Terms of Reference

National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee (NMMPRC): February 2020 Biannual Meeting

National Peer Review - National Capital Region

February 17-22, 2020
Ottawa, Ontario

Chairpersons: Garry Stenson and Lianne Postma

Context

The National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee (NMMPRC) holds at least one annual meeting to conduct scientific peer-review of marine mammal issues. Meetings provide the opportunity for collaborative review of scientific results by marine mammal experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and from other (non-DFO) organizations. Following NMMPRC peer-review and approval, scientific results are used to provide sound scientific advice for the management and conservation of marine mammals in Canada.

Topics

Specific Terms of Reference for each topic are as follows:

1. Pacific Region International Survey of Marine Megafauna (PRISMM)

Context

Several marine mammal species on the west coast of Canada are reported as by-catch in fisheries and aquaculture. A provision of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) will require Canada, as an exporter of fish products, to provide population estimates and rates of incidental mortality from fisheries operations by January 1, 2022. However, abundance estimates in Canadian Pacific waters are lacking for most cetacean species, especially for the offshore areas, or are too old to meet MMPA requirements. These species are not covered by current census programs and therefore must be assessed using a dedicated survey. Systematic surveys with the specific goal of estimating abundance of marine mammal species over the entire range of Canadian jurisdiction have been made in Atlantic Canada in 2007 and 2016 and in the Central Arctic 2013, but never in Canadian Pacific waters.

To meet the US MMPA requirements, DFO Science completed a large-scale marine megafauna survey of Canadian Pacific (inshore and offshore) waters in July-August 2018.  A towed acoustic array was used to complement visual observation and offer 24-hour per day coverage, thus maximizing the use of available ship time, even at night and in mediocre weather conditions. This array provided additional detections of rare and long/deep-diving species that are not readily observed using traditional methods, such as sperm and beaked whales, and helped to identify small cetacean species and killer whale ecotypes. Because many cetacean populations range over wide areas of the north Pacific, the timing of the Canadian survey has been aligned with that of NOAA’s next major cetacean survey of US eastern Pacific waters (which takes place every five years), thus providing a more synoptic view of cetacean distribution. The sightings data will also be essential inputs to habitat modelling exercises used in support of Critical Habitat designation. The abundance and distribution information will contribute to the creation of RPAs and management scenarios.

Objectives

To provide advice on abundance estimates and distribution for several species (including cetaceans, sea turtles, and large fish species such as basking sharks and sunfish) in Pacific Canada.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document(s)

2. Steller Sea Lion Population Abundance Estimate

Context

The Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) was assessed by COSEWIC as Special Concern in 2003 and listed as Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2005. The species was re-assessed in 2013 and the COSEWIC status remains as Special Concern. This species is restricted to only five breeding locations (consisting of 7 rookeries) in British Columbia that occupy less than 10 km², with approximately 70% of births occurring at a single location (Scott Islands). The population is increasing, but is sensitive to human disturbance while on land and is vulnerable to catastrophic events such as major oil spills due to its highly concentrated breeding aggregations.

Steller sea lion populations and distribution in BC have been surveyed since 1971, as a means of monitoring the recovery of this species in Canadian Pacific waters. Beginning in 1994, the surveys have been conducted as part of an international range-wide survey that extends from California to Alaska to Russia (i.e. monitoring both the Western and Eastern Populations of Steller sea lion). Survey techniques were standardized (Olesiuk et al. 2008) and schedules coordinated with the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, to coordinate monitoring of this highly mobile transboundary species and provide a comprehensive evaluation of the eastern Pacific population of Steller sea lion over its entire range

The Management Plan for the Steller Sea Lion in Canada (2011) identifies DFO’s “support [and contribution] to the coordination of range-wide surveys, every four years” as a high priority for this species, to meet the Research and Monitoring Objective R2 – “Conduct range wide population assessments through coordinated Canadian and US surveys, where feasible.” The information obtained through such surveys is necessary to monitor risk to the population by identifying new or re-established rookeries on the coast of British Columbia, and to inform management actions that serve to protect the species from identified threats.

Additionally, First Nations harvest of Steller Sea Lions occurs occasionally. Currently, harvest limits are unknown but considered to be negligible; however, there is emerging interest in increasing harvest of pinnipeds in Pacific Canadian waters.. The population assessments could be used to inform the development of sustainable harvest limits, as required.

