Terms of Reference

Re-evaluation of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic Region of the Canadian Arctic

Regional Peer Review – Central and Arctic Region

January 27-29, 2015
Winnipeg, MB

Chairperson: Kathleen Martin

Context

The identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Canadian Arctic is an important step towards a more comprehensive management approach for the marine environment. EBSAs call attention to areas that have particularly high ecological or biological significance. Identification of EBSAs will address a variety of Federal Government commitments (e.g., Arctic Council, Marine Protected Areas Network) and will also provide guidance for a number of regional planning initiatives. EBSAs are management tools used to provide information about important species, habitat and ecosystem components.

In 2011, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) identified EBSAs in the Canadian Arctic including in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic region. Since then, new information from government and academic research has been published and the process that DFO uses to identify EBSAs has evolved. DFO Science has been asked by DFO Oceans program to re-evaluate EBSAs in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic region to identify where the key ecological features are located within each EBSAs.

Objectives

The objectives of this meeting are to

1. re-evaluate EBSAs in the Eastern Arctic biogeographic region (DFO 2011) based on new information and revise as necessary,
2. review EBSA boundaries and modify if necessary,
3. identify and map ecological layers within the EBSAs.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Documents

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Environment Canada
• Parks Canada Agency
• Natural Resources Canada
• Government of Nunavut
• Nunavut Wildlife Management Board
• Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
• Academia
• Other invited experts

References

DFO. 2011. Identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA) in the Canadian Arctic. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/055.