Terms of Reference

Annual Meeting of the National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee

National Advisory Meeting

October 17-21, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Chairperson: Don Bowen

Introduction

The National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee (NMMPRC) holds an annual meeting to conduct scientific peer review of marine mammal issues. This approach gives the opportunity to bring together experts on marine mammals from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) with specific contributions from non-DFO experts to ensure high quality review of the scientific results and to provide sound scientific advice as the basis for the management and conservation of marine mammals in Canada. When time permits, this annual meeting is also an opportunity to review ongoing research projects and provide feedback or guidance to the scientists involved.

Topics

1. Harp Seal Harvest Advice

Context: Harp seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus, are the most abundant pinniped in the northwest Atlantic with an estimated population size in 2010 of 9.1 million animals (Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Science Advisory Report 2011/in press). The Canadian and Greenland hunt for Northwest Atlantic harp seals is the largest marine mammal harvest in the world. Since 2003, the Canadian commercial harp seal harvest has been managed under an Objective Based Fisheries Management (OBFM) approach which incorporates the principle of the Precautionary Approach. Under this approach, precautionary reference levels are identified and are associated with pre-agreed management actions that are to be enacted if the population is estimated to decline further (DFO 2003). Under OBFM, the management objective is to set harvests that will ensure an 80% probability (L20) that the population will remain above the precautionary reference level (N70), of 6.4 million animals. The limit reference level, for this population, also known as a conservation reference level has been set at N30 or 2.7 million animals. In evaluating the impacts of different harvest levels on the population, reported harvests by Canadian and Greenland hunters, losses due to animals struck but not landed or reported, bycatch in fishing gear, changes in reproductive rates, and unusual mortality due to poor ice conditions are taken into account.

Objectives: To determine if the following scenarios for the next four years (2012-2015) have an 80% probability that the harp seal population will remain above 70% of its maximum observed size over the long term:

1. 400,000 for each year with 10% adults/ 90% beaters;
2. 400,000 for each year with 30% adults/ 70% beaters;
3. 500,000 for each year with 10% adults/ 90% beaters; and
4. 500,000 for each year with 30% adults/ 70% beaters?

The issue of Gulf harvesters accessing stocks on the Front has been brought up over recent years. Therefore, Science is also asked to provide advice on how a transfer from Gulf Quota to the Front would have an impact on herd stocks given the following scenarios (assuming that the Gulf gets 28.41% of the annual allocation while the Front gets 67.9%, and using the current TAC of 400K):

1. one year of Gulf sealers taking approximately
   1. 50K, and
   2. 100K seals from the Front quota;
2. two years of Gulf Sealers taking approximately
1. 50K, and
2. 100K seals from the Front quota;
3. five years of Gulf Sealers taking approximately
1. 50K, and
2. 100K seals from the Front quota.

Working papers: Four working papers will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: Four Research Documents and one Science Advisory Report are expected.

2. Nunavik Beluga Harvest Advice

Context:  Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are found in summer along the coasts of Hudson, James and Ungava Bays. The majority of these animals are thought to overwinter in Hudson Strait. At least three separate populations have been identified: Ungava Bay, eastern Hudson Bay and western Hudson Bay. In 2004, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) recommended that the Ungava Bay (UB) and eastern Hudson Bay (EHB) population be listed as Endangered.

In addition to the subsistence hunt, commercial hunts in Ungava Bay removed at least 1,340 animals between the 1860’s and the early 1900’s. Commercial hunting in eastern Hudson Bay removed an estimated 7,875 animals between 1854 and 1863, and continued at Great Whale River until at least 1877, apparently ending due to the depletion of the population. Current subsistence hunting is directed towards both summering concentrations and migrating whales from a mixture of populations during spring and fall. High subsistence harvests have limited recovery of the EHB and UB beluga populations. The beluga hunt is very important from a cultural and subsistence perspective.

In northern Quebec, harvesting has been regulated through a combination of area closures, controlled season and regional quotas. In 2006, the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement (NILCA) was signed, resulting in the establishment of the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board that has management responsibilities for the co-management of Nunavik beluga. This review will provide information necessary for the development of a multi-year beluga management plan for Nunavik with the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board (NMRWB) and the Nunavik Hunters, Fishermen and Trappers Association (NHFTA), and will also address the specific requests from DFO Ecosystems and Fisheries Management as described below.

