Eastern Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment

4.3 Human Activities

The following provides an overview of the existing human environment of the SEA Study Area. This includes, initially, a high-level overview of the various regions and communities that comprise the Eastern Newfoundland region, as overall background and context. This overview is followed by a description of those human activities that are particularly relevant to the scope of the SEA. This includes marine fisheries and other activities and elements that occur within or near the marine environment, and which therefore have the potential to interact with, and be affected by, future oil and gas activities in the SEA Study Area.

4.3.1 Regions and Communities

Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of , and consists of the Island of Newfoundland (111,390 km2), as well as Labrador (294,330 km2) which is located to the northwest on the Canadian mainland. The province had a 2011 population of 514,536 residents (Statistics Canada 2013a). The Island of Newfoundland comprises less than 30 percent of the province’s total land area, but is home to nearly 95 percent of its population. Residents live in approximately 250 municipalities and many unincorporated communities that range in population from fewer than five to more than 100,000 (NLDMA 2013). Communities are widely distributed along the coastline as well as throughout the interior of the Island.

The following provides general baseline information related to the eastern portion of the Island of Newfoundland, specifically along the coast, with a focus on various relevant socioeconomic characteristics such as population, economy, employment and business and housing.

This existing human environment is described in general for Eastern Newfoundland, including sub regions that are organized for various purposes such as government administration or data collection and dissemination. The discussion of population is based on Local Areas (Figure 4.113) as defined by the NL Department of Finance’s Community Accounts system, and which correspond with Statistics Canada’s Census Subdivisions. For the discussion of the regional economy, the focus is on the seven relevant provincial Regional Economic Zones (Figure 4.114):

1) Economic Zone 14: Gander - Fogo Island 2) Economic Zone 15: Clarenville - Bonavista 3) Economic Zone 16: Burin Peninsula 4) Economic Zone 17: North - 5) Economic Zone 18: Whitbourne - St. Mary’s 6) Economic Zone 19: Northeast Avalon 7) Economic Zone 20: Southern Shore -

Although the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Economic Zone Boards have been discontinued, much of the available local and regional socioeconomic information is based on these boundaries. Thus, they are a useful focus for presentation and analyses of data at the regional level for this SEA.

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Figure 4.113 Eastern Newfoundland, Local Areas

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Figure 4.114 Eastern Newfoundland, Economic Zones

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The most current and relevant available data and information are used to describe the existing (regional) human environment. Baseline data are drawn from various sources including:

 Federal government departments and agencies (e.g. Statistics Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Marine Atlantic);

 Provincial government departments (e.g. Department of Finance, Department of Transportation and Works, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Department of Municipal Affairs, Department of Tourism, Statistics Agency including Community Accounts); and

 Local businesses and associations involved in the seafood processing industry.

Depending on the topic (e.g. population or economy), data are compiled for Local Areas, Census Subdivisions, Economic Zones or a combination of these.

4.3.2 Population

The population of the Eastern Newfoundland region was 354,752 persons in 2011. The majority of the communities in the region are small coastal towns, with the most densely populated areas being located on the Northeast Avalon as well as a number of other smaller centres at Gander, Clarenville and Conception Bay North (NLSA 2013).

The populations of most areas of the province are declining but the overall population of Eastern Newfoundland increased by 3.6 percent between 2001 and 2011 (Table 4.106). Growth occurred in the Gander, Norris Arm, Clarenville, , Holyrood and Northeast Avalon Local Areas, which include the greater St. John’s area and other regional service centres. Some areas are experiencing growth mainly in the residential sector due to their proximity to these centres. The population has also been fairly stable in the Lewisporte, Gambo, Conception Bay North and Whitbourne Local Areas (Statistics Canada 2013a).

Table 4.106 Population, Eastern Newfoundland Region % Change Local Area (Census Subdivisions) 2001 2006 2011 (2001 to 2011) Local Area 64: Twillingate Island 3,055 2,850 2,683 -12.1% Local Area 63: New World Islands 3,705 3,430 3,168 -14.5% Local Area 67: Fogo and Change Islands 2,941 2,706 2,395 -18.6% Local Area 61: Lewisporte Area 5,380 5,320 5,335 -1% Local Area 62: Notre Dame Bay South 2,515 2,400 2,253 -10.4% Local Area 65: Hamilton Sound 3,436 4,301 4,099 19.2% Local Area 66: Straight Shore 2,125 1,810 1,763 -17% Local Area 46: Wesleyville Area 3,000 2,710 2,409 -19.7% Local Area 47: Area 3,550 3,415 3,369 -5.1% Local Area 57: Gambo Area 2,150 2,090 2,042 -5% Local Area 45: Gander Area 11,255 11,575 12,683 12.7% Local Area 44: Norris Arm Area 1,125 1,075 1,207 7.3% Local Area 49: Chandlers Reach 4,070 3,955 3,836 -5.7% Local Area 50: Southern Bay Area 1,225 1,075 971 -20.7% Local Area 26: Placentia Bay North West 680 645 610 -10.3% Local Area 53: Catalina Area 2,735 2,325 2,201 -19.5% Local Area 51: Black Head Bay Area 790 675 616 -22%

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% Change Local Area (Census Subdivisions) 2001 2006 2011 (2001 to 2011) Local Area 52: Bonavista Area 4,140 3,865 3,654 -11.47% Local Area 54: Trinity, Trinity Bay Area 1,440 1,200 973 -32.4% Local Area 55: Smith Sound- 7,620 7,850 8,533 12% Local Area 56: South West Arm Area 2,360 2,150 2,055 -12.9% Local Area 1: Isthmus of Avalon 5,225 4,915 4,748 -9.1% Local Area 18: Placentia Bay West Centre 1,675 1,530 1,342 -19.9% Local Area 19: Mortier Bay 6,760 6,220 6,297 -6.8% Local Area 5: North Shore of Conception Bay 3,985 3,725 3,433 -13.9% Local Area 4: -Winterton Area 2,350 2,115 1,961 -16.6% Local Area 6: Area 7,980 7,780 7,638 -4.3% Local Area 7: Area 5,450 5,375 5,392 -1.1% Local Area 3: Heart’s Delight Area 4,360 4,155 4,191 -3.9% Local Area 8: Spaniards Bay Area 2,930 2,790 2,897 -1.1% Local Area 9: Bay Roberts Area 5,405 5,705 5,864 8.5% Local Area 16: Whitbourne Area 2,335 2,355 2,287 -2.1% Local Area 10: Clarke’s Beach Area 5,760 5,685 5,211 -9.5% Local Area 11: Head of Conception Bay 6,300 6,705 6,748 7.1% Local Area 2: Placentia-St. Bride’s Area 6,305 5,620 5,063 -19.7% Local Area 15: St. Mary’s Bay 3,050 2,780 2,607 -14.5% Local Area 12: Bell Island 3,075 2,780 2,690 -12.5% Local Area 17: Northeast Avalon 172,980 181,145 197,081 13.9% Local Area 13: Southern Shore 3,750 3,655 3,241 -13.6% Local Area 14: 1,350 1,165 8,73 -35.3% Local Area 25:Terrenceville Area 1,145 955 937 -18.2% Local Area 24: Bay L’Argent Area 1,310 1,145 1,021 -22.1% Local Area 23: Fortune – Area 5,425 4,995 4,713 -13.1% Local Area 22: Lamaline Area 1,785 1,580 1,473 -17.5% Local Area 21: St. Lawrence Area 1,705 1,485 1,374 -19.4% Local Area 20: Burin Area 3,900 3,695 3,391 -13.1% Local Area 19: Mortier Bay 6,760 6,220 6,297 -6.8% Eastern Newfoundland Region (Total) 342,352 343,697 354,752 3.6% Source: NLSA (2013), NLSA (2011), NLSA (2006)

4.3.3 Economy, Employment and Business

The following sections provide a general and relatively high-level description of the economy and associated employment and business activity in Eastern Newfoundland, as context for the SEA. Additional information on specific aspects of the regional economy that are especially relevant to the focus and scope of the SEA, such as fisheries and tourism, is provided in Sections 4.3.4 and 4.3.5.

4.3.3.1 Regional Economic Overview

The following paragraphs provide brief descriptions of economic activity within the seven economic zones most relevant to the Eastern Newfoundland area (see Figure 4.114).

Economic Zone 14 includes an area from the interior of Newfoundland to the coast and encompasses Gander, Twillingate and Fogo Island. Fishing remains an important economic activity here, and the area has at least 12 seafood processors mainly located on Bonavista Bay, in the Twillingate and Fogo Island

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 317 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment areas and on the Eastport Peninsula (ASP 2013; DFA 2013). Tourism is an emerging activity with Twillingate, Fogo Island, Change Islands and Terra Nova National Park being top destinations (NL Tourism 2013). Current major capital projects (greater than $1 million in investment) include health care facilities in Glovertown and Lewisporte (NLDOF 2013).

Economic Zone 15 includes all of the Bonavista Peninsula along with Clarenville and the Isthmus of the Avalon, and thus borders on Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay and Placentia Bay. Seafood processors are located in the Bonavista area, Clarenville, Random Island and on the three bays (ASP 2013; DFA 2013). Bonavista, Trinity and the White Hills Ski Resort are key seasonal tourism destinations. A sealing industry interpretation centre is under construction at Elliston and the Terra Nova Golf resort is under redevelopment and expansion (NLDOF 2013). New healthcare facilities are being built in Clarenville and Bonavista. Major capital projects also include ongoing industrial infrastructure investments at the oil refinery at Come By Chance. The gravity based structure (GBS) for the Hebron Offshore Oil Project is being constructed at Bull Arm (NLDOF 2013).

Economic Zone 16 encompasses the whole of the Burin Peninsula. Seafood processors are located at Marystown, Lawn and St. Lawrence (ASP 2013), and major capital projects include the construction of offshore oil infrastructure and other marine vessels at Marystown. The is developing a search and rescue station at Burin. Newspar is currently redeveloping the fluorspar mine at St. Lawrence (NLDOF 2013).

Zone 17 includes all of the Northwest Avalon to the centre of the Peninsula. This area has at least 10 seafood processors located in both Trinity and Conception Bays (ASP 2013; DFA 2013). and are top tourism attractions (NL Tourism 2013). Major capital investments include a new business park at Spaniard’s Bay and health care facilities in Carbonear and Harbour Grace (NLDOF 2013).

The larger towns of Placentia and Whitbourne are located in Zone 18, which also encompasses the eastern side of Placentia Bay and the west side of St. Mary’s Bay. One seafood producer is located St. Bride’s, Placentia Bay and two are situated on St. Mary’s Bay (ASP 2013; DASP 2012; HSF nd, DFA 2013). Currently, two large capital investment projects are occurring in the region: the construction of Vale’s nickel processing facility at Long Harbour and the replacement of the lift bridge in Placentia (NLDOF 2013). Placentia Bay is a busy industrial area with current activities such as fishing, oil and gas (Come By Chance and Whiffen Head), the Vale development at Long Harbour, the industrial port of Argentia and the Marine Atlantic terminal also at Argentia. The Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve is one of several major tourism destinations here (NL Tourism 2013).

The Northeast Avalon, Zone 19, is the location of the largest concentration of population and the largest and most diverse economy in the province. The provincial capital of St. John’s and surrounding municipalities are home to a varied range of government services, industrial development, commercial and retail services, educational institutions and tourism activity. This area is also the supply base for the current offshore oil and gas industry, with related infrastructure and services in St. John’s and .

Of the current 208 major capital projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, 119 are located in Eastern Newfoundland, 96 are located in Zone 19 and another six are partly located in this area. Nearly half of these are residential developments, of which many are condominiums, followed by commercial / industrial and retail investments. Governments are investing in health care and educational facilities,

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 318 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment municipal infrastructure and transportation. Public bodies and private companies are also investing in recreational and cultural facilities (NLDOF 2013).

Fishing harbours are located throughout Zone 19, but the area has relatively limited seafood processing (ASP 2013; DFA 2013; NRL nd). The St. John’s waterfront is a mixture of industrial marine activity as well as tourism, with boat tours and cruise ships operating seasonally. Top tourism destinations in Zone 19 include St. John’s and George Street where the tourism season is fairly consistent throughout the year (NL Tourism 2013).The St. John’s area has a strong market for tourism, particularly in meetings and conventions and general business activity. Major capital investments in Zone 19 include eight new hotel projects in the St. John’s area (NLDOF 2013).

Zone 20 includes the Southern Shore located south of St. John’s to Trepassey and to the east side of St. Mary’s Bay. Many people from Southern Shore communities commute to the St. John’s area and elsewhere on a daily basis. Within Zone 20, six seafood processors are located on the Southern Shore and one is on St. Mary’s Bay (ASP 2013; DFA 2013). An offshore oil and gas service base is located in Bay Bulls. is a top tourism destination, and the area also provides whale watching boat tours and sea kayaking adventures (NL Tourism 2013). No major capital projects are currently taking place in Zone 20 (NLDOF 2013).

4.3.3.2 Employment and Business

Employment and unemployment rates in Eastern Newfoundland vary according to the economic base in the given area (Table 4.107), with larger, regional centres typically having higher employment levels than more rural areas. Economic Zone 19, which includes the capital city of St. John’s and the Northeast Avalon, has the highest employment rate in Eastern Newfoundland. With a diversified economy, this area has a variety of employment opportunities in government agencies, post-secondary educational institutions, health care facilities, tourism, agriculture, the commercial / retail sector and an international airport. In contrast, Economic Zone 18, which has the highest unemployment rate, is a rural region with a larger seasonal workforce (e.g. fishing, seafood processing, tourism) (NLSA 2013).

Table 4.107 Employment Characteristics, Eastern Newfoundland Economic Zone Labour Force* Participation Employment Unemployment Rate Rate Rate Zone 14: Gander-Fogo Island 25,140 70.1% 53.2% 24.1% Zone 15: Clarenville-Bonavista 15,320 69.3% 52.4% 24.3% Zone 16: Burin Peninsula 11,590 68.0% 50.5% 25.8% Zone 17: Conception Bay North- 21,320 67.9% 54.0% 20.5% Bay de Verde Zone 18: Whitbourne-St. Mary’s 3,860 67.8% 47.4% 29.9% Zone 19: Northeast Avalon 115,290 76.1% 68.4% 10.2% Zone 20: Southern Shore- 4,900 73.4% 55.9% 23.8% Trepassey Newfoundland and Labrador 248,685 72% 58.7% 18.5% *Labour force data is taken from 2010 statistics whereas other data used in this table are derived from the 2006 census. Source: NLSA (2013)

The majority of the residents of Eastern Newfoundland are employed in occupations related to sales and services. Larger retail businesses and government services in regional service centres also contribute to occupations in this sector. Jobs associated with construction also account for a large share of employment throughout Eastern Newfoundland (NLSA 2013) (Table 4.108).

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Table 4.108 Labour Force by Occupation, Eastern Newfoundland (2006) Occupation / Sector (Select) Zone Zone Zone Zone Zone Zone Zone Province 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Health 925 475 350 910 155 6,395 180 13,320 Education 820 485 455 715 130 5,545 185 12,270 Primary industries 2,705 1,544 1,405 1,585 505 2,075 585 20,415 Sales and Services 6,155 3,305 2,750 4,625 750 26,195 860 70,465 Management 1,350 800 475 975 265 9,705 225 19,740 Office related 2,240 1,510 945 1,855 385 20,665 535 38,485 Construction related 4,375 2,945 1,985 4,140 785 12,265 975 44,300 Processing and Manufacturing 1,865 1,725 1,440 2,395 205 2,690 565 17,540 All Occupations 20,435 12,789 9,805 17,200 3,180 85,535 4,110 267,175 Source: NLSA (2013)

Income levels in Eastern Newfoundland are generally below the provincial average (Table 4.109), with the exception of the Northeast Avalon (Economic Zone 19) where the economy provides a wider variety of employment opportunities.

Table 4.109 Median Gross Annual Per Capita Income, Eastern Newfoundland (2010) Economic Zone Median Annual Per Capita Income Zone 14: Gander-Fogo Island $25,000 Zone 15: Clarenville-Bonavista $25,300 Zone 16: Burin Peninsula $26,000 Zone 17: Conception Bay North-Bay de Verde $24,500 Zone 18: Whitbourne-St. Mary’s $26,800 Zone 19: Northeast Avalon $33,700 Zone 20: Southern Shore-Trepassey $27,900 Province of Newfoundland and Labrador $28,900 Source: NLSA (2013)

Eastern Newfoundland (Economic Zones 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20) has nearly 12,000 businesses (Table 4.110) (NLSA 2013). Over half of these enterprises are located in Economic Zone 19, which includes the Northeast Avalon.

Table 4.110 Number of Businesses by Economic Zone, Eastern Newfoundland (2011) Economic Zone Number of Businesses Percentage of Total Zone 14: Gander-Fogo Island 1,574 9.3% Zone 15: Clarenville-Bonavista 1,008 5.9% Zone 16: Burin Peninsula 598 3.5% Zone 17: Conception Bay North-Bay de 1,128 6.7% Verde Zone 18: Whitbourne-St. Mary’s 198 1.2% Zone 19: Northeast Avalon 6,876 40.6% Zone 20: Southern Shore-Trepassey 242 1.4% Total 11,624 68.6% Source: NLSA (2013)

Over 60 percent of businesses in Eastern Newfoundland provide services (e.g. retail, health care and social, construction, accommodations and food services and other services). Although the number of

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 320 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment firms remained fairly consistent between 2000 and 2011, this is accounted for primarily by growth in the “other services,” “construction,” “professional, scientific and technical services” categories (Table 4.111). Otherwise, the number of enterprises in all categories has declined. Notable areas of decline are health care and social assistance, manufacturing and retail (NLDOF 2013).

Table 4.111 Number of Businesses by Type, Eastern Newfoundland (2000 and 2011) Industry Sector 2000 2011 +/- Change (2000 to 2011) Mining and oil and gas extraction 43 43 - Utilities 6 7 +1 Other services (except public 1,237 1,848 +611 administration) Real estate and rental leasing 345 426 +81 Construction 1,320 1,581 +261 Management of companies and 105 104 -1 enterprises Public administration 290 285 -5 Finance and insurance 304 261 -43 Administrative and support, waste 418 426 +8 management and remediation services Professional, scientific, technical services 703 868 +165 Information and cultural industries 119 93 -26 Educational services 159 109 -50 Arts, entertainment and recreation 261 217 -44 Wholesale trade 652 503 -149 Transportation and warehousing 550 421 -129 Health care and social assistance 1,600 1,296 -304 Accommodation and food services 872 826 -46 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 359 280 -79 Manufacturing 566 336 -230 Retail trade 1,847 1,649 -198 Total 10,519 11,579 +1,060 Source: NLSA (2013)

Although the overall number of businesses has increased (Table 4.112), the number of employees per business in the region has declined somewhat. This may indicate a degree of consolidation among firms, or the closure of some businesses and growth of others. The number of businesses with between five and 19 employees increased between 2000 and 2011, and there are few businesses with more than 500 employees in Eastern Newfoundland.

