Fur harvesters were asked again last year to record their perception of population levels for 16 animal species. Population levels for five of those species have been reported for twelve years, while reports on population levels for the other eleven species have been added more recently

This has been a very successful program as it gives us the ability to draw on hundreds of skilled observers, who tell us how abundant each species is in their area. We encourage all fur harvesters to fill in this section of their report form, as higher numbers of participants increases the accuracy of the data.

Rankings for individual counties may not provide a reliable picture of annual trends because of low response numbers from some areas. The summaries for each of the three regions, as well as the provincial totals, are considered very reliable. The table shows results for the 2000-01 season. The numbers are averages calculated by assigning values to the ranks selected by each fur harvester. The values given to the ranks are shown under the table.

The lowest possible value for a County is "0", which means that all respondents in that County felt that none of that particular species was present in their area. The highest possible value is "4" which means that all respondents from that County felt that numbers for that species were "very high".

This type of information is most valuable when looking at changes from year to year, and graphs are presented to show the rankings for five species over a nine year period for all of Nova Scotia.

Where are the Lynx?

The Canada Lynx was once very common on Cape Breton Island. Competition with bobcat and coyote, the crash of the snowshoe hare in the highlands, along with other factors, have contributed to a significant population decline in recent years. DNR staff are trying to determine the present range and numbers of lynx on the island.

• Carefully release any live lynx accidentally captured in a trap.
• Report and submit any lynx accidentally killed in a trap to your local DNR office.
• Keep a written record of where and when you see lynx or lynx sign during the trapping season. Return it along with your Fur Harvester Report at the end of the trapping season.

These traps meet the time to loss of consciousness and sensibility thresholds as set out in the Agreement.

Killing traps similar to those listed above could meet these standards, provided that their mechanical values are shown, through testing, to be adequate.

These traps meet the injury thresholds as set out in the Agreement.

The above lists apply to traps meeting specific performance requirements as set out in the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards. They are subject to certification by 2007, by the provincial and territorial governments and those Aboriginal agencies sanctioned to regulate trapping methods.

The tables preceding were reproduced from information produced and provided by the Trap Research and Development Committee (TRDC) of the Fur Institute of Canada (FIC). The TRDC of the FIC continues to make significant progress in testing both commonly used and newly developed and modified traps against the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). The measure of this progress is clearly evidenced in the numbers of traps which have been rated and added to the list of those found to meet the thresholds set out in the AIHTS.

The FIC-TRDC website at http://www.fur.ca/humane_trap/results2.html provides access to the most up to date published list of traps found to meet the requirements of the AIHTS. Please check periodically for new traps which may have been added to the list.

Trapping nuisance wildlife has historically been under government jurisdiction. In 1993, it was opened up to private business. The Nuisance Wildlife Operators Association of Nova Scotia (NWOANS) was formed about five years ago with the goal of establishing a code of ethics and working guidelines for this area of work. The Association also looks after the interests of the nuisance wildlife operators across the province in dealing with government regulations, and in determining what steps should be taken to ensure the best interests of the animals and the public are served.

The NWOANS is open to anyone who is a licensed nuisance wildlife operator in Nova Scotia. We meet annually (on the last weekend in April), and have demonstrations at the meetings, as well as a representative from the Department of Natural Resources present. One of our latest initiatives is working to set up a training course specifically geared toward dealing with nuisance animals.

Many challenges lie ahead for the nuisance wildlife industry, including inevitable scrutiny from the media and the public and promoting the fur industry as a viable wildlife management tool. Our focus must remain on education, both for our clients and the general public.

Membership in the Association costs $20 a year, and applications can be sent to:

In late 1997, the European Union (EU), Canada, and Russia signed the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS or the Agreement). This Agreement averted the implementation of European legislation that would have prohibited the importing of 13 species of wild furs into Europe from Canada. The effects of such a ban would have been very serious, directly affecting all our major furbearing species except mink and fox. Likely even the market for these would have been indirectly affected. The industry has been seeking and developing alternate markets (for example Asian countries), but the European market currently accounts for approximately 70 per cent on the market for Canadian wild fur.

