Terms of Reference

DFO Maritimes Region Review of the Proposed New Marine Finfish Aquaculture Site, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

November 29-30, 2021
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

Context

Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. has submitted an application to the Province of New Brunswick to construct and operate a new site, Rams Head (#MF-0509), in Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick. As per the Canada-New Brunswick Memorandum of Understanding on Aquaculture Development, the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries (NBDAAF) has forwarded this application to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for review and advice in relation to DFO’s legislative mandate.

To help inform DFO’s review of this application, the Regional Aquaculture Management Office has asked for DFO Science advice on the predicted exposure zones (PEZs) associated with the range of aquaculture activities, and the predicted impacts on susceptible fish and fish habitat, including sensitive Species at Risk (SAR) listed species, susceptible fishery species, and the habitats that support them.

Objectives

Specifically, DFO Science has been asked the following questions:  

1. Based on the available data for the site and the scientific information, what is the predicted exposure zone from the use of approved fish health treatment products in the marine environment, and the predicted consequences to susceptible species?
2. Based on available information, what are the Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas, Species listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act, fishery species, Ecologically Significant Species, and their associated habitats that are within the predicted benthic exposure zone and vulnerable to exposure from the deposition of organic matter? How does this compare to the extent of these species and habitats in the surrounding area (i.e., are they common or rare)? What are the anticipated impacts to these sensitive species and habitats from the proposed aquaculture activity?
3. How do the impacts on these species from the proposed aquaculture site compare to impacts from other anthropogenic sources (including existing finfish farms)? Do the zones of influence overlap with these activities and if so, what are the potential consequences?
4. To support the analysis of risk of entanglement with the proposed aquaculture infrastructure, which pelagic aquatic species at risk make use of the area, and for what duration and when?
5. Which populations of conspecifics are within a geographic range that escapes are likely to migrate to? What is the size and status trends of those populations in the escape exposure zone for the proposed site? Are any of these populations listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act?

Expected Publication

• Science Response Report

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Aquaculture Management
• DFO Fisheries Protection Program