Objectives: To determine the following:

1. Maximum number of indivuduals that can be taken from the eastern Hudson Bay beluga population at different population recovery ratios (5%, 50% and 75%) based on the hunting season and location.
2. Maximum number of indivuduals that can be taken from the Ungava Bay beluga population at different population recovery ratios (5%, 50% and 75%).
3. Scientific rationale for keeping the Mucalic, Nastapoka and Little Whale River estuaries closed and its impact on beluga populations (eastern Hudson Bay and Ungava Bay).
4. Determine whether the James Bay belugas are part of the eastern Hudson Bay population, whether these individuals remain in James Bay throughout the year and, if applicable, their migration route.
5. Determine the maximum number of indivuduals that can be taken in the Belcher (east and west shore), King George and Sleeper Islands and their impact on the eastern Hudson Bay population.

Working papers: Five working papers will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: Five Research Documents and one Science Advisory Report are expected.

3. Recovery Potential Assessment – Northern Fur Seal in Canadian Pacific Waters

Context: When the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designates aquatic species as threatened or endangered, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), as the responsible jurisdiction under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), is required to undertake a number of actions. Many of these actions require scientific information on the current status of the species, population or designable unit (DU), threats to its survival and recovery, and the feasibility of its recovery. Formulation of this scientific advice has typically been developed through a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) that is conducted shortly after the COSEWIC assessment. This timing allows for the consideration of peer-reviewed scientific analyses into SARA processes including recovery planning.

Northern Fur Seal was designated by COSEWIC as Threatened in November 2010 (COSEWIC 2010).  DFO Science has been asked to undertake an RPA, based on the National Frameworks (DFO 2007a and b) developed for this purpose.  The information and advice in the RPA may be used to inform both scientific and socio-economic elements that are considered by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada in recommending whether a species is listed as threatened or Endangered under the Species at Risk Act, as well as development of a recovery strategy and action plan, identification of potential critical habitat, and to support decision-making with regards to the issuance of permits, agreements and related conditions, as per section 73, 74, 75, 77 and 78 of SARA.

Objectives: Taking into consideration available information, and accounting for uncertainties, to provide information and advice respecting the potential for Northern Fur Seal recovery.  The following working papers will be reviewed in support of this objective:

• Update recovery potential assessment for Northern Fur Seal: assessment of potential critical habitat (Peter Olesiuk)
• Update recovery potential assessment for Northern Fur Seal: population viability analysis (Peter Olesiuk)

The provision of recovery potential information and advice is guided by the DFO National Framework (DFO 2007a and b) developed for this purpose.  The frameworks outline the following specific elements for the provision of RPA information and advice, and will be used to guide this review.

1. Population status, trends and trajectories
1. Evaluate present Northern Fur Seal status for abundance and range and number of populations.
2. Evaluate recent species trajectory for abundance (i.e., numbers and biomass focusing on matures) and range and number of populations.
3. Estimate, to the extent that information allows, the current or recent life-history parameters (total mortality, natural mortality, fecundity, maturity, recruitment, etc.) or reasonable surrogates; and associated uncertainties for all parameters.
4. Estimate expected population and distribution targets for recovery, according to DFO guidelines (DFO 2005).
5. Project expected Northern Fur Seal population trajectories over three generations (or other biologically reasonable time), and trajectories over time to the recovery target (if possible to achieve), given current population dynamics parameters and associated uncertainties using DFO guidelines on long-term projections (Shelton et al. 2007).
   
   
2. Species Residence
6. No residence requirements for this species.
   
   
3. Habitat Use
7. Assemble available data on the distribution and habitat utilization of fur seals migrating through BC waters based on sealing records, scientific collections and surveys, and satellite telemetry, and provide functional descriptions (as defined in DFO 2007b) of the properties of the aquatic habitat that is needed for successful completion of the life-history stages utilizing Canadian waters.
8. Provide information on the spatial extent of the areas in the species range that are likely to have these habitat properties.
9. Identify the activities most likely to threaten the habitat properties that give the sites their value, and provide information on the extent and consequences of these activities.
10. Quantify how the biological function(s) that specific habitat feature(s) provide to the species varies with the state or amount of the habitat, including carrying capacity limits, if any.
11. Quantify the presence and extent of spatial configuration constraints, if any, such as connectivity, barriers to access, etc.
12. Provide advice on how much habitat of various qualities / properties exists at present.
13. Provide advice on the degree to which supply of suitable habitat meets the demands of the species both at present, and when the species reaches biologically based recovery targets for abundance and range and number of populations.
14. Provide advice on feasibility of restoring habitat to higher values, if supply may not meet demand by the time recovery targets would be reached, in the context of all available options for achieving recovery targets for population size and range.
15. Provide advice on risks associated with habitat “allocation” decisions, if any options would be available at the time when specific areas are designated as Critical Habitat.
16. Provide advice on the extent to which various threats can alter the quality and/or quantity of habitat that is available.
    
