Terms of Reference

Advice to inform the development of a drug and pesticide post-deposit marine finfish aquaculture monitoring program in support of the Aquaculture Activities Regulations

National Peer Review – National Capital Region

March 2-6, 2020
St. Andrews, NB

Chairpersons: Jay Parsons and Ingrid Burgetz

Context

As stated in the Aquaculture Activities Regulations (AAR) Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (Canada Gazette 2014), and reiterated in the s.36 interdepartmental MOU between ECCC, DFO, and HC, DFO requires scientific advice to inform the development of a drug and pesticide monitoring regulatory program and monitoring standard under the AAR. As part of the MOU, partners have established a Science Advice Implementation Plan (SAIP) in order to develop an ongoing interdepartmental science-based research advisory process to inform the development of a post-deposit monitoring program, in addition to the identification of potential actions to take when monitoring indicates that drugs and pesticides used in aquaculture are causing an impact. The results of this process is to be used to inform cost-effective, risk-based post-deposit monitoring, mitigation, and remedial actions, with respect to drugs and pesticides, for future incorporation into the proposed Regulations.
This science advice process will apply to drugs authorized for use under the Food and Drugs Act, and pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act. In the Canadian marine finfish aquaculture context, the term drug generally applies to any in-feed product, including both antimicrobial agents (e.g., oxytetracycline) and anti-parasitic products (e.g., SLICE®, active ingredient emamectin benzoate). The term pesticide applies to a pest control product that is applied as an in-bath treatment (e.g., Salmosan®, active ingredient azamethiphos). Additionally, the requested advice and the monitoring program developed based on this advice will inform amended regulations that will help Canada better respond to international commitments made under the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization to protect wild Atlantic Salmon and on prevention of marine pollution under the London Protocol and Convention, two marine pollution prevention treaties to which Canada is party (1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter).
As with the existing AAR regime, the regulatory framework for assessing pesticide and drug deposits will be applied on a site-by-site basis and will consider the active ingredient and its impacts.

Objectives

The objective of this Science National Peer Review Process is to provide scientific advice on:

• aspects of the monitoring and measurement of drugs and pesticides residues in the environment immediately surrounding the aquaculture facility, such as how and where to sample and how to interpret residue concentrations in sediments;
• how to create applicable regulatory thresholds that embody the precautionary approach through the development of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS);
• how to model potential dispersion and deposition of drugs and pesticides; and
• how to assess antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as an impact from antibiotic deposition.

This science advice will be used to inform the design and operation of a monitoring program for drugs and pesticides used in marine finfish aquaculture. The program will include pre-impact evaluation (predictive modelling) and post-deposit sampling design and assessment for compliance.This Process will also provide advice on potential mitigation and remediation measures to reduce or eliminate ecosystem impacts from the deposit of pesticides and drugs on the marine environment, and further improve the sustainable management of marine finfish aquaculture in Canada. Knowledge gaps will be identified through the process and may need to be explored further in order to properly develop the monitoring approach.

This Science National Peer Review Process will evaluate the scientific evidence presented in the following working papers:

• An updated review of hazards associated with the use of pesticides and drugs used in the finfish aquaculture industry in Canada
• Overview of the Use of Pesticides and Drugs by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry in 2016 and 2017
• Review of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Aquaculture
• Review of valued species and valued ecosystem components (VEC) at risk for potential harm from deposition of pesticide and drug residues within marine aquaculture sites
• Alternative Treatments for Sea Lice in Salmonid Aquaculture
• Standard operating procedures of pesticides and in-feed drugs on aquaculture sites
• Chemical extraction techniques for the determination of pesticides and drugs used by the aquaculture industry
• Discussion of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) and their development for the monitoring of impacts from the use of pesticides and drugs at marine aquaculture sites
• Modelling and Predicting Ecosystem Exposure to In-Feed Pesticides and Drugs Discharged from Marine Fish Farm Operations: An Initial Perspective
• Modelling and Predicting Ecosystem Exposure to Bath Pesticides Discharged from Marine Fish Farm Operations: An Initial Perspective
• Some Considerations for a Post-Deposit Sampling Program

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Documents

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Aquaculture Policy Directorate)
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Health Canada – Veterinary Drugs Directorate, Health Environment and Consumer Safety Branch, Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and Regional Operations and Enforcement Branch
• Provincial Government Departments involved in the management of aquaculture
• Academia
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• Industry (finfish aquaculture industry)
• Other invited experts