Terms of Reference

Potential Impacts to Wild Fish Populations and Habitat in the Vicinity of Three Proposed Finfish Aquaculture Sites in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia

Maritimes Region Science Special Response Process (SSRP)

December 15, 2011
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's (DFO) Habitat Management Division, Maritimes Region, is reviewing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for three marine finfish aquaculture sites in Shelburne County, 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 may advise the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture regarding the proposed development. Refer to Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry number 11-01-61095 for more information regarding the EA of the proposed development project.

On May 31, 2011, Habitat Management requested that DFO Maritimes Science provide advice on four issues pertaining to the proposed finfish aquaculture sites in Shelburne Harbour, Nova Scotia: the potential for organic enrichment, the potential impacts to wild salmon populations, the presence of other fisheries resources in the area, and the utilization of fish habitat. The Science Special Response Process (SSRP) will be based on existing data sources, which may be limited in number and of lower resolution and scale relative to the location and size of the proposed aquaculture site. An SSRP was used due to the short deadline for advice and the fact that the advice will contribute to a broader Canadian Environmental Assessment Act process.

Objectives

The objective of the SSRP is to provide science advice on the following questions:

Wild Salmon Populations

1. To determine the risk of genetic impacts or parasite or disease transmission to wild salmon populations (and their lifecycle stages) from the proposed aquaculture sites, what are the salmon populations that are known to be, or are potentially present in, the vicinity of the proposed finfish aquaculture sites?
2. To determine the extent and duration of the potential impacts to wild salmon populations, what are the times of the year and the duration that wild salmon would be expected to be in the vicinity of the proposed aquaculture sites?
3. To determine the impacts of escaped fish on salmon reproduction, which freshwater systems in the vicinity of the proposed sites currently have successful salmon spawning that could be impacted by escaped fish and what are those potential impacts?

Other Fish Populations

4. Within the general vicinity of the proposed aquaculture sites, what are the important fishery resource species? 

Organic Enrichment

5. What is the area of sensitivity for organic enrichment predicted by DEPOMOD for each aquaculture site, based on stocking levels of 700,000 and 1,000,000 fish at the maximum and average daily feed rates?
6. At what daily feed rate would the deposition rate of 5 g m^-2 d^-1 be exceeded for each site?
7. What is the area of sensitivity for organic enrichment for all three sites at the maximum feed rate when resuspension is turned on?

Fish Habitat

8. Based on the type of habitat, site depth, and location, what are the potential uses of that habitat by lobster, groundfish, clams, scallops and quahogs?

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Special Response

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• DFO Ecosystem Management