    
4. Assess the Scope for Recovery
17. Assess the probability that the recovery targets can be achieved under current rates of population dynamics parameters, and how that probability would vary with different mortality (especially lower) and productivity (especially higher) parameters.
18. Quantify to the extent possible the magnitude of each major potential source of mortality identified in the pre-COSEWIC assessment, the COSEWIC Status Report, information from DFO sectors, and other sources.
19. Quantify to the extent possible the likelihood that the current quantity and quality of habitat is sufficient to allow population increase, and would be sufficient to support a population that has reached its recovery targets.
20. Assess to the extent possible the magnitude by which current threats to habitats have reduced habitat quantity and quality.
    
    
5. Scenarios for Threats Mitigation and and/or Recovery
21. Using input from all DFO sectors and other sources as appropriate, develop an inventory of all feasible measures to minimize/mitigate the impacts of activities that are threats to the species and its habitat (Steps 18 and 20).
22. Using input from all DFO sectors and other sources as appropriate, develop an inventory of all reasonable alternatives to the activities that are threats to the species and its habitat (Steps 18 and 20).
23. Using input from all DFO sectors and other sources as appropriate, develop an inventory of activities that could increase the productivity or survivorship parameters (Steps 3 and 17).
24. Estimate, to the extent possible, the reduction in mortality rate expected by each of the mitigation measures in step 21 or alternatives in step 22 and the increase in productivity or survivorship associated with each measure in step 23.
25. Project expected population trajectory (and uncertainties) over three generations (or other biologically reasonable time), and to the time of reaching recovery targets when recovery is feasible; given mortality rates and productivities associated with specific scenarios identified for exploration (as above). Include scenarios which provide as high a probability of survivorship and recovery as possible for biologically realistic parameter values.
26. Recommend parameter values for population productivity and starting mortality rates, and where necessary, specialized features of population models that would be required to allow exploration of additional scenarios as part of the assessment of economic, social, and cultural impacts of listing the species.
    
    
6. Allowable Harm
27. Evaluate maximum human-induced mortality which the species can sustain and not jeopardize survival or recovery of the species.

Working papers: Two working papers will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: Two Research Documents and one Science Advisory Report are expected.

4. Narwhal Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) 2011

Context: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a legally-binding multilateral environmental agreement that aims to ensure that international trade of species does not threaten their survival in the wild.  In Canada, CITES is implemented through the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).  Environment Canada is the lead for CITES in Canada, DFO leads on CITES-related decisions and advice to EC for aquatic species.

Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is listed on Appendix II of CITES.  International trade of Appendix II species from Canada requires a formal determination from the Scientific Authority that exported products originate from a sustainable harvest. This determination, referred to as a non-detriment finding (NDF), is not subject to socio-economic considerations.
 
DFO’s CITES Scientific Authority has been requested to issue an NDF for narwhal harvested in Canadian waters.  This review will provide science advice regarding the sustainability of Canadian narwhal harvests in five different summering aggregations (Somerset Island, Admiralty Inlet, Eclipse Sound, East Baffin Island and Northern Hudson Bay) that comprise the larger Canadian narwhal populations (Baffin Bay and Northern Hudson Bay). Narwhals also occur in Jones and Smith Sounds, where they are hunted by the community of Grise Fiord. The sustainability of that hunt will be considered to the extent possible, given the paucity of scientific data available for narwhal in Jones and Smith Sounds.

Objectives: The overall objective of the meeting is to provide science advice on the sustainability of Canadian narwhal harvests with respect to making a CITES NDF decision. The following are specific objectives:

1. Summarise the current scientific advice on narwhal stock delineation, abundance and Total Allowable Landed Catch (TALC) recommendations
2. Summarise the results of the 2006-2010 retrospective analysis of narwhal catches using the narwhal attribution model
3. Consider available Inuit traditional knowledge and information gathered during the spring 2011 Nunavut narwhal community consultations on narwhal abundance, distribution, and harvests and compare with the available scientific advice.
4. Determine whether the 2011 narwhal harvest levels are considered sustainable.
5. Indicate whether amendments to the 2010 NDF are appropriate.

