Terms of Reference

Review of the Statement of Canadian Practice with respect to the Mitigation of Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment

National Peer Review – National Capital Region

May 28 – 30, 2019
Halifax, NS

Chairperson: Gilles Olivier

Context

Interest in offshore oil and gas exploration and development in Canadian waters from the Offshore Petroleum Industry continues. Concurrently, the interest and pressure to mitigate the impacts of seismic exploration activities on marine wildlife has been growing. Sound produced from airgun arrays used in these surveys can potentially have negative impacts on marine species including a variety of physiological (e.g., temporary threshold shifts, permanent threshold shifts, increased stress levels), behavioural (e.g., disturbance, harassment, displacement) and environmental (e.g., masking) impacts.

The 2007 Statement of Canadian Practice with respect to the Mitigation of Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment (SOCP) sets out minimum standard mitigation requirements for seismic survey operations in Canada in an effort to mitigate potential negative population-level impacts on marine wildlife (DFO 2008). The mitigations in the SOCP were based on documents produced at a 2003 DFO workshop that reviewed the impacts of seismic survey sound on fish, invertebrates, marine turtles, and marine mammals (e.g., DFO 2004a,b). When it was created, it was recommended that the SOCP be reviewed annually, and to be updated as additional scientific information and improved mitigation technologies and practices became available. However, the SOCP has not been formally reviewed or updated since its original publication.

Since 2007, there have been advances in the knowledge of the impacts of underwater noise on marine species, and a number of related Science Advisory Reports (SAR) and associated Research Documents have been generated (e.g., DFO 2010, DFO 2015). Although these SARs provide input relevant to the guidance in the SOCP, the advice has often been focused on the mitigation of impacts on SARA-listed species and marine mammals. Furthermore, these past SARs were intended to supplement but not replace the current SOCP. In light of new scientific information that forms the basis of the SOCP, the SOCP may benefit from a directed and comprehensive review to its effectiveness in protecting exposed marine species.

Prior to the meeting, a working paper will be produced that provides a literature review (2004–present) and analysis of recent published scientific information (including guidelines, protocols, and science advice) applicable to the development of mitigation measures in the SOCP. This literature review, gap identification, and analysis is intended to build upon previous DFO science advice, and other domestic and international best practices.

The intent of this process is to develop science advice that is applicable at the national level to be used to review and potentially update the mitigation measures in the SOCP. This meeting will address the potential impacts of seismic sound in general on all marine life, and particularly on marine mammals, fish, invertebrates and sea turtles, and will consider domestic and international best practices.

Objective

Participants will conduct a peer-review of the working paper and, based on information contained in the working paper and participant expertise, will assess the recommendations with respect to the measures within the 2007 SOCP. More specifically, participants are asked to address the following questions with respect to the impacts of seismic surveys (using air source arrays) in Canada, on marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles, and mitigation of these impacts:

1. Which of the existing mitigation measures for seismic exploration activities listed in the SOCP should be updated? If revisions to an existing mitigation measure are required, what changes are recommended?
2. Are there other technically feasible mitigation measures that should be added to the SOCP? If additional mitigation measures are required, what additions are recommended?
3. If updates or additions are recommended but not possible at this time due to knowledge gaps, what are the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed and can meeting participants make recommendations as to how can they be addressed?
4. Are there potential risks to marine species from sounds produced during seismic exploration activities that are not currently addressed in the SOCP, or by the recommended revisions or additions to the SOCP?

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document(s)

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
• Academic experts
• Offshore Petroleum Boards
• Natural Resources Canada
• Other invited experts

References

DFO. 2004a. Potential Impacts of Seismic Energy on Snow Crab. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Habitat Status Report 2004/003.

DFO. 2004b. Review of Scientific Information of Impacts of Seismic Sound on Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Turtles and Marine Mammals. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Habitat Status Report 2004/002.

DFO. 2010. Guidance Related to the Efficacy of Measures Used to Mitigate Potential Impacts of Seismic Sound of Marine Mammals. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2010/043.

DFO. 2015. Review of Mitigation and Monitoring Measures for Seismic Survey Activities in and near the Habitat of Cetacean Species at Risk. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2015/005.