Table 4.112 Number of Businesses by Employment, Eastern Newfoundland Employment Size Range Number of Businesses 2000 2011 1 to 4 employees 7,173 6,310 5 to 19 employees 3,245 3,914 20 to 99 employees 1,100 1,088 100 to 499 employees 191 168 500 + employees 47 30 Source: NLSA (2013)

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4.3.3.3 Housing

The housing market is directly shaped and influenced by the economy and other associated factors such as population change. The population of Newfoundland and Labrador has been growing slowly except in large and mid-sized municipalities or areas that are otherwise regional service centres.

Due to the strength of the economy, which is mainly driven by energy, mining and other private sector activity, home (single family houses, multiple units and row houses) construction and sales have seen unprecedented and sustained growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. Recently, the number of new housing starts, as well as prices, has decreased. However, this decline has been occurring much slower than in the other Atlantic Provinces (CMHC 2013).

In the third quarter of 2013, new home starts in the St. John’s Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) decreased by 23 percent compared to the same period in 2012. However, smaller centres such as Corner Brook, Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor, reported a higher number of new starts than in the same period in the previous year (CMHC 2013).

The number of homes sold in Newfoundland and Labrador during the third quarter of 2013 was also 23 percent below that of the same period in 2012. However, the price of houses sold in the province increased by eight percent overall (CMHC 2013). Rising housing prices are also related to increases in the costs of labour and materials as well as the number of large high-end homes and condominiums.

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4.3.4 Marine Fisheries

The following sections give an overview of marine fisheries and related activities within and around the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area, with a key focus on commercial fisheries, as well as describing any relevant aquaculture and recreational fishing activity in or near the region. There are no known Aboriginal fisheries that occur within the SEA Study Area itself.

4.3.4.1 Data Areas and Sources

Two regulatory jurisdictions related to marine fish and fisheries exist within the SEA Study Area. The Government of Canada has jurisdiction over fish stocks and fishing activities within a 200 nautical mile limit and for benthic invertebrates (such as crab) across the entire continental shelf. Beyond that 200 mile limit, the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) manages groundfish activities and other resources (such as corals, for example).

For administrative purposes, the Northwest Atlantic is divided into a series of NAFO Divisions, Subdivisions and Unit Areas (Figures 4.115 and 4.116), which are generally used to regulate and describe fishing activity throughout Eastern Canada. The SEA Study Area overlaps with a number of NAFO Divisions and Unit Areas, and although it does not correspond directly with any particular such zones, various combinations of these are used in this section to describe fishing activity in and around the region. The NAFO Divisions and Unit Areas that encompass most of the SEA Study Area are:

a) NAFO Division 3k: Unit Areas 3Kc, 3Kf, 3Kg, 3Kk

b) NAFO Division 3L: Unit Areas 3Lc, 3Ld, 3Le, 3Lg, 3Lh, 3Li, 3Ls, 3Lr, 3Lt

c) NAFO Division 3M: Unit Areas 3Ma, 3Mb, 3Mc, 3Md, 3Mm

d) NAFO Division 3N: Unit Areas 3Na, 3Nb, 3Nc, 3Nd, 3Ne, 3Nf, 3Nn

Commercial fish landings (weight and landed value) information for each of these NAFO Unit Areas is presented in the following sections for the period 2008 – 2012, and was provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Statistical Services in Ottawa, ON. The DFO datasets record domestic and foreign fish harvests that are landed in Canada.

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Figure 4.115 NAFO Divisions and Subdivisions

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Figure 4.116 NAFO Unit Areas Within and Adjacent to the SEA Study Area

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Fish landings by weight are reported in the Tables that follow in their original units (kg), although the text and associated graphs describe fish quantities in tonnes. The landed value is the value of the catch “at the wharf”, generally the price paid to the harvesting sector. It does not include or reflect, for instance, the “downstream” indirect or induced economic benefits of the fish harvest, during or after processing or other value-added manufacturing of fish products.

Mapping (geospatial) information on the location and timing of fishing activity was also provided by DFO Statistical Services in Ottawa, ON. In doing so, DFO has indicated that, in the interests of protecting commercially sensitive and/or personal information on fish harvesters, it is no longer able to provide specific locations (coordinates) for commercial fishing activity. Instead, DFO provides aggregated data sets which give a general indication of fishing areas (by species, gear types, fleet and other pre-determined categories and data classes) for defined geographic areas (in this case, for a series of “cells” that are approximately 6 x 4 nautical miles in size that together comprise a map grid that covers the area of interest).

The fishing activity maps that are included in these SEA sections generally indicate where and when fishing activity was recorded (at one or more locations) within a pre-determined grid block, but do not indicate the total amount or intensity of fishing effort or the amount of fish harvested (quantity / value) from a particular location. As has traditionally been the case, the DFO mapping dataset is also not comprehensive and typically accounts for a portion of total fishing activity in a region (in terms of total weight and value), and does not include specific locational information for certain fisheries (particularly for inshore fisheries undertaken by smaller vessels, such as those for lobster). Therefore, while useful as a tool to measure the overall commercial fishing activity in the Atlantic region, it is not comprehensive enough to measure all indicators associated with every type of activity for each specific fishery.

The available information and associated mapping does, however, provide a general indication and overview of the nature and spatial and temporal distribution of commercial fishing activity within the region, at a level appropriate for SEA analysis and related planning. The various fisheries data sets referenced above were supplemented with other existing and available information related to fisheries in the area, including information received during the SEA consultation process (see Chapter 2 and Appendix A).

4.3.4.2 Commercial Fisheries

The fishing industry is an important and long-standing component of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy. In 2012, fish landings in the province totalled approximately 252,000 tonnes with a total landed value of nearly $575 million and a total production value of approximately $1 billion. The province’s fishing industry employed almost 20,000 persons in 2012, including 10,398 individuals working in fish harvesting and another 9,214 working in processing activities in the province’s over 120 licenced fish plants (NLDFA 2013c).

The following sections provide an overview of past and current commercial fishing activity in the Study Area (and particularly, for the NAFO Unit Areas described above). This begins with a brief overview of past fisheries and the general evolution of fishing activity in the region in past decades. This is followed by a description of the current commercial fishery, as reflected in the available fisheries data sets covering the period 2008 – 2012, for which both annual and multi-year (cumulative) information is provided in the text, tables and figures that follow. It should also be noted that reporting of fishing

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 326 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment information by NAFO Unit Areas in the DFO datasets used herein indicates the area in which fish is caught, rather than where it was landed.

Historical Overview

Early settlers along the eastern coast of Newfoundland came from Europe, primarily as participants in a seasonal fishery that focussed on groundfish, particularly Atlantic cod. This fishery provided a salted cod product to the global market by merchants who remained in home ports, most often in parts of England. Early harvesters in the 19th and 20th centuries were mainly independent, operating from small open boats based in their home communities. Fish processing consisted of families salting and drying the catch. Many harvesters also took part in the sealing industry during spring months. As settlement became more permanent for both harvesters and buyers, the merchants would outfit the harvester for the season on “credit” and then receive the catch as “payment” (MUN 1998).

The fishery remained the largest (and often, only) employer in coastal communities along the east coast of Newfoundland during the 20th century. After Confederation with Canada in 1949, markets for salt cod declined, while the global demand for frozen fish products increased. Long liners, freezer plants and trawlers all began to increase in numbers. Fish harvesting off Newfoundland and Labrador expanded into a global, industrialized industry involving both Canadian and foreign fleets. Canada declared a 200 mile limit in 1977 and took exclusive control over its coastal waters, including its fish stocks (MUN 1998), with an associated rapid expansion in the number of harvesters and allocations occurring during that time.

The cod fishery was halted in 1992 by a moratorium on the east coast of Canada as fish stocks had reached dangerously low levels. Landings of cod dropped from $134 million in 1990 to $50 million in 1992 (DFO 2013f). Although this moratorium was first thought to be short term in nature, another moratorium in 2003 was placed on the last remaining cod fishery after it was discovered cod stocks had not improved (DFO 2012c). This moratorium is still in place, although cod stocks have reportedly seen some improvement in certain locations, and small scale fisheries do take place in some areas.

Notwithstanding the decline of traditional groundfish harvests and their dominant position in the province’s fishing industry, the overall landed value of seafood products in Newfoundland and Labrador has, however, remained steady (and in fact, have actually increased) since the closures. Other species have since become the focus of harvesting activity, with snow crab and Northern shrimp having become the two most important species since the closure of the cod fishery (DFO 2013f) (see later Figures 4.119 and 4.120).

The first commercial snow crab landings in Newfoundland occurred during the late 1960s but the fishery gained an increased and significant economic importance after the collapse of the cod fishery. The landed value of snow crab in Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, increased from almost $13 million in 1992 to nearly $180 million in 2008. Many harvesters who now hold full time licenses for snow crab were issued the permits initially on a temporary basis in 1995. These temporary licenses were issued in response to the collapse of groundfish stocks (DFO 2010e).

Northern shrimp have been harvested beyond the 200 mile limit of Newfoundland and Labrador’s shores since the 1970s by factory freezer trawlers, but a further reliance on the stock has occurred since the cod moratorium with allocations almost doubling from 85,000 tonnes in 1998 to 160,000 tonnes in 2007 (Street 2011). Experimental licenses were issued in the mid- to late-1990s with

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 327 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment permanent licenses issued in 2007 to an inshore fleet. This fleet operates mainly in NAFO areas 2J3KL, of which 3KL are in, or adjacent to, the SEA Study Area. The landed value of the product has increased from $230 million in 1997 to $350 million in 2005 (DFO 2010d).

Commercial Fish Harvests (Quantities and Values)

The 2012 commercial fish harvest within the SEA Study Area (namely, the combined NAFO Unit Areas referenced above) totalled approximately 51,000 tonnes and had a landed value of over $163 million. Fish landings in that area over the past five year (2008 to 2012) period were at their lowest quantities in 2009, peaked at nearly 100,000 tonnes in 2008, and totalled approximately 363,000 tonnes over the entire period from 2008 to 2012. The landed value of fish harvested in the region during that time period ranged from approximately $116.1 million (in 2009) to over $205 million (in 2011) and totalled about $815.6 million over the 2008 – 2012 period.

Northern shrimp itself comprised approximately 54 percent of the total fish landings by weight in this region from 2008 – 2012, followed by queen / snow crab (32 percent) and turbot (five percent), with no other species accounting for greater than five percent of total landings by weight. In terms of landed value, queen / snow crab accounted for over half of the area’s fishery from 2008 to 2012 overall, followed by Northern shrimp (36 percent), turbot (seven percent), and others.

Table 4.113 Fish Harvests by Weight and Value (1990 – 2012) Year Weight (kg) Value ($) 1990 127,493,363 75,906,611 1991 113,302,434 68,015,776 1992 46,563,824 30,560,162 1993 39,786,580 46,136,345 1994 30,721,265 55,187,553 1995 36,508,595 99,778,684 1996 38,441,585 73,065,803 1997 41,095,480 66,387,779 1998 39,880,396 70,231,064 1999 56,629,512 142,812,731 2000 70,370,621 177,776,707 2001 64,194,156 136,067,441 2002 66,834,431 136,231,102 2003 89,553,237 193,642,522 2004 110,809,985 235,178,205 2005 104,651,280 173,525,386 2006 105,843,597 147,242,321 2007 94,685,888 173,341,470 2008 98,310,800 179,969,595 2009 63,068,504 116,094,428 2010 83,115,185 151,339,846 2011 67,802,241 205,068,262 2012 51,028,931 163,132,892

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Figure 4.117 Fish Harvests by Year by Weight (1990 – 2012) 140000

120000

100000

80000

60000 Weight (Tonnes)Weight 40000

20000

0

1994 1991 1992 1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 1990

Figure 4.118 Fish Harvests by Year by Value (1990 – 2012) 250,000,000

200,000,000

150,000,000

Value ($) Value 100,000,000

50,000,000

-

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 1990

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Figure 4.119 Fish Harvests by Weight by Species (2008 – 2012 Total)

1% 1%

1% 1% 1% 5% Northern Shrimp 4% Queen-Snow Crab Turbot- Flounder Groundfish, Unspecified 54% 32% Yellowtail Flounder Redfish Molluscs, Unspecified American Plaice Other Species

Table 4.114 Fish Harvests by Weight (kg) (2008 – 2012) Species 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total # Seal Pelts (All Years) American Plaice 61,1813 816,125 877,378 383,018 211,322 2,899,656 - Atlantic Halibut 32,886 92,450 124,316 60,167 144,303 454,122 - Capelin 22,514 17,229 165,042 204,785 - Cod 124,600 41,033 89,248 240,284 23,213 518,378 - Crustaceans, 639 639 - Unspecified Greysole-Witch 15,029 43,985 127,779 107,631 27,993 322,417 - Flounder Groundfish Heads 611,450 357,196 968,646 - Groundfish, 7,961,214 3,456,994 5,693 3,020,192 1,376,621 15,820,714 - Unspecified Haddock 473 22,260 33,618 56,351 - Molluscs, 10,181 1,134,365 974,480 995,608 16,907 3,131,541 - Unspecified Other Products, 42,473 427,514 423,539 2,759 896,285 - Unspecified Northern Shrimp 64,592,674 32,311,726 48,232,625 30,922,148 19,659,435 195,718,608 - Pelagics, Unspecified 34,089 126,052 103,263 36,594 299,998 - Queen-Snow Crab 22,811,032 20,563,750 22,622,955 25,004,838 24,923,067 115,925,642 - Redfish 13,003 32,681 170,911 2,016,792 983,739 3,217,126 - Roughhead 2,687 11,616 34,959 111,644 24,073 184,979 - Grenadier Seal Fat 59,980 59,980 - Skate 13,050 51,031 4,860 2,045 1,769 72,755

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Species 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total # Seal Pelts (All Years) Turbot-Greenland 1,997,191 4,029,762 3,568,294 4,186,784 3,048,710 16,830,741 - Flounder White Hake 3,515 12,560 16,075 - Yellowtail Flounder 5,697,276 5,697,276 - Seal Products, 28,947 28,947 - Unspecified Beater Harp Seal 58,587 Skins (#) Bedlamer Harp Seal 216 Skins (#) Ragged Jacket Harp 38 Seal Skins (#) Seal Flippers (#) 18,194 Seals, Unspecified 10,957 Seal Products, 2756 Unspecified Total 98,310,800 63,068,504 83,115,185 67,802,241 51,028,931 363,325,661 90,748

Figure 4.120 Fish Harvests by Value by Species (2008 – 2012 Total)

1%

7% 3%

Queen-Snow Crab Northern Shrimp 36% 53% Turbot-Greenland Flounder Groundfish, Unspecified Other Species

Table 4.115 Fish Harvests by Value ($) (2008 – 2012) Species 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total American Plaice 386,940 27,619 641,839 260,514 114,600 1,931,511 Atlantic Halibut 206,258 655,496 905,734 542,883 1,300,935 3,611,305 Capelin 5,753 2,659 35,294 43,706 Cod 188,719 44,651 92,410 278,626 25,937 630,342 Crustaceans, 508 508

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Species 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total Unspecified Greysole-Witch 12,135 38,089 90,879 94,512 27,373 262,988 Flounder Groundfish Heads 2,157,781 1,362,342 3,520,123 Groundfish, 4,991,762 2,080,051 5,323 1,902,234 720,817 9,700,187 Unspecified Haddock 454 17,536 32,752 50,741 Molluscs, Unspecified 14,175 1,590,231 1,259,619 1,286,879 26,899 4,177,803 Other Products, 113,791 1,671,014 1,425,664 11,013 3,221,481 Unspecified Northern Shrimp 91,489,040 35,568,286 64,070,026 60,162,423 39,399,719 290,689,495 Pelagics, Unspecified 64,380 52,105 129,689 55,207 301,382 Queen-Snow Crab 77,520,093 63,425,039 67,611,402 118,521,316 107,144,938 434,222,788 Redfish 7,167 23,979 112,613 972,222 780,740 1,896,721 Roughhead 1,248 7,646 22,321 34,989 8,422 74,626 Grenadier Seal Fat 23,697 23,697 Skate 5,031 12,786 1,165 505 708 20,195 Turbot-Greenland 3,127,475 10,313,022 11,918,229 18,679,924 11,958,817 55,997,466 Flounder White Hake 3,790 7,012 10,801 Yellowtail Flounder 3,105,969 3,105,969 Seal Products, 17,332 17,332 Unspecified Beater Harp Seal 1,859,000 1,859,000 Skins (#) Bedlamer Harp Seal 1,208 1,208 Skins (#) Ragged Jacket Harp 397 397 Seal Skins (#) Seal Flippers (#) 15,242 15,242 Seals, Unspecified 10 65,184 152,812 218,005 Total 179,969,595 116,094,428 151,339,846 205,068,262 163,132,892 815,605,022

Commercial Fish Harvests (Overall Geographic Distribution: 2008-2012)

The following Figures provide a general indication of the overall geographic distribution of commercial fishing activity within and adjacent to the SEA Study Area, initially for the year 2012 and then from 2008 to 2012 overall, for all species.

As indicated above, the information provided in these maps is based on the geospatial data received from DFO, and shows the general presence of recorded fishing activity for a series of 6 x 4 nautical mile “cells” that together comprise a map grid that covers the region. For the multi-year fishing maps, where fishing activity occurred within a single cell in two or more years, the Figure indicates only the most recent year in which fishing activity occurred within that cell. Individual maps showing overall fishing activity for each year from 2008 – 2011 are provided in Appendix C.

Further information on commercial fishing activity by month / season, gear type, fleet, species and other parameters is also provided.

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Figure 4.121 Commercial Fishing Locations: 2012

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Figure 4.122 Commercial Fishing Locations: 2008-2012

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Commercial Fishing - Seasonality

The timing of fishing activity varies by location and species, and is often dictated by such factors as weather and ice conditions, the availability of a resource in an area at a particular time, fisheries licencing and other regulatory and management considerations, as well as individual fishers’ harvesting plans and preferences.

Fishing activity in the NAFO Unit Areas that correspond generally to the SEA Study Area (as listed above) during the 2008 to 2012 period occurred throughout the year, with the highest landings by weight occurring in the summer (May - August) period, which also accounted for approximately 75 percent of the total value of fish harvested.