The United States had previously withdrawn from the official Canada-EU-Russia negotiations. In late 1997, the US concluded a separate understanding with the EU which is similar to the one agreed to by Canada, though a bit more lenient. As a result, complications and negative effects of having US fur blocked out of EU markets were also averted.

A major event in the implementation of the AIHTS occurred on June 1, 1999, with the ratification of the Agreement by Canada, on a bilateral basis with the EU. The bilateral option had been included to allow for the Agreement to move forward in the event that Russia was unable to ratify within a reasonable time period. After careful consideration of the options available, including the risks and uncertainties of leaving the Agreement unratified in the face of changes in the EU administration, the various Canadian stakeholders asked the federal government to proceed with the bilateral ratification. Prior to ratification, consultations had taken place with our US counterparts on this issue. The US agreement with the EU only went into effect in the event of full ratification of the AIHTS by Canada, Russia, and the EU. However, after Canada's ratification in June, the US decided in August 1999 to also bring their agreement into force as of June 1, 1999. Canada continues to make every effort to encourage and support Russian ratification at the earliest possible opportunity, but this has still not occurred.

The signing of this Agreement with the EU has kept the critical European marketplace open to Canadian furs. However, it was reached only at considerable cost to the wild fur producing nations. With the initialing of the original Agreement in 1997, we became obligated to ban the use of conventional steel-jawed leghold restraining traps no later than the end of the 00/01 trapping season - regardless of whether or not the traps would otherwise pass thresholds set for restraining trap standards, (which is very likely for some species). Over the past few months the Canadian provinces and territories have taken the necessary steps to ensure that we are in compliance with our commitments in relation to this particular issue for the 2001-2002 furharvesting season. For information on this regulation change in Nova Scotia please see the article entitled "Important News for Trappers" on page 18 of this issue and/or the 2001 Nova Scotia Hunting and Furharvesting License and Summary of Regulations booklet - www.gov.ns.ca/natr/hunt/regulations/.

The bilateral ratification of the Agreement on June 1, 1999, started the clock ticking on the schedule for the testing of various other restraining and killing trap systems against the standards in the AIHTS. Considerable work had already been done prior to that time and significant progress has been made in the past 2.5 years through the Fur Institute of Canada's Trap Research and Development program (see the List of Traps which have been found to meet the AIHTS, page 12 of this issue of Nova Scotia Trappers Newsletter). Results of trap testing, which have shown that some commonly used traps for several species will meet the AIHTS standards, is welcome news for furharvesters. Significant effort and expense over a relatively short time frame will continue to be required to test and improve current systems, as well as to develop new traps and trapping systems, to ensure that trappers will be able to continue to efficiently harvest wild furbearers.

As a result of the AIHTS, the markets for North American furs are still open. We can certainly be proud of the many capable representatives from the various players in the fur industry (such as governments, the Fur Institute of Canada, trapper organizations, fur auctions, fur farmers, etc.) who have made, and continue to make, important contributions toward dealing with this situation. Unfortunately, this is not simply an issue of science, factual information, and technological improvement, but also of animal rights, public relations campaigns, strong emotions, and politics. And though the threat to the EU markets may have been successfully resolved, the lobby groups will undoubtedly continue their attacks on the industry in other arenas. Canada's leadership in humane trap standards, trapping system development, fur harvester training, furbearer conservation and management, and in implementing this Agreement are strong demonstrations of our commitment to humane, sustainable furbearer resource utilization. Our efforts will also be invaluable assets in combating propaganda campaigns against management and use of wild furbearer populations.

In late September 1997, a meeting was held in Quebec City between representatives of federal, provincial, and territorial government agencies, aboriginal peoples, and trappers to discuss the implications and requirements of the Agreement. Discussion centered around timetables and options available for complying with the Agreement, along with such issues as direction and funding for required trap testing, research, and certification, and coordination between different jurisdictions. While the federal government coordinated negotiations and signed the Agreement on behalf of Canada, the actual mandate for managing furbearing species rests with the provincial, territorial, and aboriginal land claim governments. Consequently, only they can implement the requirements of the Agreement, and approaches for doing this may vary between jurisdictions.

