Terms of Reference

Vulnerability assessment of biological components of the St. Lawrence to ship-source oil spills

Regional Peer Review Process – Quebec Region

January 24-25, 2017
Mont-Joli, Québec

Chairperson: Gilles Olivier

Context

A National Framework to identify biological vulnerabilities in the marine environment to ship-source oil spills (the Framework) was developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). There was a peer review conducted in March 2016 and the document is being published by the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) (Thornborough et al., unpublished^{Footnote 1}). The Framework and its application were developed by the DFO Sciences Branch to update Canada’s Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime as part of the establishment of a World Class Tanker Safety System undertaken by Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard. The marine environment is complex and diverse, which is problematic when selecting the DFO information that could be shared with the various departments and stakeholders involved in planning and intervention for this type of environmental emergency.

The CSAS national peer review revealed that use of this Framework was appropriate for all Canadian regions, but that a certain regional flexibility had to be maintained, considering that biotas differ according to region. The study area for the Quebec Region extends from Québec City to Anticosti Island and therefore covers the estuarine environment and the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence. To take into account the estuarine nature of this study area, certain changes were made to the groups and sub-groups of species proposed by the Framework. The practical use of this Framework also revealed certain problems with its application. Changes are proposed, particularly regarding certain vulnerability assessment criteria, as well as the selection method and presentation of the results.

The assessment and recommendation resulting from this CSAS regional peer review will first be used to support the choice of data that DFO will share with the National Environmental Emergencies Centre (NEEC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The NEEC uses this mapped data for planning and intervention during oil spills across the country. The results of the analysis will help to determine the relevant priority data for representing the species and groups of species most vulnerable to oil. The research document can also be used for other purposes, such as the development of documentary and mapping tools for the vulnerabilities identified, which serve as input for a more detailed risk analysis or any other management objective related to oil spills. It could also be adapted and applied to other regions, in freshwater or marine environments.

Objectives

The following working paper will be reviewed and will provide the basis for discussion and recommendations on the specific objectives outlined below.

Desjardins, C., Hamel, D., Landry, L., Scallon-Chouinard, P.-M. and Chalut, K. Vulnerability Assessment of Biological Components  in the St. Lawrence to Ship-sourced Oil Spills CSAS Working Paper

The main objective and sub-objectives are presented below:

1. Assess the proposed adaptation of the National Framework to the St. Lawrence pilot area and identify biological vulnerabilities in the St. Lawrence estuarine and marine environments resulting from ship-source oil spills:
   1. Assess whether the changes made to the National Framework are adequate and applicable to the St. Lawrence pilot area;
   2. Assess whether the list of taxa and groups of taxa is representative of the study region, namely the Estuary and Northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence;
   3. Assess whether the criteria used are valid and well defined to meet this mandate;
   4. Assess whether the taxa and groups of taxa have been rated properly for each of the criteria;
   5. Assess whether the whole of the analysis is consistent in its components and whether the way in which the different levels of vulnerability are presented is valid and meets the requirements of this mandate;
   6. Assess whether the gaps in knowledge raised were properly identified and described.

Note that consultations with experts have already taken place throughout the year and that a major part of the list of taxa, groups of taxa and criteria ranking has already been reviewed. That said, it will still be possible to make changes during and after the review. Rather, the focus is on assessing the consistency and adequacy of the overall approach.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) – Science and Oceans Management
• Transport Canada
• Canadian Coast Guard
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Government of Quebec (MFFP and MDDELCC)
• Academia
• Industry (ECRC)
• Other invited experts