Table 4.116 Monthly Fish Harvests by Weight and Value (2008 – 2012 Inclusive) Month Weight (kg) Value ($) January 2,779,272 8,493,458 February 7,255,120 13,498,566 March 10,148,630 22,167,273 April 25,271,716 85,212,862 May 61,112,110 197,352,484 June 68,942,774 190,374,642 July 70,641,333 140,516,790 August 60,381,721 80,368,615 September 23,634,006 27,713,386 October 15,994,045 22,089,894 November 10,325,655 15,785,552 December 6,839,279 12,031,500 Total (All Months) 363,325,661 815,605,022

The Figures (maps) that follow also show the seasonal distribution (by quarter) of recorded fishing activity for 2012 and the period 2008 – 2012 overall. Monthly maps (for 2012 and the 2008-2012 period) are included in Appendix D.

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Figure 4.123 Monthly Fish Harvests by Weight (2008 – 2012) 80000

70000

60000

50000

40000

Weight (Tonnes)Weight 30000

20000

10000

0 J F M A M J J A S O N D

Figure 4.124 Monthly Fish Harvests by Value (2008 – 2012) 250,000,000

200,000,000

150,000,000

Value ($) Value 100,000,000

50,000,000

- J F M A M J J A S O N D

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Figure 4.125 Commercial Fishing Locations: January – March 2012

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Figure 4.126 Commercial Fishing Locations: April - June 2012

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Figure 4.127 Commercial Fishing Locations: July - September 2012

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Figure 4.128 Commercial Fishing Locations: October – December 2012

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Figure 4.129 Commercial Fishing Locations: January – March 2008-2012

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Figure 4.130 Commercial Fishing Locations: April - June 2008-2012

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Figure 4.131 Commercial Fishing Locations: July - September 2008-2012

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Figure 4.132 Commercial Fishing Locations: October – December 2008-2012

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Commercial Fishing – Gear Types

Various types of fishing gear are used to harvest fish and shellfish off Eastern Newfoundland and elsewhere in Atlantic Canada. Indeed, the available DFO data reflect that a range of fishing gear types were used as part of the commercial fishery within the SEA Study Area from 2008 to 2012. Of these, shrimp trawls accounted for approximately 54 percent of the total fish landings over that period by weight, followed by pots (32 percent), bottom otter trawls (10 percent) and others.

In terms of fishing gear types by landed value, pots used in the shellfish (especially crab) fisheries accounted for over half of the total value of the fishery in that area over that time period, followed by shrimp trawls (36 percent), bottom otter trawls (six percent), gillnets (four percent) and others.

Figure 4.133 Fish Harvests (Weight) by Gear Type (2008 – 2012 Total)

3% 1%

10% Shrimp Trawl Pot (Unspecified) 54% 32% Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern) Gillnet (set of fixed) Other and Unspecified

Table 4.117 Fish Harvests by Gear Type by Weight (kg) (2008 – 2012) Gear Type 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total Bottom Otter Trawl 8,775,863 6,011,847 8,521,335 7,957,652 3,889,682 35,156,379 (Stern) Shrimp Trawl 64,592,674 32,311,726 48,232,625 30,922,148 19,659,435 195,718,608 Gillnet (set of fixed) 1,986,200 2,796,484 2,491,419 2,758,098 2,159,667 12,191,868 Longline 162,470 144,075 306,545 Pot (Unspecified) 22,811,032 20,564,389 22,622,978 25,004,838 24,929,293 115,932,530 Hunting 59,980 59,980 Unspecified Gear 85,051 1,221,588 1,102,753 1,159,505 390,854 3,959,751 Total 98,310,800 63,068,504 83,115,185 67,802,241 51,028,931 363,325,661

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Figure 4.134 Fish Harvests (Value) by Gear Type (2008 – 2012 Total)

1%

6% 4%

Pot (Unspecified) Shrimp Trawl 36% 53% Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern) Gillnet (set of fixed) Unspecified and Other Gear

Table 4.118 Fish Harvests by Gear Type by Value ($) (2008 – 2012) Gear Type 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total Bottom Otter 5,729,342 10,000,987 12,259,566 14,853,039 8,121,119 50,964,053 Trawl (Stern) Shrimp Trawl 91,489,040 35,568,286 64,070,026 60,162,423 39,399,719 290,689,495 Gillnet (set of 3,094,770 4,512,432 5,188,692 9,643,368 6,924,270 29,363,531 fixed) Longline 714,027 890,746 1,604,773 Pot (Unspecified) 77,520,093 63,425,547 67,611,425 118,521,316 107,153,799 434,232,179 Hunting 1,899,555 1,899,555 Unspecified Gear 236,796 1,873,150 1,319,391 1,888,115 1,533,985 6,851,436 Total 179,969,595 116,094,428 151,339,846 205,068,262 163,132,892 815,605,022

The following Figures illustrate the general distribution of 2012 commercial fishing activity within and adjacent to the SEA Study Area by gear type. Maps illustrating commercial fishing activity by vessel size (length class) are provided in Appendix E.

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Figure 4.135 Commercial Fishing Locations by Gear Type (2012)

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Commercial Fishing Locations by Gear Type (2012) - Continued

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Figure 4.136 Commercial Fishing – Fixed Gear Types (2008 - 2012)

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Figure 4.137 Commercial Fishing – Mobile Gear Types (2008 - 2012)

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Principal Species Fisheries

A summary of several key fisheries in the region is provided below, focussing upon those species that have comprised a significant proportion of recent activity (in terms of landed weight and/or value), as derived from the fisheries statistics provided by DFO.

Table 4.119 Overview of Key Fisheries Queen-Snow Crab 2012 Harvest 24,923 tonnes, $107.1 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 115,926 tonnes, $434.2 million Key Fishing Months / Season April-June Main Gear Type(s) Crab Pot Northern Shrimp 2012 Harvest 19,659 tonnes, $39.4 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 195,719 tonnes, $290.7 million Key Fishing Months / Season May-August Main Gear Type(s) Shrimp Trawl Turbot-Greenland Flounder 2012 Harvest 3,049 tonnes, $12.0 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 16,831 tonnes, $56.0 million Key Fishing Months / Season June-August Main Gear Type(s) Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern); Gillnet Groundfish, Unspecified 2012 Harvest 1,377 tonnes, $0.7 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 15,821 tonnes, $9.7 million Key Fishing Months / Season Variable Main Gear Type(s) Variable Molluscs, Unspecified 2012 Harvest 17 tonnes, $0.03 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 3,132 tonnes, $4.2 million Key Fishing Months / Season Variable Main Gear Type(s) Variable Groundfish Heads 2012 Harvest 357 tonnes, $1.4 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 969 tonnes, $3.5 million Key Fishing Months / Season December Main Gear Type(s) Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern) Yellowtail Flounder 2012 Harvest 0 tonnes, $0 2008-2012 Total Harvest 5,697 tonnes, $3.1 million Key Fishing Months / Season June Main Gear Type(s) Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern) American Plaice 2012 Harvest 211 tonnes, $0.1 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 2,900 tonnes, $1.9 million Key Fishing Months / Season June, November - December Main Gear Type(s) Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern); Gillnet Redfish 2012 Harvest 984 tonnes, $0.8 million 2008-2012 Total Harvest 3,217 tonnes, $1.9 million Key Fishing Months / Season June - August Main Gear Type(s) Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern); Gillnet

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Figures 4.138 to 4.144 illustrate the distribution of recorded commercial fishing activity for each of the above species (where available) within and adjacent to the SEA Study Area by season for 2012. Similar information for these and other select species (based on fishing presence and data availability) for all of the years from 2008 - 2012 combined is provided in the maps included as Appendix F.

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Figure 4.138 Fishing Locations by Season – Queen-Snow Crab (2012)

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Figure 4.139 Fishing Locations by Season – Northern Shrimp (2012)

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Figure 4.140 Fishing Locations by Season – Turbot-Greenland Halibut (2012)

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Figure 4.141 Fishing Locations by Season – Groundfish Heads (2012)

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Figure 4.142 Fishing Locations by Season – Yellowtail Flounder (2012)

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Figure 4.143 Fishing Locations by Season – American Plaice (2012)

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Figure 4.144 Fishing Locations by Season – Redfish (2012)

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Fishing Activity by Foreign Countries

There are multiple regulatory jurisdictions that pertain to marine fish and fisheries within the SEA Study Area. The Government of Canada has jurisdiction over fish stocks and fishing activities within the 200 nautical mile limit and for benthic invertebrates (such as crab) across the entire continental shelf, with NAFO managing groundfish activities and other resources beyond that 200 mile limit (NAFO 2013a). NAFO current manages 19 commercial stocks consisting of 11 species, and reports that in 2011 there were vessels from 13 flag states fishing in the Northwest Atlantic (NAFO 2013b).

The preceding analysis has described recent commercial fishing activity within the various NAFO Unit Areas that occur completely or partially within the SEA Study Area. This analysis has been based on commercial fish landings (weight and landed value) and location information for the period 2008 – 2012, which was provided by DFO Statistical Services in Ottawa, ON. As indicated, the DFO datasets record domestic and foreign fish harvests that are landed in Canada only.

Given its location in the Northwest Atlantic and the variety and abundance of marine fish species that occur throughout the region, the waters off Eastern Newfoundland have long been subject to commercial fishing activity by the fleets of a number of countries. Although the specific participants in, and nature of (species, locations, timing, gear) such international fishing activity has inevitably evolved and changed over time, there continues to be considerable non-Canadian fishing activity that occurs within and near the SEA Study Area. Much of this fishing activity is, for the reasons outlined above, not likely to be reflected in the available DFO fisheries databases as presented in the preceding sections. Other, detailed information on the nature and scope of foreign fishing in the NAFO managed areas beyond the 200 mile limit, is, however, not readily available for use in the SEA, particularly at the level of detail and in the same formats as that obtained from DFO for fish landed in Canadian ports.

A general indication of this non-Canadian fishing activity for recent years can be obtained through data available under the FishStatJ program, which were identified and provided by DFO as the most detailed and accurate database available on international fishing activity in this region, as well as through NAFO’s STATLANT21A database which provides fishing information NAFO Division. The most recent information provided by these databases are from 2012, including fish harvest data by country (flag state), species, year and general fishing area. Data are available for the overall NAFO Divisions, of which 3KLMN overlap with (but extend beyond) the SEA Study Area. Table 4.120 provides a summary of international fishing activity in these NAFO Divisions in recent years.

Table 4.120 International Fishing Activity by NAFO Division (tonnes) (2008 – 2012) NAFO Division 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total 3K 0 1 1 208 0 210 3L 14,606 14,822 9,442 12,949 11,902 63,721 3M 25,554 18,132 20,514 24,732 26,583 115,515 3N 10,318 6,996 12,424 11,467 12,753 53,958 Total 50,478 39,951 42,381 49,356 51,238 233,404 Source: NAFO (2013c)

Table 4.121 summarizes the four most commonly harvested species by country in the Northwest Atlantic over the period of 2008 – 2012. Although other fish species are harvested in relatively small quantities, Northern shrimp, Greenland halibut, Atlantic cod and Atlantic redfish are the four species that have been harvested in the greatest volume, by the greatest number of international fleets in the

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Northwest Atlantic in recent years. Other commercially important species harvested by international fleets include queen / snow crab, a number of species of tuna, shark, flounders, rays and seals.

Northern Shrimp: International harvests of Northern shrimp in NAFO Divisions 3KLMN were on a steady decline between 2008 and 2012, decreasing by almost 17,000 tonnes over this period. Harvesters from the Faroe Islands and Estonia have remained the most frequent harvesters of shrimp in these areas. The majority of international harvesting for Northern shrimp occurs in Divisions 3L and 3M, with shrimp from NAFO 3K harvested primarily by fleets from Newfoundland and Labrador and . Small harvests were taken from 2K by Denmark in 2008-2009 (NAFO 2013c).

Greenland Halibut: Harvests of Greenland halibut in the area remained somewhat steady from 2008 – 2012. Spain, Russia and continue to be the most frequent harvesters of this species in NAFO areas 3LMN, whereas in 3K this species is harvested solely by fleets from Atlantic Canada (NAFO 2013c).

Atlantic Cod: There has been a considerable increase in the harvest of Atlantic cod in NAFO 3KLMN from 2008 – 2011, with a recent small drop in 2012. Portugal, the Faroe Islands and Spain are the most frequent harvesters of Atlantic cod in the area, whereas in 3K this species is generally harvested by fleets from Atlantic Canada (NAFO 2013c).

Atlantic Redfish: Redfish continue to be a relatively heavily fished species by international fleets in the region. Catches have increased since 2008, and remained relatively steady in recent years. Portugal and Russia are key fishers of Atlantic redfish in the area, with stocks in NAFO 3K again being harvested primarily if not exclusively by domestic, Atlantic Canadian fleets (NAFO 2013c).

Table 4.121 Fish Harvests for Select Species in NAFO Divisions 3KLMN by Country (tonnes, 2008-2012) Country 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Northern Shrimp Denmark 488 532 536 208 Estonia 11,269 1,607 1,209 1,248 919 Faroe Islands 3,462 2,949 2,503 1,446 1,037 Germany 301 Iceland 184 126 Latvia 1,562 330 384 325 134 Lithuania 763 Norway 606 664 320 Portugal 329 15 5 Russia 299 335 28 Spain 654 272 347 292 34 St. Pierre and 278 334 334 Miquelon (France) United States 334 Total 19,381 7,352 6,194 3,946 2,129

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Country 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Greenland Halibut Cuba 54 3 Estonia 299 299 441 278 265 Faroe Islands 215 206 211 221 147 Japan 1,219 Latvia 14 Lithuania 6 25 39 206 Norway 2 Portugal 1,964 1,806 2,250 2,491 1,969 Russia 1,543 1,615 1,514 1,626 1,543 Spain 4,592 4,505 4,550 4,667 4,667 St. Pierre and 199 192 116 243 198 Miquelon (France) Total 10,037 8,623 9,109 9,633 8,998 Atlantic Cod Cuba 200 209 Estonia 69 122 91 98 56 Faroe Islands 25 1,185 2,238 2,049 Japan 24 Latvia 3 Lithuania 3 63 47 59 Norway 514 1,301 809 Portugal 300 925 1,426 2,642 2,867 Russia 88 94 403 764 815 Spain 235 325 1,388 2,058 1,917 St. Pierre and 19 11 204 154 Miquelon (France) United Kingdom 761 1,063 868 Total 738 1,491 5,842 10,615 9,806 Atlantic Redfish Cuba 1,169 734 Estonia 962 1,648 1,237 953 187 Faroe Islands 215 1 141 425 179 Japan 632 Latvia 58 71 Lithuania 377 759 463 Portugal 3,918 5,089 6,688 5,977 5,300

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Country 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Russia 1,233 1,654 3,299 Spain 1,277 925 1,011 379 821 St. Pierre and 17 76 38 Miquelon (France) United Kingdom 1 2 5 Total 8,254 7,721 11,109 9,811 11,026 Source: NAFO (2013c)

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Sealing

The seal harvest has been and remains an important source of income for commercial fishers in Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere, contributing as much as 25 to 35 percent of fishers’ annual incomes in many communities (NLDFA 2013a). Since its inception in the early 1800s as a source of oil, the hunt subsequently evolved into a diverse product industry. Six species of seals (harp, hooded, grey, ringed, bearded and harbour) are commonly found along the coasts of Atlantic Canada. Harp, grey and hooded seals are harvested to produce leather, handicrafts, oil and meat for human and animal consumption (DFO 2011c).

The total value of seal landings in Canada has decreased since 2006, when it was valued at more than $34 million and sealers received more than $100 per pelt. The industry has experienced significant declines in both the quantity of and prices for harvested pelts, the latter being driven by changing global demand for seal products (DFO 2011c).The value of the harvest remained considerably low in 2010 ($1.3 million) with pelt prices of approximately $20. Due to concerted marketing efforts and new market development, there was a modest increase in pelt prices ($32.50 / pelt) in 2013 (D. Dakins, pers comm. 2013).

The Canadian seal harvest is managed by DFO, under Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations. An Integrated Management Plan is updated annually with input from DFO’s Science Branch. Provincial Fisheries Departments and seal harvesters’ organizations. The seal quota is allocated to provincially- based fleets in accordance with historical landings. DFO issues an average of 16,000 seal harvester licenses annually in Atlantic Canada and 12,500 licensed harvesters reside in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is estimated that only 390 hunters participated in the 2010 Atlantic Canadian hunt, due primarily to weak markets and poor ice conditions. Many harvesters continue to renew their licenses in anticipation of improved markets and a desire to remain active in the seal hunt (DFO 2011c).

In Atlantic Canada, harp seals are concentrated primarily off Southern Labrador, the Gulf of St. Lawrence area and off Northern Newfoundland. Grey seals are found mostly off Northern Labrador and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy. Hooded seals are located off the coast of Northeast Newfoundland, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in the Davis Strait area (DFO 2011c).

Harp seals are the principal focus for the commercial Newfoundland and Labrador harvest. Approximately 70 percent of the Canadian seal harvest occurs in an area known as “the Front” which receives an allocation of over 65 percent of Canada’s total harp seal quota. Since 2005, there has been significant growth in overall seal populations at the Front. The harp seal population has nearly tripled in size – from less than two million animals in the 1970s to a current estimate of more than seven million (DFO 2011c).

The Eastern Newfoundland harvest commences at The Front around the second week of April. The Front quota includes hunting in four Sealing Zones: 5, 6, 7 and 8, which are all adjacent to the Eastern Newfoundland coastline and located partially in the SEA Study Area (Figure 4.145). Eastern Newfoundland is home to historically important seal landing ports. However, there has been relatively little activity in recent years for the reasons outlined above.

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Figure 4.145 Eastern Newfoundland Seal Harvesting Zones

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4.3.4.3 Aquaculture

Aquaculture has become an increasingly important component of Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishing industry and economy. Seafood production from this sector has increased steadily in recent years, from fewer than 1,000 tonnes and less than $8 million in value in 1995 to more than 17,000 tonnes and a value of more than $120 million in 2011. The primary fish species farmed in Newfoundland and Labrador are blue mussels, Atlantic salmon and steelhead trout (NLDFA 2013b). At present, aquaculture sites are located primarily around Bay D’Espoir, the Connaigre Peninsula and Notre Dame Bay. Smaller numbers of sites are located near St. Anthony and in Placentia Bay, Trinity Bay and Bonavista Bay.