Following the meeting in Quebec, discussions between the various jurisdictions and interest groups on implementation and coordination have continued both nationally and internationally. The Trap Research and Development Committee of the Fur Institute of Canada is leading the trap testing and development work for our country. Its primary goal is to ensure that effective, economical, safe and humane traps are available for Canadian trappers. The FIC, together with representatives of the provinces and territories, have maintained a close working relationship with US and Russian cooperators in trap research and issues around the implementation of the AIHTS. During the past year, following on the proven benefits and success of this cooperation, Canada and the US have explored a plan to jointly develop trap performance models for restraining devices. The results of this effort have potential to move this work forward more quickly than either party would likely have been able to do independently. The FIC also plays a key role in facilitating many other processes and activities necessary for the implementation of the Agreement.

The Canadian Furbearer Management Committee (CFMC - a national committee comprised of representatives from each of the provincial and territorial government wildlife agencies, reporting to the Provincial/Territorial Wildlife Directors) has been working on various issues to ensure harmonization and coordination of interpretation and implementation of the Agreement in the various Canadian jurisdictions. The CFMC has now completed the process for "certification" of traps, as required in the Agreement. This process has now been put in place for use by the provincial and territorial wildlife agencies. This process provides the framework for certification of traps by the competent authorities as complying with the requirements of the AIHTS. The requirement for traps used to capture furbearers to be certified as meeting the AIHTS does not actually go into effect until 2007. However, with the certification process now in place, manufacturers have already begun to submit qualifying traps for certification. As a result, manufacturers, trappers, and wildlife management agencies will now have the opportunity to know as soon as possible which devices meet the AIHTS, well in advance of the 2007 deadline. The CFMC also advises the Wildlife Directors on furbearer management related issues, and provides representation for the provincial and territorial jurisdictions at various international meetings pertaining to the implementation of the Agreement and other issues.

The Canadian Wildlife Directors have moved ahead with the formation and mandating of the Canadian Advisory Committee for the implementation of the AIHTS. From that group will come direction on the composition of the Canadian delegation to the AIHTS Joint Management Committee, as well as on the actual priorities and direction of that delegation. Canada hosted a provisional meeting of the Joint Management Committee in June of 2000 in Edmonton. Attendance at that meeting consisted of representatives of Canada and EU (currently the only signatories who have ratified the Agreement), along with invited representatives of Russia and the USA. Reports tabled at the meeting detailed the status of trap testing and research in the respective jurisdictions. A second provisional meeting had been scheduled for June of this year, to be hosted by the EU. The EU has indefinitely postponed this meeting ( probably during 2002), at which time they plan to be more ready to address this issue. It is interesting to note that far more progress appears to have been made in the major wild fur producing countries (Canada, Russia and the US) than in the EU, even though traps continue to be used there for a variety of purposes.

Trappers and trapper organizations continue (along with other stakeholders when appropriate) to play key roles in various aspects of the efforts surrounding this Agreement including participation in FIC activities and committees, cooperation in trap testing, research and development, delivery and development of furharvester education, representation on international delegations, and direct input to provincial and territorial governments. This work is being done in close cooperation with US and Russian counterparts to ensure coordination of efforts and sharing of information. Anyone wanting more details on the EU Agreement and how it will affect trappers here and in other parts of Canada, as well as information on trap research and development or related topics, should contact the Furbearers and Upland Game Section of the Wildlife Division, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (contact information inside the front cover of Nova Scotia Trappers Newsletter).

