Science Response 2011/010

Labrador - Newfoundland island transmission link project– Review of the grounfish, pelagic fish, shrimp and snow crab section from the EA report

Context

Nalcor Energy is proposing to develop the Labrador – Island Transmission Link Project as part of the larger project of establishing a High Voltage Direct Current (HVdc) transmission system extending from Central Labrador to the Island of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula. In preparation for, and support of the Project, Nalcor Energy has submitted to Marine Habitat Protection Section of Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Newfoundland a series of environmental assessement reports between November 10, 2010 and June 4, 2011. The report entitled "Marine Fish and Fish Habitat in the Strait of Belle Isle: Data Review and Compilation" has been completed with the objective to gather, summarize and present existing and available information on fish and fish habitat in the Strait of Belle Isle. As the Quebec Region is responsible for the management of some commercial species in the area covered by the project, the Fish Habitat Management Branch (FHMB) in Newfoundland solicited the regional DFO Science Branch at the Maurice-Lamontagne Institute (MLI) to review only the sections on groundfish, pelagic fish, shrimp, snow crab and some species at risk for which Quebec region have information to validate whether the information submitted by the consultant is accurate. The request was forwarded to the Science Advice, Information and Support Branch (SAISB) July 8, 2011, and a response was required by July 28, 2011. An SSRP was used due to the short deadline for advice.

This Science Response report is from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, Regional Science Special Response Process (SSRP) of July 13-29, 2011, Review of the Environmental Assessment report on marine fish and fish habitat in the Strait of Belle Isle. 

In general, the information presented in the environmental assessment report is a complete and thorough review of the available literature. Some points, however, were raised to put the information into perspective and to clarify certain aspects.

Complete document (PDF, 35 KB)

Accessibility Notice

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