Terms of Reference

Refinement of information relating to Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) identified in the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Bioregion

Regional Science Response Process – Newfoundland and Labrador Region

January 29, 2016
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Nadine Wells

Context

Canada has agreed to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi Target 11 which includes the conservation of 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020. Areas, especially those of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, will be conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. The Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Shelves has been identified as one of five priority biogeographic units for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network development. The primary goal of Canada’s MPA Network is to provide long-term protection of marine biodiversity, ecosystem function and special natural features.

Based on CBD guidance and the National Framework for Canada's Network of MPAs (2011), Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSAs) are a key feature to be considered in MPA network development. In the context of MPA Network planning, EBSAs have been internationally recognized as design features for Network development and there has been regional agreement that within the NL Shelves Bioregion, EBSAs will be given priority when selecting areas to protect in the MPA Network. In previous Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) processes regarding Placentia Bay-Grand Banks (PB-GB) Large Ocean Management Area (LOMA) EBSAs (Templeman 2007) and Identification of additional EBSAs in the NL Shelves Bioregion (Fisheries and Oceans Canada [DFO] 2013), 11 and 15 EBSAs were identified, respectively, and described with the inclusion of a corresponding map.

The Oceans Program in the NL Region is seeking identification and/or clarification of the particular sub areas for each EBSA identified in the NL Bioregion. As such DFO Oceans has requested that DFO Science provide further information on the subcomponents/areas of each EBSA that contributes to their significant features.

Objectives

• Provide detailed descriptions of sub-components of each EBSA identified during the PB-GB LOMA EBSA identification process.
• Provide geospatially referenced data layers of each sub-component of the PB-GB LOMA EBSA, as well as the additional NL Shelves EBSAs.

Expected Publication

• Science Response Report

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Ecosystems Management)

References

DFO. 2013. Identification of Additional Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) within the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2013/048. 26 p.

Government of Canada. 2011. National Framework for Canada’s Network of Marine Protected Areas. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. 31 pp.

Templeman ND. 2007. Placentia Bay-Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2007/052. iii + 15 p.