Terms of Reference

DFO Maritimes Region Science Review of Four Proposed New Marine Finfish Aquaculture Sites, St. Mary’s Bay, Digby County, Nova Scotia

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

March 19-21, 2024

Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Ben Davis and Brittany Beauchamp

Context

Canadian Salmon Ltd. has submitted applications to the Province of Nova Scotia to construct and operate four new finfish aquaculture sites (#1449, #1450, #1451, and #1452), in St. Mary’s Bay, Digby County, Nova Scotia. As per the Canada-Nova Scotia Memorandum of Understanding on Aquaculture Development, the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (NSDFA) has forwarded these applications to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for review and advice in relation to DFO’s legislative mandate. The applications were supplemented by information collected by the proponent as required by the Aquaculture Activities Regulations (AAR). To help inform DFO’s review of these applications, the Regional Aquaculture Management Office has asked for DFO Science advice on the predicted exposure zones (PEZs) associated with certain 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 sites and the scientific information, what are the predicted exposure zones from the use of approved fish health treatment products in the marine environment, and the potential 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 distribution 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(ies)?
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 listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act make use of the area, for what duration, and when?
5. What populations of conspecifics are within a geographic range that escaped farmed fish are likely to migrate? What is the size and status trends of those populations in the escape exposure zone for the proposed sites? Are any of these populations listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act? What are the potential impacts and/or risks to these wild populations from direct genetic interactions associated with any escaped farmed fish from the proposed aquaculture activity?

Expected Publication

• Science Advisory Report

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Aquaculture Management
• Indigenous Groups
• Provincial Government
• Academia
• Industry
• Non-government organizations