Proceedings 2020/028

Proceedings of the Regional Science Peer Review of the Habitat Ecosystem Assessment Tool (HEAT) Software Development and Evaluation; January 27–29, 2016

Chairpersons: Gavin Christie and Sophie Foster

Editors: Sommer Abdel-Fattah and Susan Doka

Summary

A Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) peer review meeting was held from January 27–29, 2016 in Burlington, Ontario, to evaluate elements of the Habitat Ecosystem Assessment Tool (HEAT). The Tool is designed to evaluate potential changes to suitable fish habitat area in any project that alters supporting habitats for fish. The Lake HEAT software package allows pre- and post-project assessment of limnological and physical habitat changes and their impact on fishes, through scenario-testing. The Tool aims to support decision-making processes with the development of quantitative metrics that can be coupled with decision criteria to assist Fisheries Protection Program (FPP) staff when determining the magnitude of impact and in evaluating offset plans.

The meeting goal was to evaluate HEAT to help in the assessment of proposed development projects and their potential risks to fishes and their supporting habitats. More specifically, the objectives were to:

1. review the offsetting calculation method in HEAT and its scientific basis;
2. assess how the Tools’ features can be used most effectively and consistently to better inform current management decisions;
3. discuss whether updates or improvements to the Tool are needed to enhance outputs for users; and,
4. examine the applicability of the HEAT approach within a broader context given changes to the Fisheries Act and associated policies.

Participants were asked to examine the current version of HEAT and recommend changes to specific input variables, algorithms or outputs; as well as recommend additional elements or formats to be incorporated into HEAT to strengthen or even expand its capability as an assessment tool. Participants were asked to evaluate the applicability of the HEAT approach within a broader scientific, regulatory and operational context. Three documents were prepared for the meeting, one describing HEAT’s history, case studies, and future studies; the second describing previous surveys and meetings regarding HEAT; and the third outlining the guidance to date for using HEAT with online instructions. A quick guide to running a HEAT scenario as well as the web-link to the Tool were also supplied to participants, and these also guided the discussions. The use of HEAT in light of changes to the Fisheries Act and FPP policies was scientifically discussed. Participants included staff from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in both the Science Sector and FPP, staff from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF), and external users and biological consultants familiar with background or the conceptual framework of HEAT-type approaches or the Tool itself.

This review process and elements of the Tool may complement current FPP initiatives to gather additional habitat information for Canadian fisheries and other impact and offset advice.

This Proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions and presents the key conclusions reached at the meeting. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

Proceedings 2020/028 (PDF, 598 KB)

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