Lastly, the results of this population assessment will inform actions undertaken to meet objectives identified in recovery documents for other SARA-listed marine mammals. Most notably: Research Objective R2 in the Recovery Strategy for the Transient Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in Canada, specifically state– “Minimize the risk of prey population reductions from anthropogenic activities, until precise prey needs can be determined” and Recovery Measure 24 in the Action Plan for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in Canada, specifically “Assess the potential impact of prey competition between southern resident killer whales, northern resident killer whales and other salmonid predators”. Transient killer whales are listed under SARA as Threatened, and could be vulnerable to fluctuations in their prey species. Northern and southern resident killer whales are listed under SARA as Threatened and Endangered respectively, and reduced prey availability is a key threat to both populations.

Objectives

To determine the current population status for the Steller sea lion in Canadian Pacific waters.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

3. Habitat important for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales

Context

Science advice identifying two additional areas for consideration as critical habitat for resident killer whales was provided in 2017. One of these areas is off southwestern Vancouver Island, and includes Swiftsure and La Pérouse Banks. An amendment to the Recovery Strategy for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales in Canada was completed in 2018 to incorporate these  additional areas as critical habitat; however, the scientific evidence indicating use of La Pérouse Bank by resident killer whales is limited. This concern was raised by many stakeholders and First Nations during the external review and public comment periods on the proposed amended Recovery Strategy. Two years of acoustic data have been retrieved from La Pérouse Bank by DFO Science in summer 2018; analyses of these data will allow for updated science advice regarding the inclusion of La Pérouse Bank as habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of resident killer whales.

Sections 41(1)(c) and 49(1)(a) of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) require "an identification of the species' critical habitat, to the extent possible, based on the best available information" in a final recovery strategy or action plan for a threatened or endangered species. Identification of critical habitat is often an iterative process, especially for wide-ranging marine species such as Killer Whales. Although partial critical habitat was identified for northern resident killer whales (Threatened) and southern resident killer whales (Endangered) in the 2008 Recovery Strategy, a schedule of studies was included to identify additional areas required for the survival or recovery of these populations. Science advice from this process will inform the iterative process of critical habitat designation for these populations.

Objectives

Does additional recent acoustic data support the currently published information that has identified La Pérouse Bank as habitat necessary for the survival and/or recovery of resident killer whales?

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

4. Review of NOAA's Technical Guidelines for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing

Context

The Marine Environmental Quality (MEQ) program is requesting a review of the NOAA Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS), Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS) and behavioural disruption threshold guidelines from the recently published "2018 Revision to: Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing (Version 2.0)" (hereafter referred to as “NOAA’s Technical Guidance”) produced by the National Marine Fisheries Service under NOAA. This review requires identifying the implications of applying the guidelines and acoustic thresholds identified in the NOAA Technical Guidance in a Canadian context to effectively manage marine anthropogenic sound producing activities in the Canadian marine ecosystem. Generally, are the guidelines and thresholds suitable for mitigating auditory physiological effects (i.e., temporary or permeant hearing loss) on marine mammals in Canada's jurisdictional waters?

Under the Oceans Act, the MEQ program has a mandate to identify science and management gaps, assess the impact of noise and other stressors on marine species and the ecosystems that sustain them and to develop or adapt measures to mitigate and manage risks. As part of the Establishing MEQ measures initiative of the Ocean Protection Plan, the MEQ program is committed to developing at least one measure to address noise and an Ocean Noise Strategy for Canada by 2021-2022. This information will be used by the MEQ program to inform appropriate underwater ocean noise measures in a Canadian context, including potential thresholds and to address a potential gap (lack of codified guidelines and thresholds) identified in the early stages of the Ocean Noise Strategy.

In particular, please note this information will also be used by the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program as they are the lead in making regulatory decisions under the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act with respect to noise producing activities in the marine environment such as oil and gas exploratory seismic programs, shipping and blasting. The advice may be combined with other departmental advice and submitted to the Canada Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) or other regulators, such as the federal-provincial offshore petroleum boards, in support of federal/provincial environmental assessments

Objectives

To address the following questions:

• What are the key assumptions underpinning NOAA’s Technical Guidance that should be considered in the context of managing acoustic impacts on marine mammal species that reside or migrate through Canadian waters?
• In consideration of marine mammal species that reside or migrate through Canadian waters, what are the areas of greatest scientific agreement and the most important sources of uncertainty and limitations associated with the methods and acoustic impact metrics (i.e., peak pressure level, cumulative sound exposure level) used to develop NOAA’s Technical Guidance?
• Given these assumptions, areas of consensus, and sources of uncertainties and limitations, what are some of the potential implications of applying the PTS or TTS onset thresholds as set out in NOAA’s Technical Guidance to management and mitigation measures used for reducing negative impacts on marine mammals of noise producing activities in Canadian waters (e.g., such as for establishing safety zone radius’ during seismic exploration activities).

