DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region Science Review of Proposed Grieg Marine Finfish Aquaculture Facilities at Goat Island in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland

Abstract

The Proponent, Grieg Marine NL Ltd., has submitted an application for an Atlantic Salmon aquaculture licence for a new site (Goat Island) in Placentia Bay located on the south coast of Newfoundland. The application was submitted to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and referred to Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for siting advice. DFO Science has been asked for a review of the predicted exposure zones associated with the new aquaculture activity and the predicted impacts on species and the habitats that support them. In accordance with the Aquaculture Activities Regulations (AARs), the Proponent’s site application package includes a Baseline Assessment Report. DFO has implemented a siting framework to promote a consistent approach to aquaculture site reviews. This framework includes four standardized questions the Regional Aquaculture Management Office (RAMO) uses to ensure a comprehensive review of site applications and inform DFO advice to the Province: 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 Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs); Species at Risk (SAR); fishery species; and ecologically significant species (ESS) and their associated habitats that are within the predicted benthic exposure zone and 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 the 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 peer review of September 20-21, 2022, Aquaculture Siting Advice for Provincial Site Licence Applications from Cold Ocean Salmon in Connaigre Bay and Grieg Aquaculture in Placentia Bay.