Terms of Reference

Delineating Features of the Evangeline-Cape Blomidon-Minas Basin Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA)

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

March 1, 2017
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has developed criteria for the identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs), including uniqueness, aggregation, fitness consequences, resilience and naturalness characteristics of ecological features (DFO 2004, 2011).

In 2012, a number of EBSAs were identified in the Bay of Fundy through a DFO Maritimes Region Science Advisory Process, including the Evangeline-Cape Blomidon-Minas Basin EBSA (DFO 2012, Buzeta 2014). The Evangeline-Cape Blomidon-Minas Basin EBSA is a large, complex ecosystem with a great diversity of habitats, many of which are important for different reasons.

To ensure that Oceans and Coastal Management Division, Maritimes Region has the most up-to-date information on the location and seasonality of the important features of the Minas Basin EBSA, a consultant reviewed recent literature, consulted government data holdings (DFO, Canadian Wildlife Service and Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources) and, where possible, prepared maps showing the extent of the EBSA features.

Objective

The objective of this Science Advisory Process is to review the information contained in the report Spatial and Temporal Delineation of Ecological Features within the Minas Basin Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA) (Envirosphere Consultants Ltd. 2016). Specifically:

1. review the information contained in the report to ensure its accuracy and completeness with respect to the identified important ecological features;
2. review the information contained in the report to ensure it documents the extent and seasonality of the features; and
3. discuss and prioritize data deficiencies and research directions.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Oceans and Coastal Management Division
• DFO Species at Risk Management Division
• DFO Fisheries Protection Program
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Invited experts

References

Buzeta, M-I. 2014. Identification and Review of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas in the Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/065.

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. 2012. Marine Protected Area Network Planning in the Scotian Shelf Bioregion: Objectives, Data, and Methods. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/064.

Envirosphere Consultants Ltd. 2016. Spatial and Temporal Delineation of Ecological Features within the Minas Basin Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA). Internal Document. Unpublished Manuscript.