There are various existing aquaculture sites in Eastern Newfoundland (and specifically, within Economic Zones 14 to 20) (Table 4.122, Figure 4.146). These include blue mussel farms in Burnt Arm North, St. Croix Bay, Crawley’s Island, Cap Cove, Little Indian Cove, Northwest Arm, Big Island, Coal All Island and Merasheen Island. There are also Atlantic cod hatcheries at Ship Cove, Princeton, Jerseyman Island, Bay Bulls, Square Cliff and Aspen Cove. A rainbow trout hatchery is located on the Holyrood Access Road (T. Budgell, pers comm 2013).

Table 4.122 Eastern Newfoundland Aquaculture Operations Operator Location Description International Enterprises Ltd. Burnt Arm North, Goshen’s Blue mussel farming facility Arm Joseph Keating (Baie Sea Farms St. Croix Bay Blue mussel farming facility Ltd.) Joseph Keating (Baie Sea Farms Crawley’s Island Blue mussel farming facility Ltd.) Nfld. Game Fish Protection Society Murray’s Pond Rainbow trout hatchery Ltd. Claude Seaward Ship Cove, Heart’s Ease Atlantic cod grow-out facility Inlet, TB Robert Power Holyrood Access Road Rainbow trout hatchery Merasheen Mussel Farms Inc. Merasheen Island Blue mussel and oyster farming facility Shells and Fins Incorporated Cap Cove, Lockston Blue mussel farming facility Gerald Prince Princeton, Bonavista Bay Atlantic cod grow-out facility Merasheen Mussel Farms Inc. Big South West Cove, Blue mussel farming facility Merasheen Island Notre Dame Bay Mussel Farms Inc. Little Indian Cove Blue mussel farming facility Shells and Fins Incorporated Northwest Arm, Trinity Bay Blue mussel farming facility Bernard Norman Jerseyman Island, Atlantic cod grow-out facility Placentia Bay Sapphire Sea Farms Ltd. Bay Bulls Atlantic cod grow-out facility Claude Seaward Square Cliff, Atlantic cod grow-out facility Heart’s Ease Inlet Paul, Wilson and Everett Watton Aspen Cove Atlantic cod grow-out facility Cross Bay Mussel Farms Ltd. Big Island, Notre Dame Bay Blue mussel farming facility Atlantic Pacific Trading Inc. Coal All Island Blue mussel farming facility Source: T. Budgell, pers comm. (2013)

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Figure 4.146 Eastern Newfoundland Aquaculture Sites

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4.3.4.4 Recreational Fisheries

In Newfoundland and Labrador, recreational fishing may take place in coastal and inland waters. For specified periods during the summer and fall, residents and non-residents are permitted to participate (with licences or tags not being required) in a recreational / food fishery for groundfish. The sale of catch from the recreational fishery is not permitted and commercial fishing operations are not allowed to participate (DFO 2013g).

Table 4.123 Eastern Newfoundland Recreational Groundfish Fishery (2013) Species Season(s) Individual Retention Limit Boat Retention Limit Groundfish (with  July 20- 5 groundfish (including cod) 15 groundfish when 3 or more some fish prohibited) August 11 per fisher per day persons are fishing in one boat  September (including tour boats) 21-29 Source: DFO (2013h)

Smelt angling in coastal waters is permitted throughout the year, and there is no bag limit or possession limit for this species. Angling in coastal waters for salmon and trout is also permitted according to applicable regulations and guidelines (DFO 2013h).

Newfoundland and Labrador has 186 scheduled salmon rivers. These rivers are subject to specific angling (fly fishing) regulations and requirements, which vary depending on the river, with special management measures applied to some rivers or sections of rivers. The 2013 angling season for scheduled salmon rivers in Eastern Newfoundland was from June 1 to September 7. Fall angling occurred on the Gander River from September 8 to October 7. More than 55 scheduled salmon rivers are located in Eastern Newfoundland within Economic Zones 14 to 20, an area that extends from the Lewisporte area to the west side of Placentia Bay (DFO 2013h).

4.3.5 Other Human Activities

A number of other human activities and components occur within or near the marine environment, and therefore have the potential to interact with, and be affected by, future offshore oil and gas activities in the SEA Study Area. This overview focuses primarily upon the area of the Eastern Newfoundland coastline nearest to the SEA Study Area, generally corresponding with Economic Zones 14 to 20 as described in Section 4.3.1.

Data and information were obtained from Canadian government departments and agencies such as Statistics Canada, Transport Canada, DFO / Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Forces. Provincial government sources include the Departments of Transportation and Works, Environment and Conservation, Tourism, Culture and Recreation and Finance. In addition, information was obtained from the websites of various other agencies and groups including the St. John’s Port Authority, Marine Atlantic, Greg’s Cables, Cruise NL, Propel Research, Imperial Oil, Irving Oil, MI Swaco, A. Harvey and Company Ltd., North Atlantic Refining Ltd and Oceanex, as referenced below.

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4.3.5.1 Marine Shipping and Transportation

Marine shipping and transportation have played an important role in the location and activities of coastal communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Traditionally, small to medium sized vessels transported goods and people to and from coastal communities. Currently, the road system is the primary mode of transportation, and marine shipping is limited mainly to sea ports with the required infrastructure and services for larger vessels. Ferries move people and goods between Newfoundland and and to islands and other communities that are not connected by road.

Harbours are regulated under federal jurisdiction of Canada’s Navigable Waters Protection Act and Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act. DFO, through Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS), provides communications and traffic management services in certain Canadian ports.

The Eastern Newfoundland region has 17 shipping ports, of which St. John’s has the most diverse shipping activity and industrial infrastructure (Figure 4.147). Nine of these ports (Argentia, Bay Roberts, Come By Chance, Holyrood, Lewisporte, Long Pond, Marystown, St. John’s and Newfoundland Offshore (St. John’s) have both domestic and international shipping activity, four (Fortune, Harbour Grace, Long Harbour and Bay Bulls) are used for international shipping, and four (Arnold’s Cove, Carmanville, Catalina, Clarenville) have domestic shipping only. Smaller harbours are maintained primarily for fishing and recreational activities.

Come By Chance and Fortune are also key international shipping ports in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fortune is the Newfoundland port of entry / exit for the nearby French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and Come By Chance has a large number of shipping movements associated with the transfer of petroleum products.

Table 4.124 summarizes international cargo shipping to and from Eastern Newfoundland ports, which represents approximately 12 percent of the total marine shipping conducted to and from Newfoundland and Labrador ports (Statistics Canada 2013b).

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Figure 4.147 Marine Shipping in Eastern Newfoundland

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Table 4.124 International Shipping in Eastern Newfoundland (2011) Selected Ports Ballast Cargo Total Number of Gross Net Number of Gross Net Tonnage Movements Tonnage Tonnage Movements Tonnage Tonnage Handled (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) Argentia 37 235.4 103.6 74 541.7 247.0 45.0 Bay Roberts 3 18.0 9.0 4 20.2 10.0 4.0 Come By 210 10,703.3 5,705.7 223 11,027.3 5,863.1 14,911.1 Chance Fortune 736 155.6 56.6 336 30.7 11.2 7.0 Newfoundland 7 547.6 276.2 12 924.0 438.1 1,272.0 Offshore (St. John’s) Harbour Grace 9 39.1 18.3 13 44.7 20.0 8.8 Holyrood 8 202.9 87.6 8 202.9 87.6 246.3 Lewisporte 8 185.4 80.8 7 147.7 66.2 114.7 Long Harbour 16 43.4 16.5 4 29.7 12.0 1.8 Long Pond 2 15.8 7.1 2 15.8 7.1 15.9 Marystown 2 1.0 0.3 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 St. John’s 43 701.1 364.7 6 42.1 20.7 8.1 Bay Bulls 8 51.3 23.5 9 59.4 26 19.3 Total 1,089 12,899.9 6,749.9 698 13,086.2 6,809 16,654 Source: Statistics Canada (2013b)

Annually, Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador ports experience a larger number of domestic shipping movements than international movements (Table 4.125). Domestic activity includes a large amount of shipping attributed to Eastern Newfoundland’s offshore oil and gas industry. Placentia Bay, in particular, sees substantial oil tanker traffic each year along with other marine activities at several zones of convergence. The potential for, and possible effects of, an associated oil spill or other accidental event in the Bay has been identified as a concern (Transport Canada 2007).

Table 4.125 Domestic Shipping in Eastern Newfoundland (2011) Selected Ports Ballast Cargo Total Number of Gross Net Number of Gross Net Tonnage Movements Tonnage Tonnage Movements Tonnage Tonnage Handled (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) Argentia 28 148.2 75.5 16 97.5 58.4 35.9 Arnold’s Cove 1 0.8 0.4 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Bay Roberts 5 54.9 24.0 4 52.6 23.0 49.3 Carmanville 3 13.3 8.7 3 13.3 8.7 15.1 Catalina 1 4.4 2.9 1 4.4 2.9 3.4 Clarenville 14 385.4 162.6 14 385.4 162.6 513.8 Come By 143 9,784.8 5,018.9 131 9,045.0 4,614.1 12,476.5 Chance Newfoundland 138 10,621.2 5,455.0 1,268 13,707.6 6,338.1 12,391.4 Offshore (St. John’s) Holyrood 8 4.0 1.2 4 28.6 16.9 18.0 Lewisporte 64 424.4 199.8 35 151.8 69.9 150.4 Long Pond 49 325.7 164.9 40 215.2 134.3 229.9 Marystown 5 6.0 3.3 1 4.4 2.9 6.8

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Selected Ports Ballast Cargo Total Number of Gross Net Number of Gross Net Tonnage Movements Tonnage Tonnage Movements Tonnage Tonnage Handled (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) (‘000 t) St. John’s 62 968.0 406.5 1,527 10,593.3 3,547.7 1,357.7 Total 521 22,741.1 11,523.7 3,044 34,299.1 14,979.5 27,248.2 Source: Statistics Canada (2013b)

St. John’s

St. John’s Harbour, operated by the St. John’s Port Authority, is one of a series of Canada Port Authorities, meaning it has been deemed to be an important Canadian port for domestic and international shipping (Westac 1999; TC 2013). The Port of St. John’s is the busiest of the domestic shipping ports, the key characteristics and capacity of which are summarized in Tables 4.126 and 4.127.

Table 4.126 St. John’s Port Capacity Parameter Details Berthage / Length 45-180 m Deck Elevation 3 m Minimum Dockside Depth 6 m Channel Width 91 m Channel Depth 11.8 m Tidal Range 1.38 m (spring) Source: J. McGrath, pers. comm. (2013)

Table 4.127 St. John’s Port Berthage by Pier Pier Number Berthage Length 1 175 m 2 165 m 3 180 m 4 120 m 5 160 m 6 150 m 7 100 m 8 150 m 9 150 m 10 150 m 11 180 m 18 45 m 19 115 m 20 162 m 21 58 m Source: J. McGrath, pers. comm. (2013)

The Port of St. John’s is an important centre of activity for a number of industries. It is the primary supply center for the offshore oil and gas industry in Atlantic Canada, as well as an important container terminal and a fishing port. Other activities include Canadian Coast Guard communications operations, fuel wholesale, military activity by the Department of National Defence, ship repair and refitting,

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 372 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment industrial fabrication, oil and gas research and seafood unloading. Some of the key industrial operators that utilize the Port of St. John’s are listed in Table 4.128.

Table 4.128 Industrial Marine Activity in St. John’s Harbour Company Activities Mobil Oil Canada Oil and gas exploration and development DFO / Canadian Coast Guard Regional operations centre for the Canadian Coast Guard Imperial Oil Limited Oil and gas exploration and development Irving Oil Limited Wholesale fuels A. Harvey and Company Limited Logistic services to the offshore oil and gas industry, trucking services Department of National Defence Military Activity NewDock / St. John’s Dockyard Ship repair / refit, offshore services, industrial fabrication Suncor Oil and gas exploration and production MI Swaco Oil and gas exploration and production Oceanex Container shipping DWI Services Limited Offloading in-season seafood catch from vessels, ice supply Propel Research Oil and gas research Sources: SJPA (2013a); NewDock (2013); Suncor (2013); A. Harvey and Company Limited (2013); Irving Oil Limited (2013); MI Swaco (2013); Imperial Oil Limited (2013); PR (2013); CCG (2013a)

Oceanex offers two direct weekly connections from St. John’s to Montreal and Halifax, year round. The company operates two ice-class, roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels and one ice-class container vessel out of St. John’s (SJPA 2013b). Offshore oil and gas exploration is ongoing, as is production from the Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose Projects (SJPA 2013c).

Come By Chance

The Port of Come By Chance, operated by North Atlantic Refining Ltd., is the second-busiest domestic shipping port in the Eastern Newfoundland due to the movement of oil and gas products. The Come By Chance refinery is one of the largest in , with 500 employees producing 115,000 barrels per day. The refinery produces gasoline, ultra low sulphur diesel, stove oil, #6 oil, arctic fuel, bunker c, furnace oil, jet fuel, marine diesel and propane (NARL 2013).

Small Craft Harbours

As many Eastern Newfoundland coastal communities have traditional fishing economies, a large number of small harbours exist throughout the region. These harbours may have some level of fishing as well as recreational boating and marine tourism.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, a total of 264 harbours are operated by 214 Harbour Authorities, a large number of which are located in Eastern Newfoundland (Table 4.129). Core fishing harbours, owned by DFO and managed by Harbour Authorities, are critical to the fishing and aquaculture industries (Figure 4.148). Non-core harbours may have some level of fishing (D. Boutilier, pers. comm. 2013). As well as the transhipment of fish and seafood products, small craft harbours are often used extensively for recreational boating and marine tourism activities.

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Table 4.129 Eastern Newfoundland Harbour Authorities and Core Fishing Harbours Harbour Authorities Managed Harbours Admiral’s Beach Admiral’s Beach Aquaforte Arnold’s Cove Arnold’s Cove, Isle Valen, Tack’s Beach Baine Harbour and Rushoon Baine Harbour, Rushoon Bauline Bay Bulls Bay Bulls Bay de Verde Bay de Verde Bay Roberts Bay Roberts Bonaventures New Bonaventure, Old Bonventure Bonavista Bonavista Branch Branch Brigus Brigus Brigus South Burin Burin Calvert Calvert Canning’s Cove Canning’s Cove Cape Freels Cape Freels North Carbonear Carbonear Carmanville Carmanville Catalina Catalina Champney’s West and Trinity East Champney’s West, Trinity East Chance Cove Change Islands Change Islands Comfort Cove Comfort Cove Conception Harbour Cupids Cupids Davis Cove Davis Cove, Monkstown Dildo Dildo, Dildo South Duntara, Keels and King’s Cove Duntara, Keels, King’s Cove English Harbour East English Harbour East Fair Haven Fair Haven / Fermeuse, Port Kirwan Ferryland Ferryland Flatrock Flatrock Fogo Island Deep Bay, Fogo, Joe Batt’s Arm, Seldom Come By, Tilting Fort Amherst Small Boat Basin St. John’s (Prosser’s Rock) Fortune Fortune Fox Harbour Fox Harbour Foxtrap Foxtrap Frenchman’s Cove Frenchman’s Cove Garden Cove Garden Cove Garnish Garnish Glovertown Glovertown Gooseberry Cove Gooseberry Cove Grand Bank Grand Bank Grand le Pierre Grand le Pierre Grates Cove Grates Cove Green’s Harbour Green’s Harbour

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Harbour Authorities Managed Harbours Greenspond Greenspond Hant’s Harbour Hant’s Harbour Happy Adventure Happy Adventure Harbour Mille Harbour Mille Heart’s Content Heart’s Content Heart’s Delight-Islington Heart’s Delight, Islington Herring Neck Herring Neck Holyrood-Harbour Main Harbour Main, Holyrood Indian Bay Centreville Ladle Cove-Aspen Cove Aspen Cove, Ladle Cove Lamaline Lamaline, Point Crewe Leading Tickles Leading Tickles West Little Burnt Bay Little Burnt Bay Little Harbour East Little Harbour East Little Heart’s Ease Little Heart’s Ease Long Cove Long Cove Lord’s Cove Lord’s Cove Lower Island Cove Lower Island Cove Lumsden Lumsden Mount Arlington Heights Long Harbour (Mount Arlington Heights) Musgrave Harbour Musgrave Harbour New Harbour, T.B. Hopeall, New Harbour Newmans Cove Newmans Cove Newtown Newtown North Harbour North Harbour (Placentia Bay) O’Donnell’s O’Donnell’s Old Perlican Petit Forte Petit Forte Petty Harbour Petty Harbour Placentia Area Jerseyside Plate Cove Plate Cove West Point au Gaul Point au Gaul Port de Grave Hibb’s Cove, Port de Grave, Ship Cove (Conception Bay) Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s Portugal Cove, St. Philip’s Pouch Cove Princeton Princeton Random Island Hickman’s Harbour, Lower Lance Cove Red Harbour Red Harbour Red Head Cove Red Head Cove Renews Renews Riverhead Riverhead Salvage Salvage Ship Harbour Ship Harbour Sibley’s Cove Sibley’s Cove South East Bight South East Bight Southern Harbour Southport Southport St. Bernard;s St. Bernard’s St. Brendan’s St. Brendan’s (Shoal Cove and Dock Cove)

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Harbour Authorities Managed Harbours St. Bride’s St. Bride’s St. Lawrence St. Lawrence St. Mary’s St. Mary’s St. Vincent’s Bragg’s Island, Dover Summerford Summerford Summerville Summerville Sunnyside Sunnyside Sweet Bay Sweet Bay Tickle Cove and Open Hall Open Hall, Tickle Cove Trepassey Trepassey Twillingate Jenkin’s Cove, Twillingate (Shoal Tickle) Upper Island Cove Valleyfield-Badger’s Quay-Pool’s Island Valleyfield Wesleyville Wesleyville Western Bay-Jobs Cove Job’s Cove, Ochre Pit Cove Whiteway Whiteway Winterton Winterton Witless Bay Source: D. Boutilier, pers. comm. (2013)

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Figure 4.148 Eastern Newfoundland Small Craft Harbours

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4.3.5.2 Ferry Services

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Transportation and Works operates and/or administers the provincial ferry system. This service delivers passengers and freight to remote coastal communities that are not connected by road (NLDTW 2013). Four ferry services operate in the Eastern Newfoundland region (Tables 4.130 and 4.131).

