Examen scientifique par la région de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador du MPO de trois installations d'aquaculture marine proposées par Marine Harvest Atlantic Canada dans la Baie des Chaleurs (Terre-Neuve)

Abstract

Marine Harvest Atlantic Canada (MHAC) has submitted applications for three Atlantic Salmon aquaculture licenses in Chaleur Bay, located on the south coast of Newfoundland. As per the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Memorandum of Understanding on Aquaculture Development, the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Land Resources has forwarded these applications to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for review and advice in relation to DFO’s legislative mandate. The application was supplemented by information collected by the proponent as required by the Aquaculture Activities Regulations (AAR). To help inform the review of the three MHAC site applications, the Regional Aquaculture Management Office has requested Science to provide advice based on the following questions: 1. Based on the available data for the site and scientific information, what is the expected exposure zone from the use of approved fish health treatment products in the marine environment and the predicted consequences to susceptible species? 2. Based on available data, what are the species at risk, commercial, recreational and aboriginal (CRA) species, ecologically sensitive species (ESS), identified Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs), and their associated habitats, within the predicted benthic exposure zone, that are vulnerable to exposure from the deposition of organic matter? How does this compare to the extent of these species and habitats in the surrounding area (i.e., are they common or rare)? What are the anticipated impacts to these sensitive species and habitats from the proposed aquaculture activity? 3. To support the analysis of risk of entanglement with the proposed aquaculture infrastructure, which pelagic aquatic species at risk make use of the area, and for what duration and when? 4. Which populations of conspecifics are within a geographic range where escapes are likely to migrate? What are the size and status trends of those conspecific populations in the escape exposure zone for proposed site? Are any of these populations listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA)? This Science Response Report results from the Regional Science Response Process of August 5-7, 2020 on the Review of Three Marine Harvest Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Siting Baseline Assessments, Chaleur Bay, Newfoundland.