Fisheries and Oceans Canada proposed adding or reclassifying 15 aquatic species populations under the Species at Risk Act and opened a 30-day public comment period.

Eleven proposed additions include porbeagle, darkblotched rockfish, North Pacific spiny dogfish, two winter-skate populations, Atlantic basking shark and both Little Quarry Lake threespine stickleback species.

The proposal would also move warmouth and the Cultus Lake population of coastrange sculpin to endangered status. It would divide the existing Rocky Mountain sculpin listing into Missouri River and Saskatchewan–Nelson River populations.

The government says final recommendations will consider scientific assessments, Indigenous and public consultation, provincial and territorial views and possible socioeconomic effects. Publication and consultation do not themselves complete the listings; a later federal decision is required.