Working papers: Three working papers will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: Two Research Documents, completion of one Special Science Response and one Science Advisory Report (SAR) are expected. The SAR will form the bases of a CITES NDF for narwhal harvested in 2011.

5. Baffin Bay Walrus Population Estimates

Context: Atlantic Walrus is a key subsistence fisheries in C&A Region. The High Arctic population consists of three stocks: Baffin Bay, West Jones Sound and Penny Strait-Lancaster Sound.  Currently, C&A Fisheries Management is leading the development of an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for this population with co-management partners. In order to develop the management plan for the High Arctic population, stock-specific abundance estimates and sustainable harvest recommendations are needed. There are no recent estimates of abundance for these three stocks.

Objectives: To review methods used in determining abundance estimates for each of the West Jones Sound and Penny Strait-Lancaster Sound walrus stocks of the High Arctic population.

Working papers: One working paper will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: No additional documents are expected.

6. Grey Seal Harvest Advice

Context: Grey seals are managed under the Objective Based Fisheries Management (OBFM) approach for Atlantic seals which was implemented in 2003. Under this approach, populations are classified as ‘Data Rich’ or ‘Data Poor’ depending on certain data criteria. As of 2007, grey seals were considered to be ‘Data Rich’. As stated in the 2011-15 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) for Atlantic Seals, the management objective is to maintain an 80% probability (L20) that the population will remain above 70% (N70) of the largest population seen. For grey seals with an estimated population of 350 000 animals, N70 is 245 000 animals.

There is a small commercial hunt for grey seals in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and along the Eastern Shore. Due to logistical difficulties, no commercial hunt has occurred on Sable Island; this is unlikely to change, as the designation of Sable Island as a National Park includes a prohibition of commercial activities on the Island.  Grey seals are occasionally a nuisance to commercial fisheries and some are killed under the authority of Nuisance Seal Licences. They are an important host for the seal/cod worm (Pseudoterranova decipiens), which also infect many groundfish species, and must be removed during processing. Grey seals are also considered by industry to be affecting the recovery of some depleted fish stocks, and to damage fishing gear. The status of the population was assessed in 2010. 

Science advice is required to establish a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the grey seal hunt each year which complies with the Precautionary Approach detailed in the 2011-15 IFMP for Atlantic Seals.

Objectives: To determine if the following scenarios for the next four years (2012-2015) have an 80% probability that the grey seal population will remain above 70% of its maximum observed size over the long term:

1. 60,000 a year;
2. 75,000 a year;
3. 90,000 a year.

Working papers: Two working papers will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: Two Research Documents and one Science Advisory Report are expected.

7. Important Habitat for Fin, Blue, Sei and North Pacific Right Whales in British Columbia

Context: This assessment is a necessary step in the action planning process in order to provide the best available information regarding identification of critical habitat(s) in the draft Action Plan for Blue, Fin, Sei, and North Pacific Right Whales as required under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Identification of important habitat is requested for these species, or a statement from Science Branch describing what additional studies or information is required to identify critical habitat for these four whale species and a rationale explaining why the best available information is not sufficient to identify critical habitat for these species at this time.

Identification of important habitat for Pacific large whales will enable protection of critical habitat under SARA, and provide information to assist in fulfilling obligations under SARA with respect to identification of species critical habitat in a recovery strategy or action plan.

Objectives: To identify area of important habitat for Fin, Blue, Sei and North Pacific Right Whales in British Columbia, or provide a rationale as to why important habitat cannot be identified for these species at this time.  Also, to identify additional information and studies, if any, required for Science to identify important habitat for these species.

Working papers: One working paper will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: One Research Document and one Science Advisory Report are expected.

8. Ringed Seals and Changing Sea Ice Conditions along the Labrador Coast: a Pupping Habitat Perspective

Context: Relatively little is known about the adaptive capacity of ringed seals to climate change in many parts of their range.  However, because the species requires certain sea ice and snow conditions to successfully over winter and rear a pup, ringed seals are thought to be sensitive to climatic variability that alters these required habitat characteristics. The pups are born in a protective snow cave (lair) constructed by the female near a well-drifted pressure ridge or ice hummock on landfast ice or relatively stable pack-ice.  Adequate snow cover and/or appropriate ice roughness have been correlated with increased survival of ringed seal pups in the High Arctic and in Hudson Bay. 

