Terms of Reference

Science Advice in Support of the Eastport Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem Goods and Services Valuation Case Study

National Science Response Process – Newfoundland and Labrador and National Capital Regions

December 10-11, 2013
St. John’s NL

Chair: Robert Gregory

Context

In 2012, the Office of the Auditor General concluded a Performance Audit of Biodiversity on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  One of the two key recommendations for Fisheries and Oceans Canada was that the Department “identifies specific ecosystem services provided by existing and planned marine protected areas and assesses their values to better understand their benefits and costs”.  In recognition of the complexity of this work, the Department committed to undertake a benefits valuation case study of an existing MPA by March 2014.  The site selected for this study is the Eastport MPA located off the coast of Newfoundland. The primary conservation objective of this MPA is to maintain a viable population of lobster through the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of resources and habitats.

The scientific information and advice generated from this science advisory process will be used to support the economic ecosystem good and services valuation study for the Eastport MPA.  More specifically, this process will provide the relevant data requested for the case study and consider the existing indicators and available data to assess the status of the Eastport lobster population. The information and advice will also be used to improve DFO's understanding of the scientific data and information needs required to undertake this kind of analysis, which may be useful for similar work in other MPAs in Canada.

Objectives

1. Provide a synthesis of existing information and peer reviewed literature for the Eastport MPA.
   
   
2. Provide an analysis and/or review of any changes in the biological indicators currently used for the lobster population within the Eastport MPA in relation to another area without protected area status:
   1. Estimates/indices of abundance
   2. Size frequency;
   3. Berried females, and;
   4. Catch per unit effort (CPUE).
      
      
3. Identify the gaps in data and information that was required in the case study request.

Expected Publications

• Research Document
• Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science, Policy and Economics, and Ecosystems Management (Newfoundland and Labrador and National Capital Regions)
• Academia
• Eastport Lobster Protection Committee
• Environmental non-government organizations