Avoidance and Mitigation of Coral and Sponge Species During Exploratory Drilling Activities Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

An investigation was conducted into the likely impacts of exploratory drilling to coral and sponge species in the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) region, as well as the ways in which avoidance and mitigation measures can be applied to reduce them. Impacts described in existing literature suggest that coral and sponge species may experience changes in behaviour (e.g. feeding, reproduction), fitness, and survival as a result of physical damage, exposure to chemicals, and/or excess sedimentation which result from exploratory drilling activities. As outlined in the Fisheries Act, it is recommended that a “mitigation hierarchy” of: (1) avoid, (2) mitigate, (3) offset, be used to reduce risks to biodiversity. However, because offsetting impacts would not generally be compatible with benthic conservation objectives, they are not discussed in depth in this report. Following this hierarchy, the avoidance of exploratory drilling in existing special areas that have been previously delineated based on the presence of coral and/or sponge species in high densities is essential for preserving biodiversity in the region. This would include Significant Benthic Areas (SiBAs), Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs), and any sites where the zone of influence from exploratory drilling would overlap SiBA or VME boundaries. Avoidance in areas outside SiBAs and VMEs where the density of coral and sponge species observed during pre-drill surveys meets the thresholds used to define SiBAs and VMEs is also of high importance. In addition, various modifications to existing exploratory drilling processes, intended to mitigate the impacts to coral and sponge species, without considerations to engineering and/or economic impacts, have also been outlined within the report. They would allow for reductions to the area of impact, the amount of cuttings generated, and the release of drilling muds into the environment, thereby reducing the overall impact to coral and sponge species in the area.