follow (tables 6-9) are organized by status category and then by taxonomic group. For each wildlife species, the information provided includes the common name, scientific name, population name, and range of occurrence in Canada (by province, territory or ocean). The most recent date of COSEWIC assessment is shown. The symbols on the left provide information on the outcome of reviews of classification (see explanation of symbols on page three).
The first COSEWIC "Endangered Wildlife Species List" was issued in 1978. In 1990, it was decided that all wildlife species considered by COSEWIC should be included in this document even if the wildlife species were in the Not at Risk or Data Deficient categories. Therefore, this document is divided into four sections. The first section (Table 6) includes wildlife species assessed and designated as Extinct. The second section (Table 7) includes wildlife species assessed and designated as Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern. The third section (Table 8) includes wildlife species assessed and found to be in the Not at Risk category. The fourth section (Table 9) includes wildlife species considered by COSEWIC and placed in the Data Deficient category because of insufficient scientific information to resolve a wildlife species' eligibility for assessment or to assess risk of extinction.
A short history is provided for each wildlife species that has been reassessed by COSEWIC, including date(s) of assessment and the status assigned.
Acadian Flycatcher Designated Endangered in April 1994. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2000 and April 2010.
Alaskan Brook Lamprey Species considered in April 1990 and in April 2006 and placed in the Data Deficient category.
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander The species was considered a single unit and designated Special Concern in April 1998. Status re-examined and designated Threatened in November 2001. Split into two populations in April 2007. The original designation was de-activated.
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Appalachian population) The species was considered a single unit and designated Special Concern in April 1998. Status re-examined and designated Threatened in November 2001. Split into two populations in April 2007. The Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population was designated Threatened in April 2007. Population name changed to Appalachian population in April 2018; status re-examined and designated Endangered.
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Carolinian population) The species was considered a single unit and designated Special Concern in April 1998. Split into two populations in April 2007. The Carolinian population was designated Endangered in April 2007. Status re-examined and confirmed in April 2018.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976.
It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national classification of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first wildlife species and produced its first list of Canadian wildlife species at risk.
In 2002, COSEWIC celebrated 25 years of science-based assessment of the status of wildlife species at risk in Canada.
On June 5th 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body, ensuring that wildlife species will continue to be assessed using the best available scientific, community, and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge.
The Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) Subcommittee held its inaugural meeting in February 2006. The ATK Subcommittee has recently developed the COSEWIC ATK Process and Protocols Guidelines. The ATK Subcommittee is currently implementing these guidelines in order to integrate ATK into the wildlife species assessment process.
Even after over forty years of existence, COSEWIC continues to evolve and to fine-tune its operations in an effort to do its job in the best possible manner.
Jun 27, 2018 · Ringed Seal is not listed on any appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and they are “Least Concern” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (as both species and Arctic subspecies).
Dec 18, 2023 · This month, DFO scientists slashed their estimate of the harp seal population — primarily off Newfoundland and Labrador — down to 4.7 million from 7.6 million, based on new modelling. The...
While many wild fish stocks are decreasing, the seal population continues to grow at a strong rate to a point it may actually threaten ecosystem biodiversity. According to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species: Harp Seal and Grey Seal are of LEAST CONCERN.
Oct 27, 2021 · Canada is home to six species of seal – harp, grey, ringed, harbour, hooded and bearded – thought to total over 10 million. These seal populations, all of them healthy and growing, play a major role in the marine ecosystem, but how they should be managed is controversial.
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Forty-four per cent of reef-building coral species globally are at risk of extinction, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ reveals following a global assessment announced today at the ongoing COP29 UN climate conference in Azerbaijan.
