Terms of Reference

Lobster Landings, Lifecycle, and Utilization by Lobsters of Habitat in the Vicinity of Two Proposed Finfish Aquaculture Sites in St. Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia

Maritimes Region Science Special Response Process (SSRP)

December 1, 2010
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Kristian Curran

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Habitat Protection and Sustainable Development (HSPD) Division, Maritimes Region, is reviewing an environmental assessment (EA) for two marine finfish aquaculture sites to be located in St. Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia, to determine if they are likely to result in negative impacts to fish and fish habitat. As part of the federal EA process, DFO may provide advice to Transport Canada regarding any impacts that fall under DFO’s mandate. In addition, DFO will be advising the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture regarding the province’s decision to approve/disapprove the proposed aquaculture development. Refer to Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry reference number 10-01-55946 for more information regarding the EA of the proposed development project.

On November 24, 2010, DFO HPSD requested that DFO Maritimes Science provide advice regarding lobster landings, lobster lifecycle, and lobster utilization of habitat in the vicinity of two proposed finfish aquaculture sites in St. Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia. The SSRP will be based on existing data sources from St. Mary’s Bay, which are limited in number and of lower resolution and scale relative to the location and size of the two proposed aquaculture sites. An SSRP was used due to the short deadline for advice of December 15, 2010, and in consideration that the EA falls under the purview of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Question

What are the lobster landings in the vicinity of the proposed finfish aquaculture sites relative to adjacent areas and what lifecycle stages and for what purposes do lobsters utilize the habitat at 45-60 m water depth in the vicinity of the two proposed finfish aquaculture sites?

Objectives and Scope

The objectives of the SSRP are:

Identify the lobster landings in the vicinity of the two proposed finfish aquaculture sites relative to adjacent areas in St. Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia; and

Identify lobster lifecycle stages in regard to lobster utilization of habitat at 45-60 m water depth in the vicinity of the two proposed finfish aquaculture sites in St. Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia.

The SSRP will be based on existing data sources from St. Mary’s Bay, which are limited in number and of lower resolution and scale relative to the location and size of the two proposed aquaculture sites.

Outputs

CSAS Terms of Reference
CSAS Special Science Report

Participation

DFO Science Branch
DFO Oceans, Habitat and Species at Risk Branch