Terms of Reference

National Workshop

Review of Scientific Information on the Impacts of Seismic Sound on Fish, Invertebrates, and Marine Mammals Workshop II, 2008

March 26-28, 2008

Ottawa, ON

Chairperson: Jake Rice

Background

A Workshop to develop a "Decision Framework for Seismic Survey Referrals" held in March 2003 produced an inventory of ecological factors that DFO should consider when dealing with referrals for seismic surveys in Canadian waters. The workshop also discussed the sources of uncertainty about effects of seismic sounds on those ecological factors, and ways that the uncertainty could be presented in science documents evaluating possible impacts. The workshop did not attempt to review critically the scientific literature on impacts of seismic sounds or effectiveness of mitigation options. Consequently the meeting did not address tolerances for ecological impacts, if any, or operational standards for respecting such tolerances.

Following the 2003 Workshop, DFO scientists prepared major literature reviews of the primary and secondary literature that reports on experimental studies and field monitoring of effects of sound, particularly seismic sound, on marine organisms. Reviews were also contracted of the standards and mitigation methods applied by other national and international bodies which regulate seismic surveys in marine ecosystems, and of the strengths and problems with various sound propagation models in marine environments. These papers were reviewed at a National Advisory Process Workshop in May 2004, although time did not allow a detailed critical review of the paper on standards and mitigation methods. The product of the 2004 Workshop was the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Habitat Status Report 2004/002 – Review of the Scientific Information on the Impacts of Seismic Sound on Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Turtles and Marine Mammals.

The International Conference on The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life held in Nyborg, Denmark August 13-17, 2007, demonstrated clearly that our current state of knowledge of the effects of noise on aquatic organisms (marine mammals to invertebrates) has advanced significantly since the 2004 Workshop and the production of Habitat Status Report 2004/002. With this in mind, The Oceans and Habitat Management Sector has requested Science Sector to review the recent literature that has become available since 2004 and determine whether the original advisory requires updating.

Workshop Objectives

The Review of Scientific Information on the Impacts of Seismic Sound on Fish, Invertebrates, and Marine Mammals Workshop II will focus on the review of research studies and science publications from 2004 to present. The review will address the following two questions:

1. Does the information contained in the published papers and reports released since 2004 warrant additions and/or changes to be made to the conclusions of the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Habitat Status Report 2004/002 – Review of the Scientific Information on the Impacts of Seismic Sound on Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Turtles and Marine Mammals?

If not, then clearly no revisions are necessary. If" yes":

I. What would be the revised conclusions? And,

II. What would be the next step(s) in producing a science advisory based on the revised conclusions?

2. Does the information contained in the published papers and reports specifically related to marine mammals and released since 2004 warrant special consideration of unique mitigative measures specific to the Arctic?

If "yes", what would be the next steps?

It is not the intent of this Workshop to review DFO’s Statement of Canadian Practice with respect to the Mitigation of Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment.

 Prior to the Workshop, two review papers will be produced that cover the literature review for marine mammals and, for fish and invertebrates respectively. These papers will be posted on the CSAS website. Other scientific information, apart from the two review papers, may also be tabled for review at the Workshop but the content of any additional information must be submitted as CSAS Working Papers to the Workshop Coordinator no later than March 7, 2008.

Products

Research Documents will be produced of all Working Papers tabled for review. A CSAS Proceedings Document will be produced that summarizes the workshop discussions and conclusions. If consensus is reached that there is a need to modify the conclusions within HSR 2004/002, a revised report reflecting those modifications will be produced.

Participation

Participation at the Workshop will include personnel from DFO Science, and Oceans and Habitat Management Sectors, as well as experts from academia, Environmental Non-Government Organizations (ENGOs), industry and the Inuvialuit Joint Fisheries Management Board. Participation will be by invitation and the total number of participants will be restricted to forty people.

Workshop Coordinator

All inquires and research documents intended for review at the workshop should be directed to:

Hugh Bain

Environment and Biodiversity Science Branch

Ecosystem Science Directorate

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Tel: (613) 990-0283

e-mail: Hugh.Bain@dfo-mpo.gc.ca