Table 4.130 Eastern Newfoundland Ferry Services Ferry Route Operated By Farewell - Change Islands / Fogo Island Department of Transportation and Works Burnside - St. Brendan’s Department of Transportation and Works Portugal Cove - Bell Island Department of Transportation and Works Southeast Bight and Petit Forte Department of Transportation and Works Source: NLDTW (2013)

Table 4.131 Eastern Newfoundland Ferry Activity Service Year Passengers Passenger Vehicles Commercial Vehicles Farewell - Fogo 2010/11 165,299 76,162 4,944 Island / Change 2011/12 165,568 82,315 4,690 Islands 2012/13 166,396 77,896 4,463 Burnside - St. 2010/11 14,327 7,313 233 Brendan’s 2011/12 17,572 8,624 193 2012/13 18,040 8,993 188 Portugal Cove-Bell 2010/11 530,147 239,944 4,991 Island 2011/12 516,388 236,293 5,289 2012/13 533,353 242,796 5,317 Southeast Bight - 2010/11 7,713 NA* NA* Petit Forte 2011/12 7,711 2012/13 7,676 Source: K. Martin, pers. comm. (2013) *The Southeast Bight to Petit Forte ferry does not take vehicle traffic

The interprovincial ferry service provides access to North Sydney, Nova Scotia from Port aux Basques year round and through Argentia from spring to fall. The Argentia ferry operates two to three times per week (MAI 2013). Most activity on the Argentia to North Sydney ferry is passenger traffic with between 24,000 and 31,000 passengers and approximately 10,000 to 13,000 passenger vehicles annually (Table 4.132). Commercial traffic includes tractor trailers moving goods between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Table 4.132 Argentia / North Sydney Ferry Activity Season Passengers Passenger Vehicles Commercial Vehicles 2008 (May 3 – October 7) 26,700 10,673 401 2009 (May 3 – October 7) 29,196 12,231 739 2010 (May 3 – October 7) 24,392 10,293 742 2011 (May 3 – October 7) 30,999 13,067 778 2012 (May 3 – October 7) 25,473 11,079 887 Source: K. Guiney, pers. comm. (2013)

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4.3.5.3 Marine Traffic Management

Marine Communications and Traffic Service (MCTS) Centres are located in St. John’s and Argentia. These centres are responsible for detecting marine distress situations and ensuring assistance is available. They broadcast safety information, direct and provide advice to marine traffic, ensure ports and traffic movements are efficient and optimized and assist in the operations of pilots (CCG 2013b). Vessel traffic separation zones are maintained in Placentia Bay and around St. John’s harbour (Figure 4.149). The region also has a large number of navigational buoys, lights and fog signals.

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Figure 4.149 Marine Traffic Management in Eastern Newfoundland

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4.3.5.4 Marine Cables

Marine cables are laid on the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean. Ten marine cables transect the SEA Study Area (Figure 4.150) (Mahlknecht 2013), several of which have multiple lines associated with them (Table 4.133). One of these is inactive and three are currently under development.

Table 4.133 Marine Cables Name Connecting Capacity (G) Distance In Service # of Lines (km) CANTAT-3 Canada, UK, 7.5 NA 1994-2010 1 Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Faroe Islands FLAG Atlantic USA, UK, France 4,800 14,500 1997 2 (FA-1) AC-1 USA, UK, 120 14,000 1999 1 Netherlands, Germany AC-2 USA, UK 640 6,400 2000 2 TGN Atlantic USA, UK 5,120 12,935 2001 2 TAT-14 USA, UK, France, 3,200 15,428 2001 2 Netherlands, Germany, Denmark Hibernia-Atlantic Canada, USA, 1,920 13,2000 2001 2 , UK Apollo USA, UK, France 40,000 NA 2014 1 WASACE USA, France 40,000 NA 2014 1 Emerald Express Canada, USA, UK, 40,000 5,200 2014 1 Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal Sources: Mahlknecht, G. (2013); Submarine Cable Networks (n.d.); Wasace Cable Company (n.d.); Emerald Networks (2012)

One existing and one future marine cable are located near, but outside of, the SEA Study Area (Mahlknecht 2013). A portion of the Greenland Connect submarine communications cable system has a landing point in Milton, Newfoundland, but it is outside of the SEA Study Area. The future Arctic Fiber cable system will intersect near Clarenville but it will also be outside of the SEA Study Area (Figure 4.150).

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Figure 4.150 Marine Cables in and Near the SEA Study Area

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4.3.5.5 Unexploded Ordnances and Legacy Sites

Many locations across Canada have been used for military operations, training and weapons testing in the past. Wartime action along Canada's coasts and incidents involving ships, planes or vehicles carrying ammunition and explosives have also created legacy sites at which unexploded ordnance (UXO) may still remain today. A UXO legacy site is any property that was owned, leased or used by DND but no longer resides within DND's inventory and for which there exists a UXO risk associated with past Departmental activities. UXO shipwrecks are sites of known shipwrecks containing unexploded munitions. Several hundred UXO legacy sites are known to exist at locations spread across Canada's land mass. In addition, 1,100 sites are known to exist off Canada's east coast, with 26 more on the Pacific coast (DND 2013c).

DND’s UXO and Legacy Sites Program was established in 2005, with the objective of reducing safety risks posed by UXO at all legacy sites across Canada. The program identifies and catalogues such sites, assesses risks, and works to reduce UXO risk through property controls, assessment surveys, UXO clearance operations, and public education. At some sites where the potential risk is great, public safety must be ensured by restricting access to the sites. In other locations where the risk is minimal, signage and information campaigns to alert the public to potential hazards may be the preferred action (DND 2013c).

Various known UXO legacy sites and shipwrecks exist within the NL Offshore Area, including locations within the SEA Study Area (Figure 4.151). The majority of these sites are shipwrecks (Table 4.134). An explosive dumpsite also exists in offshore Newfoundland (J. Kearney, pers. comm. 2013).

Table 4.134 UXOs and Legacy Sites Site or Vessel Name Type U-520 Submarine Legacy Site U-658 Submarine Legacy Site Friar Rock Shipwreck Empire Celt Shipwreck Flynderborg Shipwreck Gretavale Shipwreck Broompark Shipwreck Arnish Shipwreck Balsam Lake Shipwreck Capitao Jose Vilareinho Shipwreck Diana Shipwreck Edward A. Cohan Shipwreck Empire Soldier Shipwreck Gigantic Shipwreck J. B. Kitchen Shipwreck Jean M. Madelin Shipwreck King Malcolm Shipwreck Magnhild Shipwreck Mount Mycale Shipwreck

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Site or Vessel Name Type Nokomis Shipwreck R. Bowers Shipwreck Rosland Shipwreck Royal Edward Shipwreck Thomas King Shipwreck W. T. White Shipwreck Source: J. Kearney, pers. comm. (2013)

4.3.5.6 Military Activities

Under the National Defence Act, DND is responsible for several military and civilian organizations and agencies. DND oversees national security, including the defence and protection of Canada’s marine jurisdiction. To meet national security obligations, Canada’s Royal Navy and Air Force operate routine surveillance and monitoring operations throughout Atlantic Canadian waters, often with associated training operations. As a result, DND may operate aircraft or marine patrols in the region. In some instances naval frigates or coastal patrol vessels may operate training or other naval operations in the SEA Study Area. Navy vessels also sometimes provide support to DFO in conducting fishery patrols in Atlantic Canada, including the coastal waters of Newfoundland. Civilian security operations are conducted by the Canadian Coast Guard (DND 2013b, DND 2013c, CCG 2013a, RCN 2013).

The Canadian Armed Forces assist with Search and Rescue activities. Operations include aeronautical search and rescue, medical evacuations, ground search and rescue and provision of equipment and services to other humanitarian response efforts. The Canadian Rangers, reserve members of the Canadian Armed Forces, are active members in ground search and rescue operations in rural areas (DND 2013b).

The Royal Canadian Navy reservist fleet HMCS Cabot operates out of St. John’s, NL. This fleet includes reservists who lead civilian lives as well as military careers. The fleet is mainly responsible for coastal surveillance and patrol, including search and rescue, law enforcement and natural resource protection (including fisheries resources) (RCN 2013).

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Figure 4.151 UXO and Legacy Sites

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4.3.5.7 Tourism and Recreation

The tourism industry, a key component of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, has grown and evolved considerably in recent years. The tourism sector includes both residents who travel within the province and non-residents who visit the province, which together resulted in an estimated $1 billion in spending in 2012 (NLDTCR 2013). The resident market continues to be a substantial contributor to the province’s tourism sector, representing nearly 60 percent of total tourism spending in 2011. In 2012 the number of non-resident visitors increased by 9.9 percent over 2011 to 504,400 (NLDOF 2013). Eastern Newfoundland has a number of key tourism attractions, including provincial and national sites that protect and exhibit key areas of ecological, natural heritage, cultural and / or recreational importance. This region also has a large number of cultural and heritage attractions that commemorate important people, places and events. These are mainly museums and interpretation centres with various themes. Annual festivals celebrate seasonal activities (e.g. winter activities or summer / fall harvests), provide cultural enrichment (e.g. music, theatre), celebrate seasonal foods (e.g. berries, lobster, crab) or provide community events such as come-home-years. Musical festivals draw large numbers of people (NLT 2013a). Eleven golf courses are located in the Eastern Newfoundland region and the White Hills ski area is located near Clarenville (NLT 2013b).

In Eastern Newfoundland, tourism generally occurs within a four-month period (June to September) with the peak months being July and August. The exceptions are business and convention travel and winter activities such as those undertaken at the White Hills Ski Resort. Related infrastructure and facilities are also well developed in the region.

The following sections further describe select coastal and marine-based tourism areas and activities in Eastern Newfoundland (Figure 4.152). The tourism industry relies, at least in part, on the existence and nature of coastal communities, the availability of fresh seafood and opportunities to view wildlife and participate in marine-based activities such as boat tours and sea kayaking.

Eastern Newfoundland’s tourist attractions include national and provincial coastal parks (as described in Section 4.2.4) and marine-based activities (as well as inland areas and land-based activities). Provincial and National Parks provide important recreational opportunities, as do other beaches and coastal areas.

Eastern Newfoundland has many kilometres of coastline and marine-based recreational activities occur on the open ocean and in sheltered bays. For many tourists, taking a boat tour and viewing marine life are essential parts of any trip to Newfoundland and Labrador. Businesses offer ocean adventures and marine related activities such as sea kayaking for residents and tourists. Eastern Newfoundland has a variety of marine-based tourism activities (Figure 4.152). These are clustered in three main areas: 1) the Twillingate / Fogo Island region; 2) Terra Nova National Park; and 3) the Southern Shore (Bay Bulls / Witless Bay / Mobile). Boat tours and sea kayaking are among the most commonly offered activities (Table 4.135).

Table 4.135 Eastern Newfoundland Marine Tours and Activities (Select, Illustrative Examples) Operator Location Activities Ocean Treasures Adventures Lewisporte Catamaran boat tours Choice Adventures Comfort Cove Boat tours Whales and Birds Inc. Birchy Bay Sea kayaking, sail boat and motor boat tours Captain Dave’s Fishing and Personalized Tours Twillingate Boat tours

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Operator Location Activities Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours Twillingate Boat tours Skipper Jim Boat Tours Twillingate Boat tours Twillingate Adventure Tours Twillingate Boat tours Twillingate Island Boat Tours Twillingate Boat tours Fogo Island Heritage Boat Tours Joe Batt’s Arm Boat tours Burnside Heritage Foundation, Archeological Boat Burnside Boat tours Tours Coastal Connections Terra Nova Park Boat tours Atlantic Adventures Boat Tours Trinity Boat tours Sea of Whales Adventures Trinity Boat tours Trinity Eco Tours Trinity Sea kayaking, SCUBA diving and Zodiac boat tours Rugged Beauty Boat Tours New Boat tours Bonaventure Lancaster Boat Tours Bonavista Boat tours Newfoundland Coastal Safari Harbour Mille Sea kayaking Dildo Island Adventure Tours Dildo Boat tours Sail Newfoundland Avondale Sail boat tours Ocean Quest Adventures Long Pond Sea kayaking, SCUBA diving and snorkelling Adventure Newfoundland St. John’s Boat tours Dee Jay Charters Boat Tour St. John’s Boat tours Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours St. John’s Boat tours Captain Wayne’s Marine Excursions Bay Bulls Boat tours Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch Bay Bulls Catamaran boat tours Mullowney’s Puffin and Whale Tours Bay Bulls Boat tours O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours Bay Bulls Boat tours The Outfitters Adventures Bay Bulls Sea Kayaking Eco Tours – Witless Bay Wonders Witless Bay Zodiac boat tours Molly Bawn Whale and Puffn Tours Mobile Boat tours Colbert’s Puffin and Whale Tours Bauline East Boat tours Stan Cook Sea Kayaking Sea kayaking Source: NLT (2013c)

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Figure 4.152 Some Select Eastern Newfoundland Marine-Based Tourism Activities

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Cruise Ship Activity

Each year from May to October, Newfoundland and Labrador ports are visited by large cruise ships on trans-Atlantic routes or small ships that tour the Province, the Maritimes and/or Quebec. In 2013, 20 cruise ships visited 23 Newfoundland and Labrador ports bringing a total of 10,533 passengers (Cruise NL 2013). In Eastern Newfoundland, St. John’s is the main port-of-call (Table 4.136), and September is the busiest month for cruise ships.

Table 4.136 Eastern Newfoundland Cruise Ship Activity (2013) Port(s) Date Ship Itinerary Passengers St. John’s May 8 Silver Whisper Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA to 358 Southhampton, UK St. John’s May 30 Crystal Atlantic Canada 402 Symphony St. John’s July 20 Akademik loffe Supply stop enroute to 0 Greenland St. John’s July 24 MS Delphin Greenland and 394 southeastern Canada St. John’s Aug. 14 Veendam Boston to Viking areas (e.g. 1,252 Newfoundland, Iceland, Norway) St. John’s Aug. 19 Amadea Canada and Greenland 573 St. John’s Sept. 1 Astor Canada and Greenland 360 St. John’s Sept. 7 National Greenland, Baffin Island, 294 Geographic Newfoundland and Explorer Labrador Eastern Newfoundland Sept. 8 National Canadian Maritimes 156 Geographic Explorer St. John’s Sept. 8 Eurodam Baltic and Viking areas 1,913 St. John’s Sept. 11 Caribbean Iceland, Greenland, British 2,973 Princess Iles St. John’s Sept. 14 National Canadian Maritimes 150 Geographic Explorer Terra Nova Sept. 17 Sea Adventurer Newfoundland 125 National Park Circumnavigation St. John’s Sept. 18 Sea Adventurer Greenland, Labrador, 250 Newfoundland St. John’s Sept. 18 AIDAbella Trans-Atlantic 1,974 Tilting, Fogo Island Sept. 19 Sea Adventurer Newfoundland 129 Circumnavigation St. John’s Sept. 27 Sea Adventurer Newfoundland 129 Circumnavigation St. John’s Oct. 7 Carnival Legend Trans-Atlantic 2,089 Source: Cruise NL (2013)

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Coastal Trails

Eastern Newfoundland has a number of hiking trails. located primarily in coastal areas (Table 4.137).

Table 4.137 Eastern Newfoundland Coastal Trails (Select and Illustrative Examples) Identified Coastal Trails Location Codjacks Cove Trail Twillingate French Beach Trail Twillingate Lower Little Harbour Trail Twillingate Sleepy Cove Trail Twillingate Spencer’s Park Trail Twillingate Fogo Walking Trails Fogo Island Tilting Walking / Hiking Trails Fogo Island Island Harbour Hiking Trails Fogo Island The Old Trails Eastport Peninsula Terra Nova National Park Trails Newman’s Sound, Bonavista Bay Fort (Admiral’s) Point Trinity British Harbour Trail New Bonaventure Skerwink Trail Trinity East Fox Island Trail Champney’s West Marine Hike Grand Bank Bordeaux Walking Trail Arnold’s Cove Truce Sound Coastal Trail and Peace Garden Sunnyside Ocean View Hiking Trail Long Cove Bay Roberts East Shoreline Trail Bay Roberts-Mad Rock and French’s Cove Newfoundland Coastal Walking Topsail Natural Walking Trails Bell Island -Biscan Bay Path Cape St. Francis to Pouch Cove East Coast Trail-Stiles Cove Path Pouch Cove to Flatrock East Coast Trail-Cobbler Path Torbay Point to Logy Bay East Coast Trail-Sugarloaf Path Logy Bay to Village East Coast Trail-Deadman’s Bay Path Fort Amherst to Blackhead North Head Trail Signal Hill East Coast Trail-Blackhead Path Blackhead to East Coast Trail-Cape Spear Path Cape Spear to Maddox Cove East Coast Trail-Motion Path Petty Harbour to Shoal Bay Road East Coast Trail-Mickeleens Path Bay Bulls to Witless Bay East Coast Trail-Spout Path Bay Bulls to Shoal Bay East Coast Trail-Beaches Path Witless Bay to Mobile East Coast Trail-Tinkers Point Path Mobile to Tors Cove East Coast Trail-La Manche Village Path La Manche Provincial Park East Coast Trail-Flamber Head Path La Manche village to Brigus South East Coast Trail-Brigus Head Path Brigus South to Admiral’s Cove East Coast Trail-Cape Broyle Head Path Cape Broyle to Calvert East Coast Trail-Sounding Hills Path Ferryland to Aquaforte East Coast Trail-Mudder Wet Path Aquaforte East Coast Trail-Spurwink Island Path Aquaforte to Port Kirwin East Coast Trail-Bear Cove Point Path Kingman’s Cove to Renews East Coast Trail-Island Meadow Path Renews to Cappahayden Hare Hill Hiking Trail St. Mary’s Source: NLT (2013d)

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The East Coast Trail extends along the east coast of the from Cape St. Francis to Cappahayden. This 275 km system of hiking trails links to 32 communities that have a variety of services and accommodations (NLT 2013d).

Marinas

There are also a number of marinas located throughout coastal Newfoundland and Labrador, including at the following locations in Eastern Newfoundland (NLT 2013e; Bruce, D and D n.d.):

 Lewisporte  Seldom Harbour  Musgrave Harbour  Terra Nova National Park  Bonavista  Trinity Harbour  Clarenville  Old Perlican  Harbour Grace  Bonavista  Port de Grave  Bay Roberts  Holyrood (2 marinas)  Long Pond  St. John’s  Fortune  Grand Bank

Beaches

Recreational beaches are also found throughout Eastern Newfoundland (Table 4.138), some of which are located in coastal parks.

Table 4.138 Eastern Newfoundland Beaches (Select and Illustrative Examples) Identified Beaches Location Musgrave Harbour Beach Musgrave Harbour Eastport Beaches Eastport Peninsula Golden Sands Amusement Park Marystown Sands Salmon Cove Northern Bay Sands Northern Bay Rotary Topsail Beach Topsail Middle Cove Beach Middle Cove St. Vincent’s Beach St. Vincent’s Source: NLT (2013b)

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Coastal Bird Watching

Eastern Newfoundland also has a number of noteworthy bird habitats, including coastal sites, that may be used for bird watching. These areas may be completely or partially protected by federal (i.e. Terra Nova National Park) or provincial parks and protected areas (i.e. Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, Ecological Reserve, Funk Island Ecological Reserve, Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and Lawn Islands Archipelago Provisional Ecological Reserve), which may or may not permit human access. Protected areas and identified sensitive marine bird habitats (that may be used for bird watching) are also discussed in Section 4.2.2.

