Terms of Reference

Reassessment of the Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Pacific Northern Shelf Bioregion

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

November 1-2, 2017
Sidney, BC

Chairperson: Nadja Steiner

Context

Canada’s Oceans Act (1997) provides the legislative framework for an integrated ecosystem approach to management in Canada’s oceans, particularly in areas considered ecologically and biologically significant.  Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has developed guidance for the identification of ecologically and biologically significant areas (EBSAs; DFO 2004, DFO 2011), and has endorsed the scientific criteria used by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for identifying  EBSAs as defined in Annex I of Decision IX/20 of its 9th Conference of Parties (UNEP/CBD, 2008). DFO's science advice recommends identifying EBSAs as a first step to planning networks of marine protected areas (DFO 2010). This approach was re-emphasized in Canada's National Framework for Canada's Network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs; 2011).  In addition, the Canada-BC MPA Network Strategy (2014), and the Marine Protected Area Network Technical Team (MPATT^{Footnote 1}) have been developed to provide guidance to MPA network planning, including the identification of EBSAs.

EBSAs in the Canadian Pacific Northern Shelf Bioregion (NSB) were identified in 2006 (Clarke and Jamieson 2006a, 2006b) and peer reviewed in 2012 (DFO 2013). The approach by Clarke and Jamieson was driven by expert opinion and was focused on the continental shelf. EBSAs have also been identified in the Strait of Georgia (Jamieson and Levesque 2014, DFO 2013), and the Pacific Offshore Bioregion (Ban et al. 2016, DFO 2016). Nearshore features in the Northern Shelf Bioregion were recently assessed and canopy-forming kelp forests, eelgrass meadows, estuaries, and high tidal current passages were found to meet the EBSA criteria (DFO 2017).

DFO Oceans Sector of the Ecosystems Management Branch has requested DFO Science to review previously identified EBSAs in the NSB using available biological data, including data for ecologically significant species (ESSs) and conservation priorities (DFO 2017). The information arising from this Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Regional Peer Review can be used to support the refinement of existing EBSA boundaries, and help to inform MPA network planning in the NSB, including the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area Plan.

Objectives

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

Rubidge, E., Nephin, J. Gale, K., Frid, A., and Curtis, J. Reassessment of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas in the Northern Shelf Bioregion, BC. 2014OCN01b

1. Evaluate previously identified EBSAs in the NSB using available empirical biological data.  Based on the outcome of this analysis summarize support for existing EBSA boundaries.
2. Evaluate the analytical approach for identifying areas of high biodiversity and high productivity.  This analysis may result in the identification of additional EBSAs in the NSB as high biodiversity and productivity EBSA criteria were not assessed in the previous EBSA identification process.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Canada-British Columbia-First Nations Marine Protected Area Technical Team (MPATT)
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Ecosystems Management, Fisheries Management, Science)
• Federal Government (Parks Canada, Environment Canada & Climate Change)
• Province of British Columbia
• First Nations
• Academia
• Industry representatives
• Environmental non-government organizations

References

Ban, S., Curtis, J.M., St. Germaine, C., Perry, I., and Therriault, T.W. 2016. Identification of ecologically and biologically significant areas (EBSAs) in Canada's offshore Pacific bioregion. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/034. X + 152 p.

Canada-British Columbia Marine Protected Area Network Strategy. 2014. 36 pp.

Clarke, C.L. and Jamieson, G.S. 2006a. Identification of ecologically and biologically significant areas in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area: Phase I – Identification of important areas. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2678: 59 p.

Clarke, C.L. and Jamieson, G.S. 2006b. Identification of ecologically and biologically significant areas in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area: Phase II – Final Report. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2686: v + 25 p.

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

DFO. 2010. Science Guidance on the Development of Networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2009/061.

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

DFO. 2013. Evaluation of proposed ecologically and biologically significant areas in marine waters of British Columbia. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/075.

DFO. 2016. Identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Offshore Pacific Bioregion. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/011.

DFO. 2017. Framework for Identification of Ecological Conservation Priorities for Marine  Protected Area Network Design and its Application in the Northern Shelf Bioregion. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2017/019.

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

Jamieson, G.S. and Levesque, C. 2014. Identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and the Strait of Georgia, and in some nearshore areas on the North Coast: Phase II – Designation of EBSAs. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/101. vii + 36 p.

UNEP/CBD. 2008. Decision adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at its Ninth Meeting IX/20. Marine and coastal biodiversity COP/DEC/IX/20. 12p.