Expected Publications

• Research Document

5. Hudson Bay-Davis Strait Atlantic Walrus abundance estimate

Context

The Hudson Bay-Davis Strait stock of the Central Arctic population of Atlantic Walrus encompasses a very large geographical area. For management purposes, the stock includes numerous harvesting communities and is a shared stock with Greenland.  Walrus is a key national fishery for DFO. DFO is continuing to build on the Sustainable Fisheries Framework for key fisheries that contains existing DFO policies for resource management decisions, and builds on new policies to address ecosystem factors and precautionary considerations. An Integrated Fishery Management Plan (IFMP) has been approved by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) and the Minister of DFO. The IFMP identifies the need for accurate and current populations abundance estimates.

Walrus are harvested by Inuit in the Nunavut Settlement Area and are managed according to applicable federal acts and regulations, as well as relevant land claims agreements. This request for science advice will be used by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Inuit organizations and other stakeholders in the management of the species and in the establishment of harvest levels.  It may also be used internationally (NAMMCO and Greenland).

Objectives

A survey of Hudson Bay–Davis Strait (including the east coast of Baffin Island) was undertaken in the summer of 2017. Resource Management requests an updated population abundance estimate for this stock as well as the Potential Biological Removal (PBR).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document(s)

6. Northern Hudson Bay Narwhal - Abundance Estimate and Sustainable Harvest Advice

Context

Inuit subsistence harvests of Northern Hudson Bay (NHB) narwhal occur mainly in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, with smaller subsistence harvests in four Qikiqtaaluk Region communities (Hall Beach, Igloolik, Cape Dorset and Iqaluit) and within the Nunavik Marine Region by Nunavik (Northern Quebec) Inuit communities along Hudson Strait.

Subsistence harvests of NHB narwhal are currently managed by Total Allowable Landed Catch (TALC) advice from DFO Science, developed from aerial surveys of NHB narwhal summer range. For the harvest to remain within sustainable limits, the TAH cannot be exceeded. The current Total Allowable Harvest (TAH) of NHB narwhal was established by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, based on DFO aerial surveys flown in 2010.  Aerial surveys were completed in 2018 to update the existing abundance estimate and sustainable harvest advice, for consideration by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.

Narwhal are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and a non-detrimental finding (NDF) decision from the DFO Scientific Authority is required to obtain a CITES Export/Re-export permit to export narwhal products internationally. Canadian management units are ineligible for international trade if the harvest exceeds the Total Allowable Landed Catch recommendation for a population. Under CITES requirements, updated science and a documented management approach are required to show sustainable narwhal management to allow for international trade. The NLCA requires a valid conservation basis on which to limit Inuit harvest.

DFO Science advice will be used to update the existing IFMP and submitted to the NWMB for decision.  Hunters will be affected if their current harvest exceeds sustainable levels.

Objectives

To provide an updated abundance estimate for the Northern Hudson Bay (NHB) narwhal population.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

7. Evaluation of impacts of Total Allowable Take over-runs on Eastern Hudson Bay beluga

Context

Beluga harvesting in Nunavik has been regulated through a combination of area closures, and seasonal and regional allowable takes. In 2006, the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement resulted in the establishment of the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board (NMRWB) that has responsibilities for the co-management of Nunavik beluga. In 2011, the NMRWB established a total allowable take (TAT) that was to be effective for a three-year period.  COSEWIC has designated the population of Eastern Hudson Bay (EHB) Beluga as Threatened, and a multi-year management plan is in place to provide subsistence hunting for Inuit of Nunavik.

The EHB beluga stock is managed using a three-year management plan, which expires on January 31, 2020. This management plan allowed the hunting of 68 beluga whales of the EHB population annually, for a total take of 204 individuals over three years. In the last year of the plan, the harvest exceeded the total allowable take (TAT) by about 30 animals. To meet management objectives during the next period of application of the management plan, we have been asked to review the current state of the stock to provide support to decision makers for any additional management measures.

Objectives

To review the current state of the EHB beluga stock, evaluate the impacts of recent TAT over-runs on Eastern Hudson Bay beluga, and provide sustainable harvest advice for the next three year management plan cycle.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• DFO (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Species at Risk, Fisheries and Harbour Management sectors)
• Academia or Academics
• Stakeholders
• Other invited experts