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Terms of Reference

Technical review of the M/V Marathassa Fuel Spill Environmental Impact Assessment Report

Science Response Process – Pacific Region

October 2016
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Lesley MacDougall

Context

Starting April 8, 2015, an estimated 2800 litres of intermediate fuel oil (Bunker C) was discharged by the M/V Marathassa into English Bay, and subsequently spread over areas of inner Vancouver Harbour, both of which form part of Burrard Inlet, British Columbia. On-water recovery and shoreline clean‐up operations were immediately commenced by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and conducted until April 23, 2015.

Upon completion of the initial response operations, a Project Management Office was set up by CCG to coordinate spill incident recovery measures. These measures include the review of lessons learned, assessment of any potential environmental impact, and the continued collaboration with partners to conduct response planning initiatives. The Project Management Office is comprised of partners from Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, Squamish Nation, City of Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, City and District of West Vancouver, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

The CCG requested that the Marathassa Shipping Corporation (the “Responsible Party”) conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the spill. An EIA was prepared by Hemmera Envirochem Inc. and provided to CCG by Marathassa Shipping Corporation on September 18, 2015. The EIA characterizes the oil spill extent and environmental exposure; potential impacts to marine fish, mammals, birds and their associated habitat; potential impacts to human health, culture and recreational use; cleanup efforts; environmental monitoring and sampling efforts and their associated results; and the establishment and incorporation of endpoint criteria to determine when the affected environment can be considered restored to pre-spill conditions.

The CCG is requesting that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Branch review the M/V Marathassa Fuel Spill Environmental Impact Assessment, and provide advice regarding: the adequacy of the monitoring and sampling efforts undertaken; the adequacy of reporting the objectives, methods, results, assumptions, and uncertainties; the adequacy of substantiating claims and conclusions; and identifying recommendations for future assessments. This review will only cover aspects of the EIA within DFO Science jurisdiction and expertise; namely, those related to fish and fish habitat, species ecology and ecological survey design. Information outside the scope of this review relates to the adequacy of monitoring potential effects of human and bird exposure to contamination; the fate, analysis, detection, and toxicity of contaminants; and the intent, selection or applicability of endpoint criteria. Advice arising from this Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Science Response (SR) may inform CCG and other agencies in the development of future post-spill monitoring responses.

Objectives

Science information and advice will be prepared based on a review of the information contained in the pertinent sections and subsections of the M/V Marathassa Fuel Spill Environmental Impact Assessment, prepared by Hemmera Envirochem Inc. for Marathassa Shipping Corporation, at the direction of the Canadian Coast Guard, filed September 18, 2015.

With regards to fish and fish habitat, the post-spill monitoring efforts and associated observations and conclusions reported in the EIA relate to: 

This Science Response will address the following objectives as they pertain to  fish and fish habitat, species biology and ecology, ecological survey design and information related to post-spill monitoring efforts as listed above:

  1. Evaluate the adequacy of the monitoring and sampling efforts undertaken to characterize potential effects to fish and fish habitat.
  2. Evaluate the adequacy of the approach used by the Responsible Party to determine the assessment area as the area most likely affected. 
  3. Evaluate whether statements and conclusions made in the EIA are adequately substantiated.
  4. Identify key uncertainties and information gaps that were missed, and describe consequences associated with those uncertainties where possible.
  5. Provide recommendations to guide development of future oil spill impact assessments

Expected Publication

Participation

Reference

Hemmera Enviorchem Inc. 2015. M/V Marathassa Fuel Spill Enviornmental Impact Assessment. Prepared for the Canadian Coast Guard by Hemmera Enviorchem Inc.

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