Table 4.139 Coastal Bird Watching Areas Identified Bird Areas Description / Key Features Location Deadman’s Bay  Shorebirds Lumsden Provincial Park Funk Island  More than one million common murres in largest East of Fogo Ecological Reserve colony of common murre in the western North Atlantic Island Lawn Islands Archipelago  Seabirds, only breeding colony of Manx shearwater in 3 islands off Provisional Ecological North America Lawn Reserve Cape St. Mary’s  Many seabirds including the 2nd largest nesting Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve colony of gannets in Newfoundland and 3rd largest in North America Baccalieu Island  11 seabird species breed on the island including over Off Bay de Verde Ecological Reserve 300 million pairs of Leach’s Strom petrels (world’s largest) Witless Bay  Millions of seabirds including puffins 4 small islands off Ecological Reserve Witless Bay Source: NLT (2013b); NLDEC (2013a)

4.3.5.8 Other Current or Traditional Uses of the Marine and Coastal Environments

In Canada, bird hunting is permitted under the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations. Environment Canada provides annual hunting regulations, including season dates and bag limits, for each province and territory (CWS 2013). The particular species hunted in marine and inland areas differ by province, region and habitat type. Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador hunt various migratory bird species in marine and inland areas. These birds (including species of waterfowl and murres) have long been an important source of food in traditional diets.

The SEA Study Area is nearest to the Northeastern Coastal and Avalon – Burin Coastal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Zones, as well as Murre Hunting Zones 2, 3 and 4 (Figure 4.153, NLDEC 2013b). Table 4.140 summarizes the bag and possession limits for coastal areas in Eastern Newfoundland. There is no spring / summer bird hunting season and birds are hunted in fall and winter, from October to March (NLDEC 2013b; CWS 2013).

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Table 4.140 Waterfowl and Murre Hunting (2013-2014) Species Management Spring / Fall / Winter Seasons Bag and Possession Areas Summer Limits* Seasons Waterfowl Ducks Northeastern No season November 23, 2013 to Ducks (6 daily, 18 including Coastal / Avalon February 28, 2014 possession with other Mergansers, – Burin Coastal limitations) Geese and Snipe Mergansers (6 daily, 12 possession) Geese (5 daily, 10 possession) Snipe (10 daily, 20 possession) Waterfowl Long- 4th Saturday in 6 daily, 12 possession tailed Ducks, November to last day Eiders and in February Scoters Murre (Turr) Hunting Zone 2 October 6, 2013 to 20 per hunter per day / 40 January 20, 2014 per hunter at any one time Hunting Zone 3 November 25, 2013 to March 10, 2014 Hunting Zone 4 November 3, 2013 to January 10, 2014 / February 2 to March 10, 2014 Source: NLDEC (2013b), CWS (2013)

Eastern Newfoundland residents and visitors also gather shellfish such as mussels in coastal areas, but specific and detailed information is not available on where, when and how much is harvested.

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Figure 4.153 Eastern Newfoundland Waterfowl and Murre Hunting Areas

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5 ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS, MITIGATION AND PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

This Chapter provides an identification and analysis of potential environmental issues and effects, mitigation measures and planning considerations related to possible future offshore oil and gas activities in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area. Each VEC is addressed in a separate section, which includes a discussion of:

 Potential environmental interactions, existing knowledge and standard mitigation measures which may be applied to offshore oil and gas activities to avoid or reduce adverse environmental effects; and

 Identified environmental planning and management considerations, as well as a discussion of any further activity, site or time-specific mitigation measures which may be required or appropriate.

The SEA also describes potential cumulative environmental effects which may result from future offshore oil and gas activities in combination with each other and with other projects and activities in the region, as well as associated planning and/or regulatory considerations to help avoid or reduce such effects. It concludes with an evaluation of the availability and adequacy of existing environmental baseline information and any relevant data gaps and requirements, as well as possible opportunities to address these in the future.

5.1 Fish and Fish Habitat (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)

An overview of marine fish species in the SEA Study Area was provided in Chapter 4. This included information on their life histories, habitat preferences and reproduction patterns and practices, as well as known fish presence and abundance, spatial and temporal distribution and movements within the SEA Study Area. This VEC includes relevant fish species, as well as plankton, algae, benthos, plant communities and other aspects of fish and their habitats, given the clear interrelationships between these ecological components. This information has been used to assess and evaluate the key potential interactions of this VEC with possible future offshore oil and gas activities in the area. Where relevant, differences between these components and their potential interactions with offshore oil and gas activities are also highlighted.

5.1.1 Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects

The potential environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine fish and their habitats may be both direct and indirect in nature, and can include the following:

 Possible injury or mortality due to exposure to underwater sounds such as seismic signals at very close range (particularly immobile species);

 Fish and invertebrate displacement through the avoidance of certain areas that would otherwise be used (such as insonified areas during seismic surveys, drilling activity, vessel traffic), with these behavioural effects altering the presence and abundance of marine fish, as well as potentially disturbing their movements / migration (to and through the area), feeding and other important activities;

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 Interference with (and the masking of) sounds within the marine environment that originate from and/or are used by marine fish, such as in communication, the identification and detection of prey and other activities and requirements;

 Potential contamination of fish and invertebrates and their habitats due to environmental discharges during planned and routine oil and gas exploration or production activities;

 Possible destruction or other alteration of fish habitats due to the discharge and deposition of drill cuttings, placement of other project infrastructure or activities, accidental spills or possibly the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species;

 The attraction of fish to project installations and vessels, resulting in increased potential for injury, contamination or other interactions;

 Possible changes in the availability, distribution or quality of feed sources and/or habitats for fish and invertebrates as a result of planned oil and gas activities; and

 Changes in the presence, abundance, distribution and/or health of fish and invertebrates as a result accidental spills from offshore exploration or production installations or vessels (through physical exposure, ingestion, effects on prey and habitats, etc).

Table 5.1 provides a summary overview of the key potential environmental interactions between marine fish and fish habitat and various types of offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities. This includes summarizing some examples of existing information and knowledge that is provided through the literature and other relevant sources regarding these potential issues and effects. The intent is to generally and briefly reference and highlight some of this available information and its main findings as well as any areas of on-going uncertainty, in order to generally inform the analyses. A more detailed review and discussion of this literature and other relevant information is provided in other sources.

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Table 5.1 Fish and Fish Habitat (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Potential Environmental Interactions Components Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects / Activities Interactions Based on Available Information Sources SEISMIC SURVEYS  Avoidance of areas during  A considerable amount of research has been conducted on the effects of offshore seismic Air Gun and/or following seismic surveys (of various types and intensities) on marine fish. This has included scientific research, Operations surveys monitoring studies and anecdotal reports of observed reactions (see DFO 2004 for a review).  The possible effects on this VEC resulting from sound in the marine environment due to  Possible injury or mortality offshore seismic surveys may be behavioural (avoidance, other changes in distribution or activities) or involve injury to or mortality of individual fish.  Immediate behavioural reactions to exposure to seismic sound have been widely documented in marine organisms (DFO 2004).  The available literature indicates that when exposed to an operating air-gun, mobile marine fish may exhibit a range of responses, including: no change in behaviour (eg, Pickett et al 1994; Wardle et al 2001; Andriguetto-Filho et al 2005), temporary avoidance of the area for a period (eg, McCauley et al 2000a, 2000b), and other behaviours such as swimming to deeper depths, milling in compact schools or becoming more active (eg, Slotte et al 2004).  Behavioural and physiological responses vary by species and with the seismic array used. For example, deep water species and those lacking swim bladders (e.g. Greenland halibut) may be less vulnerable to effects from seismic activities (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  Most of the sound energy produced by an airgun array is in the range of 10-300 hertz (Hz), with highest levels at frequencies of less than 100 Hz (see Chapter 3). Airgun emission frequencies therefore fall within the hearing band of most fish species, and could therefore be audible, and these may affect fish behaviour at distances where levels are sufficiently high.  Although effect threshold levels (ETLs) have not been definitively defined for all fish species and circumstances, a review by Turnpenny and Nedwell (1994), for example, indicated that studies have shown ETLs for fish behavioural reactions to airgun noise ranging from 160 – 188 dB re 1 µPa.  Depending on airgun source levels and accounting for sound spreading, these levels could occur from less than 1 km to dozens of km from a seismic vessel location.  A number of studies cite seismic activity as the cause of decreased fish abundance and catches (e.g Skalski et al 1992; Engås et al 1996), with such effects at times being evident within several kilometres (e.g. 33km - Engås et al 1996) of the sound source and continuing for days after the cessation of seismic activity (Lokkeborg 1991; Engås et al 1996).  The effects of seismic activity on fish catch rates is variable by species and gear type (Hirst and Rodhouse 2000; Lokkeborg et al 2012; Vold et al 2012).  Catches for some species / gear types (such as gillnet catches of orange rockfish and halibut) have actually increased during seismic activity, whereas others (such as longline catches of haddock) have been observed to decrease.  At larger scales, regions with seismic activity had decreased catches for only a few species for certain gear types (eg, saithe and haddock with gill nets; Vold et al 2009).

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Components Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects / Activities Interactions Based on Available Information Sources  Studies have also investigated potential fish injury, such as damage to hearing structures (e.g. Popper et al 2005) and/or mortality of fish, fish eggs or larvae (e.g. Parry and Gason 2006).  While it is evident that fish often respond to sounds emitted from air guns, little direct physical damage to fish occurs at distances greater than several meters from the source. Due to the avoidance behaviour of free-swimming fish, they typically do not suffer physical damage from seismic surveys (Gausland 1993).  Indeed, there are no documented cases of fish mortality under exposure to seismic sound under field operating conditions (DFO 2004; Payne 2004) and overall, exposure to seismic sound is considered unlikely to result in direct fish mortality (DFO 2004).  Most such studies have found that stationary fish affected by seismic surveys were located within a few metres of airguns, or caged close to the source (see McCauley et al 2003 and Turnpenny and Nedwell 1994 for a review).  The effects of seismic surveys on marine phytoplankton, zooplankton and the planktonic life stages of various marine fish species have also been investigated (see Dalen et al 2007 for a review).  Several studies have shown mortality of fish eggs and larvae within several meters of airguns (e.g., Kosheleva 1992, Booman et al 1996), whereas others have investigated or estimated the effect of seismic airguns on plankton (e.g., Davis et al 1998; Gausland 1993).  Seismic waves can, for example, have lethal or sublethal effects on plankton at short range (<5m; Ostby et al 2003 in Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  The timing and location of seismic activity is a key factor in the likelihood and potential degree of effect. Airguns operating in areas and times of strong seasonal stratifications or upwelling may, for example, affect more planktonic material because of its higher densities (Boudreau et al 2001).  Other potential implications of seismic activity on fish include chronic effects (e.g., elevation of neurohormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which often occur in fish under stressful conditions) as well as the potential risk of effects on reproduction (Payne et. al 2008).  Disturbances, possible  Noise generated by vessel traffic can be transmitted through water, causing avoidance by Vessel Traffic avoidance or attraction by some species. marine fish  Physiological and reproductive effects have been reported when fish are continually exposed to noise (Clark et al 1996).  Contamination of fish and/or  Given the opportunity, fish will generally avoid areas where noise levels exceed their threshold alteration of their habitats of hearing by 30 dB or more (ICES 1995).  Potential introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species and resulting habitat degradation  Reduced fish mortality due to (Morris et al 2011). presence of safety zone

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Components Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects / Activities Interactions Based on Available Information Sources EXPLORATION / DELINEATION DRILLING AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES  Disturbances, possible  See vessel traffic section above Vessel Traffic avoidance or attraction by marine fish

 Discharges causing contamination of fish and/or their habitats  Disturbances (low flying Aircraft Traffic aircraft)

 Disturbances, possible  The presence of a petroleum installation in marine waters will often attract some fish and Presence of avoidance or attraction by fish invertebrate species, which is often referred to as a “reef effect” (Picken and McIntyre 1989; Structures, LGL Limited et al 2000). Lights from drill units and seismic and support vessels may also Drilling,  Discharges causing attract some species. Lights, Noise, contamination of fish and/or  Less of a reef effect typically occurs around exploratory drilling units than production rigs, as Other their habitats the amount of subsurface structure is less and the duration of the interaction is much shorter Activities and (LGL Limited et al 2000). Disturbances  Reduced fish mortality due to presence of safety zone  Noise from marine structures or activities may cause avoidance by some species, with short term and low frequency noises appearing to elicit temporary avoidance due to startling effects with longer-term avoidance of the noise is higher frequency or continuous (Misund et al 1996; Wilson and Dill 2002).  Discharges causing  Reviews indicate that the response of the benthic community to drill cuttings discharges can Routine contamination of fish and/or be dependent on the types of drilling fluid used (Netto et al 2008). Discharges their habitats (water and  Oil-based drilling muds can affect benthic habitat and communities well away from the drill site (sewage, sediment quality) (>6km; Breuer et al 2008). deck  Biological effects of water-based muds are not normally found beyond about 250-500-m from drainage, a drilling platform (Hurley and Ellis 2004; Schaaning et al 2008; Jorissena et al 2009; Santosa bilge / cooling et al 2009), and environmental monitoring data from offshore oil developments in the NL water, wash Offshore Area have indicated that the actual area of effect has been much smaller than even fluids, that which was predicted (reviewed in LGL Limited 2005). produced  The accumulation of drill cuttings can cause reduced abundances and differences in water, other community composition (Schaanning et al 2008; Neff et al 2000). waste)

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Components Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects / Activities Interactions Based on Available Information Sources  Contamination, taint,  Water-based muds can affect macrofauna due to, for example, associated oxygen enrichment Drill Muds bioaccumulation that can initiate eutrophication responses (e.g. Trannum et al 2010). and Cuttings  Water based muds are thought to be dispersed in the water column where they could affect  Decreased water quality pelagic organisms (Jensen et al 2006). Laboratory studies also show potential for particles Other Seabed from water-based muds to affect fish and bivalves (Bechmann et al 2006). and Coastal  Habitat loss / alteration  A general recovery in terms of abundance, species richness and diversity has been observed Disturbances for the benthic communities one year after drilling (Husky Energy 2000; Netto et al 2008; (excavations,  Smothering of benthic Manoukian et al 2010). The rate of recovery will, however, depend on site-specific equipment communities environmental characteristics and processes, and the associated rate of recruitment and installation) recolonization by the benthic fauna characteristic of the area (Neff et al 2000).  Offshore oil and gas activities may affect deep sea corals through physical damage of the  Particulate deposition on water, coral or dislodgement of organisms from anchoring and/or mooring of floating vessels, Atmospheric associated water quality effects increased turbidity, smothering from drill cuttings, and any release of hydrocarbons into the Emissions marine environment (Campbell and Simms 2009). (exhaust, gas  The effects of produced water are not definitively known but there are concerns over long term venting, effects, particularly from hormone disrupting phenols, radioactive components and nutrients flaring) (Rye et al 2003 in Boertmann and Mosbech 2012). One study documented evidence of PAH residues in cod and mussels situated near oil rigs, but also noted that levels in cod remained below those found in coastal areas (Hylland et al 2008).  Blasting (noise) effects (if  Should explosives be used during well abandonment, shock waves produced by high Well required) explosives may be damaging to fish (Davis et al 1998). Abandonment  The detonation of explosives in or adjacent to fish habitat can cause disturbance, injury and/or death to fish, and/or the alteration, disruption or destruction of their habitats, sometimes at a considerable distance from the point of detonation (Wright and Hopky 1998).  Contamination, taint, toxicity,  A great deal of research has also been completed regarding the effects of exposure of oil on Accidental bioaccumulation marine fish and habitat. Spills of Oil or  A review by Teal and Howarth (1984) examined the effects of numerous oil spills. These other  Decreased water quality included death of fish eggs and larvae, decreases in fish spawning, death of adult fish, Substances decreased growth in fish and shellfish, contamination of fish and shellfish, decreased  Habitat alteration recruitment and decreased catches.  Contamination of shellfish was found to be common, but contamination of finfish occurred in only about half the cases (Teal and Howarth 1984). In most cases, effects persisted for less than a year, although effects on one species (flatfish) persisted for up to 8 years.  Spill effects depend on a variety of factors, including: the amount and type of oil, environmental conditions, species and life stage, lifestyle, fish condition, degree of confinement of experimental subjects and others (LGL Limited 2005).  Macroalgae are considered to be at risk from oil spills due to toxic effects and smothering (NOAA 2010; Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  Finfish may be affected through direct physical effects (e.g., coating of gills and suffocation) or more subtle physiological effects (e.g., abnormal gill function, decreased growth, altered

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Components Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects / Activities Interactions Based on Available Information Sources enzymatic activity, immunotoxic responses or organ damage) (for a review, see LGL Limited 2005; Jung et al 2012; Barron 2012).  Oil spill dispersants can also impair physiological function of fish (Milinkovitch et al 2013).  Exposure to spilled oil can alter genomic expression of finfish (Whitehead et al 2012).  Recent studies have shown that exposure to oil can affect fish embryo development and survival (Murakamia et al 2008; Frantzen et al 2012; Incardona et al 2012; Ingvarsdottir et al 2012). Species with buoyant eggs are particularly vulnerable (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  Possible behavioural effects on fish include avoidance of the contaminated area or altered natural behaviours related to predator avoidance or feeding (LGL Limited 2005).  Juvenile and adult fish have been known to leave an area after a spill (Roth and Baltz 2009). However, fish may not show avoidance behaviour, depending on such factors as migration impulse or concentrations of toxic components (Rice 1985, cited in LGL Limited et al 2000).  Oil exposure can lower the density of invertebrate populations (Andersen et al 2008), and can cause a notable change in the composition and abundance of the benthic fauna (Pérez del Olmo et al 2007).  Benthic fauna such as crabs and molluscs in shallow areas can be greatly affected by oil spills (McCay et al 2003a, 2003b) but effects on deeper benthic communities have also been observed from deepwater blowouts (Schrope 2011; White et al 2012).  Zooplankton effects from oil spills include die-offs and contamination, and these can persist in excess of 70 days (Teal and Howarth 1984). Species that occur at the surface layers of the water column are considered to be most at risk (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  In some cases phytoplankton biomass can increase during an oil spill due to the negative effects experienced by zooplankton predators and the nutrient release caused by other dying organisms (Teal and Howarth 1984).  Phyto and zooplankton communities exposed to dispersants and oil were more affected than by oil alone (Jung et al 2012). Bivalves such as mussels showed cytotoxilogical and gentoxilogical effects (Barsiene et al 2012). Saltmarsh arthropods (terrestrial and marine) can be suppressed by oil exposure but have been shown to recover after a year (McCall and Penning 2012). Deep water corals can show stress from oiling when they are exposed to spill plumes (i.e. deepwater blowouts; White et al 2012).  Coastal areas are amongst the most vulnerable to oiling (NOAA 2010). Consequently, some fish life histories (e.g. anadromous fish such as salmon and beach spawners like capelin) may be particularly vulnerable to oiling in coastal areas (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  The degree of effect and recovery times are habitat specific (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012) but structurally complex coastal habitats (e.g. salt marshes and coastal wetlands) are amongst the most sensitive (Lin and Mendelssohn 2012; Mendelssohn et al 2012; Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  Oil in coastal areas can persist for decades in crevices and sediments protected in interstitial spaces of boulders (Teal and Howarth 1984; NOAA 2010; Boertmann and Mosbech 2012). Recovery of protected coastal areas generally takes longer than from more exposed areas

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Components Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects / Activities Interactions Based on Available Information Sources (Joydas et al 2012; Mendelssohn et al 2012).  Microbial activity is key to degrading spilled oil, but the level of activity varies with type of oil and environmental conditions (Mendelssohn et al 2012).  Clean up efforts to oiled coastal areas can be more damaging than that of the oil spill and delay recovery (Peterson et al 2003).  Salt marsh habitats can experience reductions in biomass, show signs of stress (Mishra et al 2012) and have reduced photosynthesis (Wu et al 2012). Impacts to long-lived communities should be expected to persist for greater durations (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012). Such communities include coastal benthos and deepwater communities.  Ecotoxological effects of oil spills on invertebrate and fish communities can be amplified when combined with natural stressors (Whitehead 2013).