It had been hoped that the Canadian General Standards Board Humane Trap Standards process would be completed by now. Representatives of trapper organizations, native peoples, governments, the Fur Institute of Canada, trap manufacturers, humane trap researchers, animal welfare groups, and other interested parties have worked on this initiative since 1995. After considerable effort, a standard for killing traps on land was completed, and received final committee ratification in 1997. Work continued on Canadian standards for restraining and submersion devices. Drafts of both standards had been approved in principle at committee meetings held in Halifax in April 1997. A follow-up meeting in Calgary in fall 1997 failed to complete this work. Revised drafts were completed following that meeting, but the whole process has been put on hold pending certain decisions about the implementation of the AIHTS and the results of some of the testing efforts related to that initiative. There is an intention to eventually re-visit and complete these standards. In the intervening time, we continue to ensure that data is collected from all trap testing/research activities to comply with both processes. Canada is the world leader in humane trap research and development, and is the first country to develop a national trap standards process. Even with the implementation of the EU Agreement, it is still important that our Canadian Standards process be completed and in place. These are the only standards developed by Canadians for Canadians, and will stay in place regardless of whether the EU Agreement remains in force or is terminated by any party at some future date. Trappers have played an important role in these efforts, a fact of which we can be justifiably proud. Current Nova Scotia representatives on the Canadian General Standards Board Trap Standards Committee are Paul Tufts from the Trappers Association of Nova Scotia and Mike O'Brien from the Department of Natural Resources. Anyone with questions about the Canadian standards process should contact either of the above.

Undoubtedly the fur industry faces difficulties now and in the future. However, continued hard work and cooperation between government, fur harvesters, and other players in the industry should ensure the wise use of this natural resource, as well as the survival of a distinctly Canadian industry and way of life.

In 1997 the European Union, Canada and Russia signed the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). Since then, Canada and the E.U. have ratified the Agreement. A side-letter to this Agreement requires that "conventional steel-jawed" leg-hold trapping devices would be banned for use as live-holding devices for most species of furbearers by April 1, 2001. Nova Scotia has amended furharvesting regulations related to legal trapping devices to comply with this commitment under the Agreement. By now most active trappers in Nova Scotia should be aware of this recent change. It is important for all trappers, including first time trappers, and trappers who may have been out of the industry for a number of years, to be aware of the implications of this new regulation and how it will affect their activities. Prior to the signing of the Agreement, most provinces had already prohibited the use of leg-holding devices in live-restraining sets, for a number of species. To clarify, this year's regulation change, related to the use of leg-hold restraining traps, essentially means that any leg-hold restraining trap set for bobcat, coyote or lynx must be modified to improve humaneness, by such means as laminating, offsetting or padding the jaws, or using a trap that incorporates a snare, or other similarly effective means of improving humaneness.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of the type of trap which may no longer be used in a restraining trap set for bobcat, lynx , or coyote. Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate laminated, offset and a padded leg-hold traps, all of which are examples of the types of traps which may continue to be used for these species. Other pre-existing restrictions on the use of leg-holding and other trapping devices remain unchanged. Regulations related to legal trapping devices and techniques are described on pages 24 and 25 of the 2001 Nova Scotia Hunting and Furharvesting License and Summary of Regulations. See also website - www.gov.ns.ca/natr/hunt/regulations/.

Other changes affecting the use of traps will go into effect in 2007. By that date all Canadian jurisdictions are committed to have in place regulations which will require the use of traps which have been certified as meeting the requirements of the AIHTS for those species which are listed in the AIHTS. The research and testing of traps is carried out by the Trap Research and Development Committee of the Fur Institute of Canada. A trap certification process has now been developed and put in place by the provincial and territorial wildlife management agencies. Traps will be certified by the agencies based on the results of testing against the AIHTS standards and other factors such as safety, effectiveness, etc. For further information regarding the implementation of the AIHTS and trap testing and certification, please see the article entitled "Trap Standards - Update on the EU Agreement and Canadian Trap Standards" on page 15 of this issue.

Anyone with questions or desiring further information on any of the above matters should consult the NSDNR Furbearers and Upland Game website (www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/furbers/furbs.htm), the Fur Institute of Canada website (www.fur.ca/index.html) or contact their local NSDNR office or the Furbearers and Upland Game Section at the NSDNR Wildlife Division, 902-679-6091 or email obrienms@gov.ns.ca

Ottawa, December 2001 -- The Fur Institute of Canada, on behalf of the provincial and territorial wildlife management agencies, is pleased to announce the Canadian trap certification program, one of the phases in the development of standardized trapping systems across Canada.

