Terms of Reference

Re-evaluation of the Placentia Bay-Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area to identify Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas

Regional Peer Review – Newfoundland and Labrador Region

January 17-18, 2017
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Keith Clarke

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has developed guidance for the identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) (DFO 2004) and has endorsed the scientific criteria of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for identifying ecologically or biologically significant marine areas as defined in Annex I of Decision IX/20 of its 9th Conference of Parties. A DFO National Advisory Process was also held to examine the lessons learned with the previous application of national guidelines to identify EBSAs within the Department’s Bioregions (DFO 2011).

In support of domestic integrated management efforts, EBSAs have been identified in each of DFO’s five Large Ocean Management Areas (LOMA), as well as areas outside the LOMA in the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Shelves Bioregion (DFO 2013). EBSAs were identified in the Placentia Bay-Grand Banks (PBGB) LOMA in 2007 (Templeman 2007) but new guidance followed after this advice (DFO 2011). An update on the science advice regarding EBSAs identification in the PBGB LOMA has been requested by the Oceans Program, NL Region.

Objectives

To provide an update to the Research Document 2007/052 by re-evaluating the PBGB LOMA to identify EBSAs using the most recent and relevant data available, consistent with methods used in the Science Advisory Report (SAR) 2013/048 and based on advice provided in the SAR 2011/049.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• DFO (Science, Ecosystem Management, and Fisheries Management Branches)
• Fishing Industry
• Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods
• Academia
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• Environmental non-governmental organizations

References

DFO. 2004. Identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Ecosystem Status Rep. 2004/006.

DFO. 2011. Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas – Lessons Learned. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/049.

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.

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.