Terms of Reference

Review of Georges Bank “State of Knowledge” Report

Maritimes Region Science Workshop

19-20 October 2009

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Context

In 1988, a moratorium on offshore petroleum activities (i.e. exploration, drilling, and development) was placed on the portion of Georges Bank in Canadian waters. The moratorium covers an area of seafloor of approximately 15,000 km², and includes the entire Canadian portion of Georges Bank and much of Northeast Channel. The 1988 moratorium was scheduled to expire on 1 January 2000. In December 1999, the federal Minister of Natural Resources and provincial Minister of Natural Resources (Nova Scotia) extended the moratorium, which now expires in 2012.

The 2012 moratorium expiration date is approaching, and a decision regarding the future of the moratorium will be made at the direction of the federal Minister of Natural Resources and provincial Minister of Energy (Nova Scotia). In support of a potential moratorium review, DFO is compiling the most up-to-date scientific knowledge of the Georges Bank marine ecosystem (e.g. oceanography, marine habitat, and marine species), overview of the fishery and its management, and economic profile of the fishery. The potential effects of offshore petroleum activities on the marine ecosystem and fishery will also be outlined, as well as the identification of knowledge gaps.

A DFO Science peer review meeting is proposed for 19-20 October 2009 to review the scientific components of the Georges Bank ’State of Knowledge’ report, specifically the components of the report that address the following question: “What is the current state of knowledge related to the environmental risks associated with offshore petroleum exploration and production and the state of the Georges Bank ecosystem?” The management and economic descriptions provided in the report will not be reviewed at this meeting.

Objectives

To describe the current state of knowledge related to the environmental risks associated with offshore petroleum exploration and production and the state of the Georges Bank ecosystem.

• To review the background document prepared by DFO, specifically:
• • Is the report technically accurate and complete?
  • Are the conclusions of the report supported by the information provided?
  • Are any assumptions identified within the report appropriate?

Outputs

CSAS Proceedings
CSAS Research Document

Participants

Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
DFO Science
DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
DFO Oceans, Habitat and Species at Risk
DFO Policy and Economics
Natural Resources Canada
Nova Scotia Department of Environment
Nova Scotia Department of Energy
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Aboriginal Communities / Organizations
Offshore Petroleum Industry
Fishing Industry
NGOs