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5.1.2 Environmental Mitigation Measures

The following provides an overview of some of the typical mitigation measures that are often required and/or otherwise implemented during offshore oil and gas activities to help avoid or reduce adverse environmental effects on fish and fish habitat.

The C-NLOPB’s Geophysical, Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical Program Guidelines (C- NLOPB 2012) include various requirements and other measures related to environmental planning, mitigation, monitoring and reporting which are intended to help avoid or reduce the potential effects of seismic noise in the marine environment, as well as interactions with other ocean users and other issues. The Guidelines include the Statement of Canadian Practice with Respect to the Mitigation of Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment (DFO 2007b), which set out a series of mitigation requirements related to these activities, including measures related to the:

 Planning of seismic surveys;  Establishment and monitoring of a safety zone;  Prescribed marine mammal observation and detection measures;  Prescribed start-up procedures; and  Prescribed shut-down requirements.

Other applicable environmental guidelines and measures for oil and gas activities in the NL Offshore Area, including those related to offshore waste treatment (NEB et al 2010), chemical selection (NEB et al 2009) and others are referenced in Chapter 3 and are available at C-NLOPB (2013).

These and other standard mitigation measures which are often applied to offshore oil and gas activities in the NL Offshore Area are summarized in Table 5.2 below:

Table 5.2 Fish and Fish Habitat (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Standard Environmental Mitigation Measures Mitigation Applicability Geophysical Exploration Oil and Surveys and Gas Production Production Drilling  Avoidance of known species at risk and/or sensitive areas and/or times where possible in the planning and conduct of oil ● ● ● and gas activities  Reduction of airgun source levels in the design and implementation of offshore seismic programs to the minimum ● level practical for the survey, including the amount and frequency of energy used and its likely horizontal propagation  The use of a gradual “ramp-up” procedure over a minimum 20 minute period to allow mobile marine animals to move away ● from the area if they are disturbed by the underwater sound levels associated with a seismic survey  Shut-down of seismic sound source(s) during line changes and maintenance activities with associated monitoring and ramp-up ● provisions  Minimizing the amount of associated vessel and aircraft traffic, ● ● ●

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Mitigation Applicability Geophysical Exploration Oil and Surveys and Gas Production Production Drilling and the use of existing and common travel routes where possible and the avoidance of low-level aircraft operations  Minimizing environmental discharges and emissions from planned operations and activities, including compliance with ● ● ● relevant regulations and standards  The installation and use of oil water separators to treat contained deck drainage, with collected oil stored and disposed ● ● ● of properly  Selection of non-toxic drilling fluids, including the use of WBMs ● wherever possible and technically feasible  Treatment of operational discharges (such as sewage, deck drainage, bilge / cooling water, wash fluids, produced water, other waste) prior to release in compliance with the Offshore ● ● Waste Treatment Guidelines and other applicable regulations and standards  All foreign vessels operating in Canadian jurisdiction must comply with the Ballast Water Control and Management ● ● ● Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act during ballasting and de-ballasting activities  Appropriate handling, storage, transportation and on-shore ● ● ● disposal of solid and hazardous wastes  Water contaminated with hydrocarbons generated during flow testing (within certain tolerances), can be atomized in the flare ● ● (using high efficiency burners) or shipped on-shore for disposal  Selection and screening of chemicals under the Offshore Chemical Selection Guidelines for Drilling and Production ● ● Activities on Frontier Lands  The use of mechanical procedures during well completion and abandonment activities where possible, including the proactive ● ● design of well structures to facilitate this  Should blasting be required (such as in well abandonment), appropriate scheduling of these activities to avoid sensitive times, as well as setting of charges below the sediment ● ● surface, minimizing the amount of explosives utilized the use of high velocity explosives and staggering of individual blasts  Spill prevention plans and procedures, with associated and ● ● ● effective spill preparedness and response plans in place

The above list provides some examples of typical environmental protection measures which may be implemented to avoid or reduce adverse effects on marine fish and fish habitat, as well as referencing a number of relevant compliance standards which may apply to such activities. Additional and/or refined measures may also be appropriate and required for particular projects, depending on their specific characteristics, location, timing, environmental settings, and possible effects. Required mitigation measures are therefore determined on a project-specific basis, through the individual regulatory reviews of proposed seismic surveys or exploration drilling programs or production projects in the NL Offshore Area. As a result of the “project-specific” nature of individual offshore programs and their

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 404 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment environmental emissions and effects, the regulatory reviews of proposed drilling programs for example typically include an analysis of possible spill types and probabilities, as well as detailed modelling of drill cutting deposition on the seafloor and the likely fate and behaviour of hypothetical oil spills based on project and site specific factors such as hydrocarbon types and properties, water depths and characteristics, currents and other oceanographic conditions. Environmental compliance monitoring (including reporting on waste discharges, emissions, and treatment systems) is also required to verify adherence to applicable legislation and any conditions of regulatory approval.

5.1.3 Environmental Planning Considerations

Marine fish are present in the SEA Study Area throughout the year, with many species moving in and out of the area at different times according to their life histories, habitat preferences and seasonal activities. Available information on species presence and the overall geographic and seasonal occurrence of marine fish in and near the region was presented in Section 4.2.1.

5.1.3.1 Fish Species at Risk

A number of fish species that are designated as being at risk (and which are formally protected) under the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) are known or likely to occur in the SEA Study Area. One such species, the white shark, is not common in the area and its habitat is not well defined. However it is likely to inhabit the region during the warm water season. The three remaining species are wolffish (striped, northern and spotted), all of which are primarily associated with continental slope areas. Habitats that are of noted importance for wolffish include the Northeast Shelf and Slope EBSA (spotted wolffish) and the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks EBSA (striped wolffish), where densities of these species are particularly high. The Bonavista Corridor also appears to be an area of relatively high concentrations of spotted wolffish.

In addition to those that are legally protected, there are a number of other species that are considered to be of special conservation concern by organizations such as COSEWIC. Many of these species exist at a fraction of historic levels but remain relatively widespread along the Grand Banks (such as yellowtail flounder), the continental shelf (Atlantic cod and American plaice) and the continental slope (e.g. redfish).

5.1.3.2 Important Areas and Times for Fish and Fish Habitat

Within the SEA Study Area there are several identified ecologically important and/or sensitive regions that are known to have relatively high productivity, provide habitat for flora and fauna that are not otherwise widespread, and/or which provide unique opportunities for species to fulfil key aspects of their life history (such as reproduction or migration).

The Newfoundland Shelf has been previously studied to identify such areas, which has resulted in the designation of various EBSAs. These include the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks, Lilly Canyon and Carson Canyon, the Northeast Shelf and Slope and the Virgin Rocks areas. These locations encompass important spawning areas and/or locations with relatively high densities of marine flora and fauna. The Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks is important to commercial and non-commercial fish spawning and provides the only known nursery area for yellowtail flounder in the region. It is also a zone of high productivity for several taxa (plankton, striped wolffish, blue mussels, wedge clams, American plaice and yellowtail flounder). The Lilly Canyon and Carson Canyon (Icelandic scallops), and

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Northeast Shelf and Slope (Greenland halibut and spotted wolffish) EBSAs both contain high concentrations of fish and shellfish species. Similarly, the Virgin Rocks EBSA has aggregations of capelin and many groundfish such as Atlantic cod, American plaice and yellowtail flounder. The Virgin Rocks area also provides important and somewhat rare offshore habitat for macroalgae.

There are also additional important and/or sensitive areas and habitats in locations that are adjacent to the SEA Study Area, including sensitive coastal areas (e.g. Eastport Marine Protected Area, eelgrass fish nurseries and estuaries for diadromous fish) and other EBSAs.

Plankton comprise the largest group of organisms in the ocean, both in terms of diversity and biomass. They play an important role in the marine environment in that they serve as the base layers of most food webs (primary and secondary production). While their distribution is widespread, the most productive areas typically occur in the waters on the shelf and the shelf break (Templeman 2007). In particular, the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA (Templeman 2007) and the Frontal Extrusion Zone (LGL Limited 2003) have elevated primary productivity levels as compared to other parts of the Northwest Atlantic. Phytoplankton blooms are at their height in the spring. Similar to the phytoplankton on which they feed, zooplankton such as copepods and euphasiids have highest densities in slope regions and typically peak in abundance shortly after the phytoplankton.

Benthic organisms are plants and animals that live on or in the seafloor, and include several important commercial species such as snow crab and shrimp. These economically valuable species are most prevalent in the colder, more northern sectors of the SEA Study Area on the shelf edge, although other species such as wedge clams and blue mussels are found in their highest densities on the Tail of the Grand Banks (including in the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks EBSA), near the southernmost extreme of the SEA Study Area.

Several types of deep sea corals are present, and have been identified as being particularly sensitive to disturbance as they are relatively slow growing, long-lived and easily damaged mechanically or through increased turbidity and declining water quality. Coral areas have been identified and delineated by DFO and NAFO. Protection zones generally occur on the slopes of the Flemish Cap, while other seamount, coral and sponge protection zones occur at Orphan Knoll and the southeast slope of the Grand Banks. Additional high density sponge and coral areas have been designated along the slopes of the continental shelf in the Orphan Basin. Macroalgae (such as kelp) have a very limited distribution in the SEA Study Area due to the general absence of suitable habitat, but there are restricted areas such as Virgin Rocks where they flourish.

A wide variety of marine finfish species occur throughout the SEA Study Area, occupying different habitats at different times throughout the year. Many migrating species (e.g. Atlantic cod) move inshore during summer and retreat to waters at the edge of the continental shelf in the winter. Other pelagics move seasonally into the SEA Study Area from more southerly latitudes during summer. Some of the species that use this region have habitat restrictions that limit them to a small portion of the area. For example, the single nursery area for the entire yellowtail flounder stock is found in the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA. Similarly, various other temperate species (e.g. white hake and witch flounder) occur primarily in the relatively warm waters of the Tail of the Grand Banks.

An analysis of recent fish survey (RV) data indicates that certain areas appear to have high values for fish in terms of abundance, biomass and species richness. Research vessel catches (including invertebrates) were greatest at the edge of the continental shelf near the Flemish Pass and the

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 406 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment northern portions of the Orphan Basin for both abundance and biomass. Additional “hotspots” of biomass (but not numerical abundance), occurred at the Tail of the Grand Banks. For species richness, elevated values were found along the continental slopes, particularly in the Flemish Pass and along Orphan Basin. The Bonavista Corridor area was also found to have relatively high taxonomic richness through the above described analysis.

The Bonavista Cod Box has also been recognized as a key area for fish (LGL Limited 2003), and is an important migratory pathway for Atlantic cod. Other areas are also of known importance as nurseries and spawning grounds, such as the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks. Although spawning activities and periods vary considerably between species, spring appears to be a key spawning time for many species that use the SEA Study Area.

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5.2 Marine Birds (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)

A number of bird species occur in the SEA Study Area and adjacent marine and coastal environments, including seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other avifauna that inhabit the region at specific or extended periods for nesting, breeding, feeding, migration and other activities. Several important areas and habitats have also been identified at locations along the coastline of Eastern Newfoundland and elsewhere.

5.2.1 Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects

The key potential environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine birds include the following:

 The attraction of night-flying birds to oil and gas exploration or production installations and vessels (offshore or on-shore), including their lights, flares or other emissions, resulting in possible injury or mortality (strikes, incineration, disorientation, energy expenditure);

 Bird attraction or disturbance resulting from other activities and equipment associated with oil and gas activities (such as drill rigs) and possible injury or mortality;

 Disturbance to birds and their activities as a result of vessel, aircraft and/or vehicular movements, as well as through the presence of offshore and/or on-shore structures and activities and their associated disturbances (lights, noise);

 Possible injury of birds as a result of exposure to noise within the water column during seismic exploration activities (particularly diving birds) or other resulting disruptions to and changes in their feeding and other behaviours;

 Changes in the availability, distribution and/or quality of feed sources or habitats for marine birds; and

 Changes in the presence, abundance, distribution and/or health of marine birds (individuals and populations) as a result of exposure to accidental oil spills from installations or vessels, which may affect individuals (physical exposure, ingestion) and important habitats.

Table 5.3 provides a summary overview of the key potential environmental interactions between marine birds and various types of oil and gas activities, as well as some examples of existing information and knowledge from the literature and other sources on each of these potential effects. Again, more detailed reviews of such information are available in other sources.

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Table 5.3 Marine Birds (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Potential Environmental Interactions Components / Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available Activities Interactions Information Sources SEISMIC SURVEYS  Possible effects to  There is relatively little research that has investigated the effects of seismic activity on marine Air Gun some diving bird birds. A number of past studies found no evidence of negative effects on various bird species Operations species (injury, other resulting from seismic sound sources (Turnpenny and Nedwell 1994; Lacroix et al 2003). disturbance)  Previous research has also indicated no evidence that seabirds were attracted to or repelled by seismic activity (Evans et al 1993).  Attraction and  The possible effects of marine vessel traffic on marine birds include: behavioural changes that Vessel Traffic disturbance (e.g., may have energetic consequences (Schummer and Eddleman 2003), and a loss of suitable possible stranding and habitat as vessel traffic can reduce bird use of vessel disturbed areas (Bramford et al 1990). exposure to oil or other  Cumulative effects of chronic small scale oil discharge from seagoing vessels results in substances) important mortality of seabirds in Newfoundland and Labrador (Wiese and Roberston 2004). EXPLORATION / DELINEATION DRILLING AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES  Disturbance  Possible disturbance effects of aircraft overflights on birds include: temporary loss of useable Aircraft Traffic habitat, increased energy expenditure of birds due to escape reactions, lower food intake due to interruptions and other interactions (Ellis et al 1991; Komenda-Zehnder et al 2003).  Attraction and  Although there is a known association of birds with oil platforms (Baird 1990; Wiesse and Presence of disturbance / Montevecchi 2000), the nature, degree, timing and extent of any associated mortality is Structures, disorientation, potential generally unknown (Montevecchi et al 1999). Drilling, Lights, injury or mortality  Birds that are attracted to oil and gas installations may experience mortality due to direct Noise, Other (marine, coastal and collisions with equipment and infrastructure or by coming into contact with flares or other Activities and terrestrial avifauna) components, particularly at night and/or during periods of fog or other times of reduced visibility Disturbances (Gauthreaux and Beleser 2006; Montevecchi 2006)..   Other health effects may also occur due to altered behaviours (disorientation), which can lead to energy consumption, delayed foraging or migration, increased susceptibility to predation, and others (Wiesse et al 2001; Jones and Francis 2003).  Bird health / mortality  Operational discharges such as sheens of crude oil and other substances may alter the feather Routine issues weight and microstructure of pelagic seabirds (O’Hara and Morandin 2010). Discharges  Any effects to the fish species upon which avifauna depend may also indirectly affect birds (sewage, deck  Effects on prey species (see Table 5.1). drainage, bilge /  Habitat loss or cooling water, alteration wash fluids, produced water, other waste)

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Components / Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available Activities Interactions Information Sources

Drill Muds and Cuttings

Other Seabed and Coastal Disturbances (excavations, equipment installation)

Atmospheric Emissions (exhaust, gas venting, flaring)

 Effects of blasting (if Well required) Abandonment  Possible effects on prey species  Bird mortality and  Marine birds are amongst the biota most at risk from oil spills and blowouts, as they spend Accidental Spills health effects much of their time upon the surface of the ocean (LGL Limited 2005; Barron 2012; Boertmann of Oil or other and Mosbech 2012). In the event of a spill, and depending upon project and area specific Substances  Habitat quality and factors, coastal birds may also be at risk on beaches and in intertidal zones. availability  An accidental release of hydrocarbons can result in the direct physical exposure of birds to oil within the affected area.  Possible effects on  Birds at greatest risk are those that spend a considerable time resting or foraging on the water prey species surface (Wiese and Roberston 2004; Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  The possible physical effects oil exposure on birds include changes in thermoregulatory capability (hypothermia) and buoyancy (drowning) due to feather matting (Clark 1984; Hartung 1995; Montevecchi et al 1999), as well as oil ingestion from excessive preening (Hartung 1995).  Ingested oil can cause lethal and sublethal effects (McEwan and Whitehead 1980); including damage to the liver (Khan and Ryan 1991), pneumonia (Hartung and Hunt 1966), brain damage (Lawler et al 1978), immunotoxic effects (Barron 2012) and starvation due to increased energy needs to compensate for heat loss resulting from oiling and loss of insulation (Peakall et al 1980; 1982; MMS 2001).  The likely effects of oil exposure on birds varies between species, as well as with different

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Components / Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available Activities Interactions Information Sources types of oil (Gorsline et al 1981), weather conditions, times of year, migratory patterns and other activities (Wiese et al 2001; Montevecchi et al 2012).  Birds that feed on organisms from high risk areas (e.g. benthos) are also at heightened risk of contamination (Engelhardt 1983).  There is apparently no direct relationship between the volume of oil spilled and bird mortality, but rather it is primarily the timing and location of a spill that influences mortality rates (Weisse et al 2001).  Nesting seabirds that survive oil exposure often exhibit decreased reproductive success (LGL 2005), although oiled birds treated quickly have reduced risk (Barham et al 2007).  Effects of oiled areas may be transferred away from the affected site due to the migratory nature of some avifauna (Henkel et al 2012).  The long-lived nature of many bird species also suggests that oil-related reductions in population growth can have longer term population effects (Wiese and Roberston 2004).

