Proceedings 2017/030

Proceedings of the National Peer Review of the Delineation of Significant Areas of Cold-Water Corals and Sponge-Dominated Communities in Canada’s Atlantic and Eastern Arctic Marine Waters; March 8-10, 2016

Chairpersons: Lisa Setterington and Christie Whelan
Editor: Brittany Beauchamp

Summary

These proceedings summarize the relevant discussions and key conclusions that resulted from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) national peer review meeting on the delineation of significant areas of cold-water corals and sponge-dominated communities in Canada’s Atlantic and Eastern Arctic marine waters. This meeting was held March 8-10, 2016 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This meeting was attended by representatives from DFO Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Oceans Management, and National Fisheries Policy as well as academia, industry, and environmental non-governmental organizations.

Coral and sponge concentrations in Canadian waters have been identified as ecologically and biologically significant areas. DFO Ecosystems and Fisheries Management requested science advice to refine the delineation of significant areas of corals and sponges and information on the fishing activity in relation to these significant areas. The main objectives of the meeting were to refine the delineation of significant areas of corals and sponges, produce maps of these areas, and quantify the spatial overlap of the fishing effort with these areas. The study area for this analysis was the entirety of Atlantic Canada and Eastern Arctic marine waters. The taxa analyzed were sponges, large and small gorgonian corals, and sea pens. Kernel density estimation and species distribution models were used to delineate significant benthic concentrations of cold-water corals and sponges in the Atlantic and Eastern Arctic marine waters and maps of these areas were produced. The distribution and intensity of fishing effort was estimated using logbook information and Vessel Monitoring System data. The spatial overlap of the fishing effort with the significant areas of corals and sponges was quantified.

The conclusions and advice resulting from this meeting are provided in the form of a Science Advisory Report which is available on the CSAS website. Supporting Research Documents reviewed and discussed at the meeting will also be made available on the CSAS website.

Complete document (PDF, 304 KB)

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