Objectives: The objective of this study was to map and quantify the changing availability of quality habitat for breeding ringed seals along the central Labrador coast from 2001-2007.  RADARSAT imagery of ice conditions during February and March and data collected by on-ice teams of hunters from the communities of Nain, Hopedale and Rigolet were used for this project.  The authors wish to update members of the committee regarding this research as well as to request a critical review of the work.

Working papers: One working paper will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: No additional documents are expected.

9. Gender determination of Belugas and Narwhals

Context: Narwhal and beluga are key subsistence fisheries in C&A Region. Updated science advice is required to document the sustainable management of these species.  Domestic management measures for both species must also demonstrate that international export is consistent with requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). 

The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) wishes to begin the process of establishing Total Allowable Harvest (TAH) levels for narwhal and beluga in the Nunavut Settlement Area. For narwhal, DFO has recommended that management units correspond to known summering stocks, and has provided a sustainable harvest recommendation for each of five proposed narwhal management units. It is anticipated that science advice on sustainable harvest levels will be considered by the NWMB in 2012 when it establishes Total Allowable Harvest Levels for narwhal, in accordance with the decision making process under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. 

The NWMB has the sole authority to establish non-quota limitations, and under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Inuit harvesting can only be restricted for specific reasons, including to effect to a valid conservation purpose. Fisheries Management has asked Science to evaluate whether there is a risk of population decline if harvest is gender or age biased. Risk modelling of different gender/age ratios in narwhal catches may indicate a need for non-quota limitations for some proposed management units. The first step in this process is to assess the error rate of gender reported in the field by hunters and researchers. 

Objectives: To review results of the research project which determined error rates associated with gender reported by harvesters and field researcher when compared to molecular determination in the laboratory.

Working papers: One working paper will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: One Research Document and one Science Advisory Report are expected.

10. Fully-corrected Cetacean Abundance Estimates from the TNASS Survey

Context: As one of the final steps in completing the analyses of the TNASS surveys, each participating country has been working to provide abundance estimates for key marine mammal species.  Where possible, the preliminary abundance estimates will be corrected for the biases inherent in visual survey approaches (availability and observer perception biases) using standardized methods and biological data (such as species-specific surface intervals).

Objectives: The objectives of this review will be to receive expert input to the derived correction factors and fully corrected cetacean abundance estimates resulting from the Canadian component of the TNASS survey.

Working papers: One working paper will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: No additional documents are expected.

11. Distribution and abundance of killer whales in the Newfoundland region

Context: Researchers in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region have been gathering historic and recent data on the distribution of killer whales, in addition to photographic records of individual animals. This data spans the area from the NE United states to northern Labrador, and a time frame of more than 100 years. Using these data we have summarized distribution and movement patterns, and derived an abundance estimate for this species.

Objectives: The objectives of this review will be to receive expert input to the distribution summary and photographically-derived abundance estimates for killer whales in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region prior to submission of a manuscript for publication.

Working papers: One working paper will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: No additional documents are expected.

12. A Review of Survey Methods to Assess Eastern Canada-West Greenland (EC-WG) Bowhead Whale Abundance

Context: Eastern Canada-West Greenland (EC-WG) Bowhead Whales are a key ecosystem component in the DFO C&A Region.  The EC-WG bowhead population is shared with Greenland and is an important subsistence fishery in both countries.  Regional Fisheries Management and Science staff are developing a multi-year plan to address management and stock assessment needs for this fishery.  However, there are significant outstanding information needs from Science, including:

1. current abundance estimate to inform decisions on levels of harvest 
2. upper stock reference, limit reference, and removal reference levels for the Critical, Cautious and Healthy zones of the Precautionary Approach framework, in order to develop appropriate harvest rules
3. improved data quality with respect to knowledge of minimum population size necessary to determine Potential Biological Removal thresholds and Total Allowable Catch recommendations

Objectives: Determine the most appropriate method for assessing Eastern Canada-West Greenland (EC-WG) bowhead whale abundance. This is the first step in the process to provide Science advice needed by Fisheries Management for Bowhead Whale management.

Working papers: One working paper will be the subject of a peer review.

Expected publications: One Research Document is expected.

Participation

The participants invited to this meeting include individuals from DFO Oceans & Science, DFO Ecosystems & Fisheries Management, DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS); the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB), the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board (NMRWB), Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the University of British Columbia (UBC).