Terms of Reference

National Workshop

Examination of the Effectiveness of Measures Used to Mitigate Potential Impacts of Seismic Sound on Marine Mammals

May 12-13, 2009

Ottawa, ON

Chair: Jake Rice

Background

There is a suite of mitigative measures commonly employed during seismic survey operations to minimize acoustic disturbance to marine mammals. These mitigative measures are grouped into three categories as follows:

1. Planning Measures (i.e., actions taken before the event in order to avoid or minimize potential adverse effects):

Seasonal, geographic and timing restrictions;

 

Airgun array size and configuration (limitations which avoid unnecessarily strong energy sources);

 

Employing sound propagation models to determine safe distances from the sound energy source;

 

Specific actions to avoid dispersion, displacement or diversion of marine mammals engaged in critical biological functions which may have population level effects if significantly disturbed;

 

Scientific studies and research to understand better the potential effects of sound on marine mammals;

2. Operational Measures (i.e., actions taken during the event in order to avoid or minimize potential adverse effects):

Safety Zone for marine mammals, within which the presence of specified marine mammals results in the shutdown of the airgun array operation;

 

Soft starts or ramp-up to operational pressures;

 

The use of trained Marine Mammal Observers on the seismic vessel;

 

Employing passive acoustic monitors during periods of poor visibility;

3. Application of additional site-specific measures required by the site-specific environmental assessment of a seismic project.

Given the international context within which seismic exploration occurs, many countries have adopted similar approaches to managing the effects of these operations. In recent years, a number of countries (e.g. Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia) have moved to standardize their national approaches in the form of guidelines and regulations. In Canada, the Departments of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Natural Resources Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs, in collaboration with provincial governments, has compiled a set of mitigation measures into the Statement of Canadian Practice with respect to the Mitigation of Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment. The Statement sets out minimum standards which apply in Canada’s non-ice covered marine waters to all seismic activities that use air source arrays.

Recently, additional guidance has been sought on the level of effectiveness of the mitigative measures set out in the Statement under the various environmental conditions in which seismic surveys are conducted in non-ice covered marine waters in Canada. Therefore the Oceans and Habitat Sector of the DFO is seeking guidance from Science Sector on the conditions and extent to which the effectiveness of the operational mitigative measures set out in the Statement might vary with environmental conditions, and if so, the nature of the variation.

Workshop Objectives

The objective of the peer-review workshop is to produce an advisory document that addresses the following:

Considering those operational mitigation measures set out in the Statement of Canadian Practice (i.e. Sections 6 through 13):

1. What is each mitigation measure intended to achieve?
2. Under ideal conditions, how effective can each measure be at achieving its objective?
3. What factors, if any, influence the effectiveness of each measure in achieving its goal?

For each of the factors in 3), clarify, to the extent possible, how the effectiveness of the mitigation measure is altered by the factor.

Scope of the Workshop Review

The workshop will deal with the science related to the effectiveness of the mitigation measures for marine mammals set out in the Statement of Canadian Practice and to the factors that reduce the effectiveness of these mitigation measures. Therefore the role of the workshop participants will be to describe and, where possible, quantify the residual risks associated with the application of the mitigation measures, and the extent to which these risks change with deviations from ideal environmental conditions. Where it can be demonstrated that the risk of not achieving the intent of a particular mitigation is substantial, other established mitigation technologies and practices may be tabled for discussion. However, the comparison of the Statement of Canadian Practice, as a regulatory instrument, to codes and regulatory instruments used by other jurisdictions to manage and protect marine mammals will not form part of this workshop.

Products

A CSAS Science Advisory Report will be prepared that communicates the conclusions and recommendations arising from the workshop as well as a Proceedings Document that summarizes the workshop discussions. All Working Papers tabled for review at the workshop will be published as Research Documents.

Participation

Participation at the Workshop will include federal and provincial government experts and experts from academia, Environmental Non-Government Organizations (ENGOs), industry, and the three Regulatory Boards. Participation will be by invitation and the total number of participants will be restricted to thirty 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