Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 10

Existing Protection or Other Status Designations

No specific protection measures are in place for this species, although general protection is available under specific sections of the Fisheries Act, which provides general protection for all fish species and habitats. There are also regulations and guidelines protecting waters from industrial and private operations under the Crown Lands and Forest Act and the Clean Water Act, which are enforced by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environment.

The redbreast sunfish was assessed by COSEWIC in 1989, and listed as a species of Special Concern. It is currently listed on Schedule 3 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), which requires a re-assessment prior to consideration of listing under SARA. No program is yet in place for the conservation of this species. It is given no specific status in the New Brunswick angling regulations, as anglers do not generally target the species.

In New Brunswick, the redbreast sunfish is ranked as Secure in the Province, and Nationally (Canadian Endangered Species Council 2006). Globally, it is ranked by NatureServe as G5 (common, widespread and abundant); it is listed as N5 (common) in the United States, and has not been ranked in Maine; or nationally for Canada, although the provincial listing is S4 (secure) for New Brunswick (NatureServe 2007).

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