Terms of Reference

Habitat Ecosystem Assessment Tool (HEAT) Software Development and Evaluation

Regional Peer Review – Central and Arctic Region

January 27-29, 2016
Burlington, Ontario

Chairpersons: Mike Stoneman and Gavin Christie

Context

The Fisheries Act was amended in 2012 to include new provisions for fisheries protection which came into force in 2013. The amended Act focuses on managing threats to the sustainability and ongoing productivity of fisheries and contains a prohibition against serious harm to fish that are part of or support a commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fishery. Serious harm to fish is defined in the Act as the death of fish, or the permanent alteration to, or destruction of, fish habitat. If serious harm to fish or fish habitat cannot be avoided, proponents of projects may apply for authorizations. The Fisheries Protection Program (FPP) aims to support its project review and decision-making processes with the development of quantitative metrics and tools that can be coupled with decision criteria to assist FPP staff when determining the magnitude of impact and in evaluating offset plans.

The Habitat Ecosystem Assessment Tool (HEAT) evaluates proposed development projects or any change (e.g., a stressor) and its effects on fish habitat quality and supply in lakes.  The Tool has primarily been applied in the Great Lakes region but some elements of the tool are set for broader application.  Similar approaches have been used beyond the Great Lakes, on a case-by-case basis.  Currently the tool translates combinations of physical variables into fish habitat quality and quantity by life stage and fish guild groupings. Estimates of potential relative changes in fisheries productivity are currently provided through net habitat supply calculations.  As we continue the refinement of Lake HEAT we require input from current and potential users to review its current form and requirements for its expansion and improvement, if needed.

This review process and elements of the tool may complement current FPP initiatives to gather additional habitat information for Canadian fisheries and other impact and offset advice.  Recently, habitat offset metrics including habitat supply and fish or fisheries productivity were evaluated (Bradford et al. 2015) building on previous science advice (Clarke and Bradford 2014).   As part of the process, we will evaluate proposed methods and metrics for the conversion of habitat supply to measures of fisheries productivity as a derived offset metric.

Participants will review the science and documents behind HEAT and proposed upgrades for the purposes of providing feedback to the FPP at DFO on its use and applicability primarily in the Great Lakes but also for its expansion in the Central and Arctic Region, and possibly beyond.

Objectives

The objective of this meeting is to evaluate elements of HEAT to help in the evaluation of proposed development projects and their potential risks to fishes and their supporting habitat. Background documents will be circulated providing information about the tool and its use. More specifically, the review objectives are to address:

• A review of offsetting methods in HEAT and their scientific basis.
• How the Tools’ features can be used most effectively and consistently to better inform current management decisions. (Case studies and a user package will be provided for the session).
• Whether updates or improvements to the Tool are needed to enhance outputs for users, and if so, what these are.
• An examination of the applicability of the HEAT approach within a broader context. How could the tool be applied spatially within a landscape context or be used nationally?  (e.g., extending the approach to other ecoregions across Canada, incorporation of productivity metrics, potential use in habitat banking or cumulative impact assessments).

The following working papers will be provided in early January for your review:

• HEAT User Guidance Document
• HEAT Survey and Meeting Report
• HEAT Background Document

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document(s)

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
• Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
• Other invited experts (e.g., academics, expert users)

References

Bradford, M.J., Koops, M.A., and Randall, R.G. 2015. Science advice on a decision framework for managing residual impacts to fish and fish habitat. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/112. v + 31 p.

Clarke, K.D., and Bradford, M.J. 2014. A Review of Equivalency in Offsetting Policies. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/109. v + 18 p.