Trap certification is a requirement of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, which was signed in December 1997 by Canada, the European Union (EU), and Russia. The Agreement sets out mandatory provisions that detail specific requirements for animal welfare when traps are used. The Agreement states that all killing and restraining traps used for nineteen listed furbearer species must meet the specified performance standards by 2007. Twelve of the listed species are found in Canada: beaver, muskrat, otter, marten, fisher, raccoon, badger, ermine, coyote, wolf, lynx and bobcat.

It was only after careful consultation with trappers, provincial and territorial governments and fur industry representatives, that Canada signed the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards. The next challenge, after signing the Agreement, was to develop a national implementation strategy here in Canada, which would ensure compliance and maintain our EU markets, while at the same time maintain a viable wild fur industry in North America.

Three distinct phases will lead to the complete implementation of the AIHTS by 2007. The first two are trap testing and trap certification. The third and final phase, which comes into effect in 2007, will be revision of the trapping regulations in Canadian jurisdictions requiring trappers to use only traps which have been certified as meeting the requirements specified in the AIHTS.

The Competent Authorities identified in the AIHTS; in Canada, the provincial and territorial wildlife agencies, and those Aboriginal groups that have wildlife management authority. The Fur Institute of Canada has been identified by these agencies as the national coordinator for the AIHTS implementation.

Manufacturers must apply to any of the Canadian competent authorities administering the Canadian trap certification program to have their traps certified. They must also test, or have tested through the Fur Institute of Canada or another credible testing agency recognized by the certifying competent authority, any trap they intend to market for use in Canada after 2007 for the purpose of capturing any of the twelve Canadian species listed in the AIHTS. This includes any killing or restraining trap, as well as live capture box or cage traps. In addition to being tested for specific animal welfare requirements, traps must be practical, efficient and safe for the user. Testing must follow specific procedures, which are laid out in the certification program document titled "International Humane Trapping Standards - Trap Certification Procedures and Protocol - Canadian Competent Authorities Applications". After the traps have been tested, they must still be formally certified by 2007. At this time, only the provincial and territorial governments are able to certify traps. This document also includes the trap performance requirements contained in the AIHTS.

Only those traps that are certified as meeting the AIHTS requirements for the twelve species will be allowed for use after 2007. In the meantime, the Agreement allows for continued trapping with legal methods while each nation implements all phases of the Agreement -- up until 2007. After 2007, the use of uncertified traps will be prohibited.

Some manufacturers have already had some of their traps certified and the process is open for others to do the same at any time. Currently, the process is available for traps used to capture any of the species listed in the AIHTS. In addition, to facilitate the process, each province and territory has agreed that traps certified in one Canadian jurisdiction will be accepted as certified in another jurisdiction. For reasons of safety or management issues in a specific region, some restrictions on the use of a certified trap may be imposed. Since its inception in 1983, the Fur Institute of Canada's trap research and testing program has brought together traditional knowledge, science and new technologies in a comprehensive approach to trap improvement. The long-term objective of the Institute's program has always been to provide efficient, humane and safe tools to the trapper. Through its research efforts, the Institute is responding to concerns for improvements to animal welfare, the efficiency of animal capture devices and the conservation of wildlife populations.

A list of provincial and territorial government competent authorities that presently have the authority to certify traps is attached for your information.

BRITISH COLUMBIA Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

ALBERTA Department of Sustainable Resource Development

SASKATCHEWAN Department of Environment and Resource Management

MANITOBA Department of Conservation

ONTARIO Ministry of Natural Resources

QUÉBEC Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec

NEW BRUNSWICK Department of Natural Resources and Energy

NOVA SCOTIA Department of Natural Resources

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation

NUNAVUT Department of Sustainable Development

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development

YUKON Department of Renewable Resources