Periods of low risk (when work can be carried out) to fish and fish habitat in marine and estuarine environments

Carrying out the work during periods of low risk prevents serious harm to marine and estuarine species.

• Area : Estuaire moyen
• Area : Haute-Côte-Nord and Fjord du Saguenay
• Area : Moyenne-Côte-Nord and Île d’Anticosti
• Area : Basse-Côte-Nord
• Area : Bas-Saint-Laurent / Gaspésie
• Area : Baie-des-Chaleurs
• Area : Îles-de-la-Madeleine

Figure 1. Areas of the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Effects taken into account to determine the periods of low risk

The increase in the concentration of suspended solids and their deposition on the bottom, high noise levels and lighting during night work are the main effects that were taken into account to determine the periods of low risk.

These effects, which may be generated during the work, may prevent or interfere with the fulfilment of important activities for certain sensitive species (Table 1).

Carrying out the work during periods of low risk prevents target species from being exposed to these effects.

Please note that:

• Marine mammals are not included in the target species. If your project may affect them, you must contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
• If aquatic species at risk are present at the work site or near it, you must contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Zone delimitation

The periods of low risk depends on the area (see Figure 1) and the zone where the work will be carried out (see Figure 2). The boundary of the zones are as follows:

• Watercourse mouth :
  • In the mouth of a watercourse or in the portion of the watercourse subject to the influence of salt water (upstream boundary of the salt front) or
  • Along the coast, within 1 km of the boundaries of the mouth.
• Coastal shoreline :
  • From the boundary of the higher high water large tide up to 1 km from the coast.
  • Excluding the watercourse mouth zones.
• Coastal zone :
  • From the edge of the coastal shoreline zone up to 5 km from the coast.

Note : The upper limit of fish habitat is defined by the boundary of the higher high water large tide

Figure 2. Boundaries of the different zones

How to determine the period(s) of low risk

To identify the recommended period(s) for your project, you must:

1. Select the area where you plan to carry out the works.
2. Identify the zone(s) in which your works will be carried out.
3. Using the table that corresponds to the zone, determine the species that may be present at the work site or within 1 km of it. If you do not have information about the species that may be present during your work, you must use the period(s) of low risk identified in the All Species category.
4. Determine the period of low risk. For example, if more than one species may be present during the same period (from May to August and from July to August), you will need to determine the time period(s) in common (July to August).
5. Plan your works so as to carry them out during the consequent period of low risk.

Examples of how to determine periods of low risk 

Area : Estuaire moyen

The Estuaire moyen area extends from the western boundary of Saint-Joachim to the eastern boundary of Baie-Sainte-Catherine on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River, and the western boundary of the municipality of Berthier-sur-Mer to the eastern boundary of L’Isle-Verte on the South Shore.

Within Estuaire moyen, there is a concentration area of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon. The period of low risk specific to the Atlantic sturgeon is only applicable to this concentration area and not the entire Estuaire moyen area.

¹ Applies only if the work is taking place in the concentration area of the juvenile sturgeon. If the work is taking place outside of this concentration area, the period of low risk is from July 1 to August 15 and from October 10 to May 15 in coastal shoreline zones, and from June 25 to August 15 and from October 10 to May 20 in coastal zones.

Area : Haute-Côte-Nord and Fjord du Saguenay

For the Haute-Côte-Nord region, the boundaries are from Tadoussac to Pointe-des-Monts. For the Fjord du Saguenay region, the downstream boundary is between Pointe Noire (Baie-Ste-Catherine) and Pointe de l'Islet (Tadoussac) and the upstream boundary corresponds to the eastern boundary of Sainte-Fulgence.

Area : Moyenne-Côte-Nord and Île d’Anticosti

This area, which also includes Anticosti Island, extends from Pointe-des-Monts to east of the Natashquan River. This area was divided in 2 sub-areas to account for observed differences in capelin spawning periods.

Area : Basse-Côte-Nord

The Basse-Côte-Nord area extends from the eastern boundary of Kegaska Bay to the eastern boundary of the municipality of Blanc-Sablon.

Area : Bas-St-Laurent / Gaspésie

The Bas-St-Laurent / Gaspésie area extends from the eastern boundary of L’Isle-Verte to the eastern boundary of Cap d'Espoir.

Area : Baie-des-Chaleurs

The Baie-des-Chaleurs area extends from the mouth of the Restigouche River up to Cap d'Espoir.

Area : Îles-de-la-Madeleine

This area covers all of Îles-de-la-Madeleine islands, including the lagoons.