Exotic Species Regulations - Environment and Conservation

Why are we concerned?
For more information visit the following websites:
Invasive alien species can impact native
species and natural ecosystems several ways:
Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora—Canada :
http://www.cites.ca
Human Impacts
Canadian Biodiversity Network:
http://www.cbin.ec.gc.ca
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Financial costs -
Costs incurred from
monitoring, control and removal of invasive
species in a region can be significant. Socioeconomic costs, including loss of income
generated from impacted natural resources,
decreased property value and property damage
may result from species introductions.
Disease transmission and human health New species may be carriers of diseases that
can infect native wildlife populations, or
humans.
Additionally, the introduction of
venomous exotic plants and animals may pose
potential threats to human health and safety.
Ecosystem Impacts
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Competition – Increased competition for food
and habitat resources may cause a decline in
native populations.
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Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,
Wild Life Legislation:
http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/legislation.htm
An Act Respecting the Protection of Plants and the
Prevention of the Spread of Pests and Diseases
Destructive to Vegetation: Act:
http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/p16.htm
Threats to trade - Export trade may be
impacted as a result of restrictive trade
measures that are implemented in order to
prevent the entry of recognized pests that may
threaten agriculture or forest crops in a region.
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To acquire a permit to import wild life into the
province, or for more information on exotic and
invasive species contact:
Department of Environment and Conservation
Wildlife Division
Endangered Species and Biodiversity
Phone: (709) 637-2026
http://www.gov.nl.ca
To acquire a permit to import livestock into the
province, contact:
Department of Natural Resources
Animal Health Division
Phone: (709) 729-6879
Fax: (709) 729-0055
http://www.gov.nl.ca
Biological homogenization - Decreasing
biological or genetic diversity of an ecosystem
has the potential to alter the stability of the
system, reducing its ability to respond to
change.
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An Exotic,
Exotic or alien species, is any organism
that exists outside its’ natural range, in
locations that could not have been reached
without direct or indirect assistance from
humans. Exotics that become established in
natural or semi-natural ecosystems or
habitats are referred to as invasive alien
species.
species The invasion and spread of exotics
in an area can have severe, and often
irreversible, impacts on the environment,
economy and society.
Alteration of ecosystem functions - Natural
ecosystem cycles, including hydrology,
nutrient cycling, contaminant absorption,
and energy flows may be altered by the
introduction of exotic species.
Exotic Species
Regulations:
Travel, Possession
and Import
Blue spotted salamanders are
found in Labrador, but not on
the island of Newfoundland.
The provincial Wild Life Act
prohibits the transport of this
species to the island.
J. Harding
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Second only to habitat loss, invasive alien
species are the most significant threat to
biodiversity, according to the World
Conservation Union.1
Blue spotted salamander
There are several pathways of introduction, in
which exotic species may enter the province,
including:
Unintentional
Intentional
- Transport on pets
- Introduction as food
- Transport on wooden - Unauthorized
packaging material
introductions
- Living souvenirs
- Ornamental plants
- On vehicles and in
boats
- Biocontrol agents
Funding Provided By:
Department of Environment and Conservation.
When traveling take measures to ensure you
are not acting as a host to an exotic species,
this includes understanding the current
applicable regulations and legislations.
Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program.
Cover photos by: Boreal chorus frog (K. Kendell); zebra mussel (J. Moffi); raccoon (B.Weinert);
common milkweed (M. Below); ferry (J. Park); truck with canoe (M. Romer), aircraft and motor home
(A. Park)
1 Source: Government of Canada. 2004. Invasive Alien Species
Strategy for Canada
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Developed under the Newfoundland and
Labrador Wild Life Act (1992).
Restricts the import, and possession of
non-native wild life into the province, or
onto the island portion of the province from
Labrador.
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Prohibits the release of any wild life that
has been imported or that has been
propagated from imported stock onto the
natural landscape.
Some animals you can travel with without a permit:
Prohibits individuals from bringing in or
transporting around the province for sale,
possession, trade or disposal plants, plant
containers, soil, machinery, equipment or
vehicles that are infected or infested with
pests.
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Developed under the provincial Natural
Products Marketing Act (2005).
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Controls the import, transport around the
province, and possession of berries that
originate in areas infested with the blueberry maggot.
J. Brazli
Cockatiel
Domestic Dog
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Prohibits the import of honeybees, honeybee hives, mink or swine into the province
without a permit from the Director of
Animal Health or an inspector designated
by him or her for that purpose.
B.Muggridge
Developed under the Livestock Health Act
(2006).
K. Miller
•
Domestic Cat
Hamster
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International agreement to ensure that
international trade of wild plant and animal
specimens does not threaten species
survival.
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Import, export, re-export, and introduction of
species protected by the Convention is
regulated by an authorized licensing system
requiring permits prior to transport.
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Species protected are listed in either
Appendix 1, 2, or 3 of the Convention,
depending on the degree of protection
required.
Garter Snake
Snapping Turtle
What can I do to minimize the
potential for introductions when
traveling?
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Wash all recreational vehicles when you are
finished, exotic species may hitch a ride on
boats, all terrain vehicles, and bikes.
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Know the regulations. Be aware of any plants
or animals that you may be prohibited from
traveling with.
•
Leave living souvenirs behind. Even seemingly
harmless fruits and plants may carry harmful
invasive insects, pests, or diseases.
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When traveling with pets, take precautions to
ensure that they are not acting as a carrier for
unwanted pests.
•
Declare all items at customs when returning
from international destinations.
Tropical Fish
Livestock Health Regulations (2004)
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,
CITES, (1975)
Raccoon
Zebra Mussel
B. Campbell
Berry Regulations (1996)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Plant
Protection Act may require a certificate
signed by an official stating that the plant is
apparently free from pests when entering the
province from another location.
Remember, it is illegal to release any
animal into natural ecosystems!!
Newfoundland and Labrador Plant Protection
Act (1996)
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Schedule B of the Newfoundland and
Labrador Wild Life Act Regulations lists
animals that are exempt from the
prohibitions restricting import into the
province. These animals can be brought into
the province without a permit.
B. Weinart
Life
International and National Regulations:
Wild Animal and Plant Protection and
Regulation of International and Interprovincial
Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) (1992)
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T. Osmond
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Wild
©Martin Ouellet/Amphibia-Nature
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Labrador
Without a permit, you must leave behind things
such as:
J. Moffi
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and
M. Murphy
Newfoundland
Regulations
What is per mitted?
I. McIntosh
Provincial Regulations:
As Canada’s commitment to CITES, the
provisions of WAPPRIITA control the import,
export, sale and inter-provincial transport of
all wild species and their derivatives.
There has been extensive
poaching and illegal trafficking of
many black bear species
internationally. This has lead to
serious population declines in
some species. To offer protection to declining
species the American black bear has been
included in Appendix 2 of CITES. This aids in the
prevention of misidentification of rare bear
derivatives as American black bear.