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5.2.2 Environmental Mitigation Measures

Some of the standard mitigation measures that are often implemented in relation to offshore oil and gas activities to help avoid or reduce potential environmental effects on marine birds include those listed in the Table below.

Table 5.4 Marine Birds (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Standard Environmental Mitigation Measures Mitigation Applicability Geophysical Exploration and Oil and Surveys Production Gas Drilling Production  The avoidance of known and observed bird colonies and significant aggregations of avifauna where possible in the planning and conduct of oil and gas activities, as ● ● ● well as identified critical habitats and protected or sensitive areas and times  Minimizing the amount (and adjusting the duration and frequency) of lighting used (while maintaining a safe work environment), particularly when migratory birds ● ● ● are especially vulnerable to disturbance and associated effects (e.g., during spring and fall migration, inclement weather)  Programs and protocols for the collection and release of marine birds that become stranded on offshore installations, including associated regulatory guidance and permit requirements (e.g., The Canadian Wildlife ● ● ● Service’s Oiled Birds Protocol and Protocol for Collecting Dead Birds From Platforms, as well as The Leach’s Storm Petrel: General Information and Handling Instructions, by Williams and Chardine n.d..)  Avoiding or minimizing flaring, and the use of high ● ● efficiency burners  Minimizing the amount of associated vessel and aircraft traffic, and the use of existing and common travel ● ● ● routes where possible  Avoidance of low-level aircraft operations wherever ● ● ● possible and feasible  Minimizing environmental discharges and emissions from planned operations and activities, including ● ● ● compliance with relevant regulations and standards  The installation and use of oil water separators to treat contained deck drainage, with collected oil stored and ● ● disposed of properly  Treatment of operational discharges prior to release in compliance with the Offshore Waste Treatment ● ● Guidelines and other applicable regulations and standards  All foreign vessels operating in Canadian jurisdiction must comply with the Ballast Water Control and ● ● ● Management Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act

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Mitigation Applicability Geophysical Exploration and Oil and Surveys Production Gas Drilling Production during ballasting and de-ballasting activities  Selection and screening of chemicals under the Offshore Chemical Selection Guidelines for Drilling and ● ● Production Activities on Frontier Lands  Spill prevention plans and procedures, with associated and effective spill preparedness and response plans in ● ● ● place

Additional environmental protection measures may also be required for particular projects, depending on their specific characteristics, location, timing and possible environmental effects. Mitigation measures are therefore determined on a project-specific basis, through the individual regulatory reviews of proposed seismic surveys or drilling programs in the NL Offshore Area. The regulatory review of proposed drilling programs also typically include an analysis of possible oil spill types and probabilities, as well as detailed modelling of the likely fate and behaviour of hypothetical oil spills based on project and site specific factors such as hydrocarbon types and properties, water depths and characteristics, currents and other oceanographic conditions. Environmental compliance monitoring (including reporting on waste discharges, emissions, and treatment systems) is also required to verify adherence to applicable legislation and any conditions of regulatory approval. In the unlikely event of a spill or blowout, an operational oil spill contingency plan would be activated. A post-spill environmental effects monitoring (EEM) program may be a specific component of any such response plan.

5.2.3 Environmental Planning Considerations

Marine Birds are present in the SEA Study Area throughout the year, with many species moving in and out of the area at different times according to their particular characteristics, habitat preferences and seasonal activities. Existing and available information on the presence and geographic and seasonal occurrence of birds in and near the region is presented in Section 4.2.2

5.2.3.1 Marine Bird Species at Risk

Several marine bird and landbird species that are currently designated as being at risk (and which are therefore protected) under SARA and/or the NL ESA or have been assessed by COSEWIC as being of conservation concern are known or likely to occur in the SEA Study Area for at least part of the year. Available information on the likely presence and known spatial and temporal distribution of these species was provided in Section 4.2.2, and is summarized below.

One seabird species at risk has potential to occur in the SEA Study Area. The Ivory Gull (SARA and NL ESA: endangered) winters offshore in small numbers in the waters off Eastern Newfoundland. They are found most often among the pack ice, and are more rarely seen on the coast of the Northern Peninsula and onshore (Stenhouse 2004; NL DEC 2013).

Two waterfowl species at risk may also occur in the SEA Study Area. The Harlequin Duck (eastern population SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) breeds in fast-flowing streams, and may nest in the Bay du Nord River. In winter, they are found along rocky coastlines, subtidal ledges and exposed headlands (NL DEC 2013), including the waters off Cape St. Mary’s. A small number of non-breeding

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 413 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment individuals may be found here year round (Environment Canada 2007). The Barrow’s Goldeneye (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) moults and overwinters in small numbers, often in groups with Common Goldeneye, off the coast of Eastern Newfoundland at Port Blandford and Newman Sound in Terra Nova National Park, as well as Traytown Bay, St. Mary’s Bay, and Spaniard’s Bay (Schmelzer 2006).These birds are known to congregate in relatively small geographic areas in important shipping corridors, and therefore the population is considered to be particularly susceptible to being affected by oil spills and the bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants (NL DEC 2013).

Three shorebird species at risk may be found in coastal habitats in Eastern Newfoundland during fall migration. The Red Knot (rufa subspecies; SARA and NL ESA: endangered) is found on open sandy inlets, coastal mudflats, sand flats, salt marshes, sandy estuaries and areas with rotting kelp deposits during fall migration, from mid-August through late September (Garland and Thomas 2009; NL DEC 2013). Although more commonly observed on the southwest coast of Newfoundland (Garland and Thomas 2009), they are occasionally seen at Cape Freels (Environment Canada 2009). The Buff- breasted Sandpiper (COSEWIC: special concern) is occasionally observed during fall migration near the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula at St. Shott’s Sod Farm and at Cape Bonavista (Environment Canada 2009), and is considered to be a rare fall migrant in the province (COSEWIC 2012c). Piping Plover (SARA and NL ESA: endangered) has currently been reported as breeding in Eastern Newfoundland at Deadman’s Bay Provincial Park near the northwest head of Bonavista Bay. Piping Plovers nest on sandy shorelines above the high water mark, and are present at the breeding grounds from April to September (Boyne and Amirault 1999).

Four landbird species at risk also potentially occur in coastal habitats in Eastern Newfoundland or offshore during migration. The Peregrine Falcon (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) migrates along the coast of Newfoundland, preying on concentrations of migrating shorebirds (Parks Canada 2012). In Eastern Newfoundland, Peregrine Falcon sightings have been reported in the fall months on the Bonavista Peninsula and at all times of year on the Avalon Peninsula but most frequently during the fall (e-Bird 2013). The Short-eared Owl (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) occurs in low numbers on the coast of Newfoundland, where it typically nests in coastal barrens and grasslands. Suitable habitat occurs in much of coastal Southeastern Newfoundland, and sightings of this species have been reported throughout the eastern portion of the Island from Wadham Islands to the Avalon Peninsula, mainly in June and July (Schmelzer 2005; e-Bird 2013). Gray-cheeked Thrush (NL ESA: vulnerable) occurs in dense coniferous forest, and is most common on the Northern Peninsula and along the northeast coast, as well as the northern Avalon Peninsula. It has been observed in Placentia Bay (Endangered Species and Biodiversity Section 2010) and is reportedly breeding in Terra Nova National Park (IBA 2013). The Olive-sided Flycatcher (SARA and NL ESA: threatened) is found in boreal forest habitat in the summer, particularly open areas such as wetlands with tall trees and snags (Altman and Sallabanks 2012). It has been reported at several locations on the Avalon Peninsula, as well as at Terra Nova National Park (e-Bird 2013).

The Bank Swallow (COSEWIC: threatened) nests in burrows such as those created by coastal erosion; as such, it may be located in close proximity to the marine environment during breeding season. Within the province, Bank Swallows nest primarily in Southwestern Newfoundland (Warkentin and Newton 2009); however, sightings have been reported in Eastern Newfoundland (e-Bird 2013). The Bobolink (COSEWIC: threatened) nests in grasslands, and migrates to its wintering grounds in South America in the fall. Breeding has been reported in Western Newfoundland at Codroy Valley IBA (IBA 2013), and there have been sightings in Eastern Newfoundland on the Avalon Peninsula and Terra Nova National Park in the summer months (e-Bird 2013).

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Three additional species at risk may migrate over the offshore area, but as diurnal migrants they are considered less susceptible to disorientation from artificial marine lights and flares: Rusty Blackbird (SARA: special concern and NL ESA: vulnerable; Baird and Nisbet 1960), Chimney Swift (SARA and NL ESA: threatened; Cink and Collins 2002) and Barn Swallow (COSEWIC: threatened; Brown and Bomberger Brown 1999).

5.2.3.2 Important Areas and Times for Marine Birds

During the summer breeding season, the greatest abundance of seabirds is concentrated around nesting colonies. However, the Grand Banks support large numbers of feeding seabirds throughout the year (Fifield et al 2009b). Winter is a particularly sensitive time for alcids (auks), as they spend most of their time on the water’s surface and are in fact flightless for several weeks during their winter moulting period (Gaston and Hipfner 2000). Seabirds are relatively long-lived, and in many species, individuals do not breed until four or five years of age. Large groups of non-breeding immature birds tend to congregate in waters close to the breeding grounds and offshore. In addition to resident breeders, Southern Hemisphere seabirds such as Great Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, and Wilson’s Storm- Petrel spend their winter in waters of the Northern Hemisphere, although only a small proportion of these populations occur in the SEA Study Area.

During the fall staging period (and even more so in the winter), sea ducks such as eiders, scoters and Long-tailed Ducks can be found in large numbers in coastal waters. Particularly high concentrations occur between Cape Freels and Wadham Islands, and other major congregations of sea ducks numbering in the thousands are found at Grates Point, Cape St. Francis, Mistaken Point, Cape St. Mary’s and Placentia Bay. The endangered Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye are often found in coastal waters outside of the breeding season, particularly at Cape St. Mary’s and near Terra Nova, Traytown Bay, St. Mary’s Bay and Spaniard’s Bay.

Many species of shorebirds, including the endangered Red Knot and COSEWIC-listed Buff-breasted Sandpiper, utilize a variety of coastal habitats including sandy mudflats, saltmarshes and river outlets in Eastern Newfoundland during their southward migration, along with various high tide roost sites. Peak abundance typically occurs in July to October. Important migration stopover locations are found along the eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula (Witless Bay, Renews, Long Beach, St. Shotts, Spaniard’s Bay, Bellevue Beach) as well as Cape Freels and Cape Bonavista (Environment Canada 2009). During the winter months, Purple Sandpipers and a small number of Ruddy Turnstones feed on rocky shorelines and offshore ledges and islands, notably at the Mistaken Point and Cape St. Francis IBAs. For migrating landbirds (particularly passerines, which tend to be nocturnal migrants), the spring and fall months are most important. These species are particularly vulnerable to disorientation from artificial light sources, and may be fatally attracted to flares.

Bright lights such as those on offshore rigs or vessels and from flares can attract night-migrating birds and night-flying seabirds (e.g. storm-petrels) and possibly result in injuries or death to migratory birds. Particularly sensitive times for potential effects on migratory birds include the spring (April 1st to June 1st) and fall (July 15th to October 30th) migration periods, as well as during specific meteorological conditions such as fog or inclement weather.

Perhaps the most important possible effects of offshore oil and gas activities on marine birds are associated with potential accidental oil spills, and the incidental discharge of waste oil and bilge water from vessels (so-called chronic oil pollution; Weise and Ryan 2003). The actual effects of any such oil

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 415 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment spill or release would be dependent on factors such as the time of year, sea conditions, the volume and type of material spilled, and type of spill (i.e., surface or sub-surface). Direct effects would occur if birds are in the immediate area and come into contact with the spill and its zone of influence. As described in Section 4.2.2, the particular species present in the region varies considerably according to season. The effects of an accidental oil spill on pelagic birds could be considerable within the zone of influence of a spill, however, and these species are likely most vulnerable to oil spills as they spend considerable time on the surface of the water. These species occur in the area primarily in the winter period, when low temperatures may also slow down degradation or weathering of spilled oil and/or when oil spill response procedures would likely be most challenging. Appropriate oil spill prevention proper bilge and waste oil handling practices, preparedness and response plans by individual operators are therefore required, to help ensure that the likelihood, and likely effects, of any such accidental events are minimized.

Potential environmental effects may therefore be addressed through project-specific planning and associated regulatory processes, to seek to avoid sensitive areas and times and through the identification and implementation of project and activity-specific environmental protection (mitigation) and emergency response measures. Oil and gas operators can also contact the Canadian Wildlife Service to obtain and use any additional, up-to-date data on marine birds that may have become available since the publication of the SEA.

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5.3 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)

A number of marine mammal and reptile species are known to or may occur within the SEA Study Area and in adjacent marine and coastal regions. These include various mysticetes (baleen whales), odontocetes (toothed whales and porpoises) and pinnipeds (seals) as well as several sea turtles. These animals vary considerably in their likelihood of presence and occurrence (from common, to very rare, to possible but unlikely), as well as the particular areas and habitat types that they utilize and the times at which they occur in or pass through the region. Given the relatively rarity of many of these species, and because several are protected under species at risk legislation in Canada and elsewhere, the presence and distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles in and near the area is also an important consideration in future planning and decision-making regarding potential future offshore oil and gas activities in the region.

5.3.1 Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects

The main potential environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine mammals and sea turtles relate primarily to the underwater noises that are associated with seismic surveys, exploration drilling and production activities, and include the following:

 The avoidance of certain areas that would otherwise be used by the individuals affected, with these behavioural changes altering the presence, abundance and overall distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles and their movements, feeding and other activity. This is of key concern if any such areas are especially important / rare habitats and are disturbed repeatedly;

 The possible attraction of individuals to offshore installations and vessels (seismic and supply), resulting in increased potential for injury or mortality through collisions, contamination or other interactions;

 Interference with (and the masking of) sounds in the marine environment that originate from and/or are used by marine mammals, such as in communication, the identification and detection of prey, reproduction, echolocation and other activities and requirements;

 Temporary hearing impairment or permanent injury or mortality from very loud and instantaneous sounds, such as which may be experienced in close proximity to a seismic airgun;

 Potential changes in the availability, distribution or quality of feed sources and/or habitats for marine mammals and sea turtles as a result of oil and gas activities and their planned and routine environmental emissions (including seismic, drilling or other activities); and

 Changes in the presence, abundance, distribution and/or health (injury or mortality) of marine mammals and sea turtles as a result of accidental oil spills from oil and gas installations or vessels (through physical exposure, ingestion, effects on prey and habitats, etc).

Table 5.5 provides a summary overview of some potential environmental interactions between marine mammals and sea turtles and various types of offshore oil and gas activities and components, as well as referencing some examples of existing information and knowledge that is provided through the available literature.

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Table 5.5 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Potential Environmental Interactions Components / Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available Activities Interactions Information Sources SEISMIC SURVEYS  Injury or mortality  Of the various activities that may be associated with oil and gas exploration and Air Gun development, seismic surveys are often considered to have the highest potential for effects Operations  Behavioural effects, including on marine mammals and sea turtles. possible avoidance or  Possible effects on this VEC resulting from sound in the marine environment may be physical attraction (injury or mortality) or behavioural (avoidance, other changes in distribution or activities) in nature.  Interference with vocal  Temporary threshold shift (TTS) is hearing deterioration due to prolonged or repeated communication and other exposure to high levels of noise and can last from minutes or hours to days, depending upon underwater sounds and their such factors as the receptor involved and the level and duration of noise exposure uses (Richardson et al 1995; Davis et al 1998). Permanent hearing impairment may also occur in some instances (Nowacek et al 2007).  Although a relatively limited number of studies have investigated this issue (e.g., Finneran et al 2000, 2002, 2010; Southall et al 2007; Lucke et al 2009; Gedamke et al 2011), specific TSS thresholds for marine mammals and sea turtles are not currently known, including both the sound levels required to cause such injury as well as the distances at which these may be produced for particular air gun noise levels and oceanographic conditions.  Studies of the potential distances within which TSS may occur in marine mammals during seismic surveys have cited distances from less than 100 m from the sound source (Ridgway et al 1997), to several hundred meters (as described in LGL Limited 2005) to 1 km or more (Gedamke et al 2011). Strong acousting convergence zones also exist well beyond (> 10 kms) these limits (Madsen et al 2006).  Potential non-injury related effects from seismic activity are behavioural in nature, and would occur when animals are disturbed or confused by seismic noise, or where the sounds which animals used are interfered with (communications, prey, etc). Indirect effects may also arise from the displacement of prey.  The observed behavioural effects of anthropogenic noise sources on marine mammals include: changes in vocalizations (Parks et al 2007; Holt et al 2009; Miller et al 2000, 2009; Di Iorio and Clark 2010; Risch et al 2012); changes in respiration, swim speed, diving, and foraging behaviour (Stone and Tasker 2006); displacement and avoidance (Castellote et al 2012, Weir 2008); shifts in migration paths, stress and immune depression (Romano et al 2004; Rao et al 2012) and strandings (Gentry 2000; Malakoff 2002; Weilgart 2007).  Responses to seismic activity are known to be highly variable between species, age classes, behavioural states and environmental conditions (Weilgart 2007; Miller et al 2009), and generalizations about marine mammal behavioural reactions are difficult to make as they can vary greatly depending on various factors (Wood et al 2012). For example, some cetaceans actually take advantage of seismic surveys for foraging (e.g. bottlenose dolphins; Barry et al 2012).

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Components / Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available Activities Interactions Information Sources  Whales have often been shown to avoid operating airguns, but avoidance radii are quite variable (as reviewed by LGL Limited 2005). Some recent studies have, however, shown avoidance or other disturbances (e.g., decreased vocalizations) occurring in relation to lower noise levels, and/or at greater distances and times that those previously reported, in some cases up to several hundred kilometres and well after the survey was completed (Nieukirk et al 2004, 2012; Risch et al 2012; Castellote et al 2012).  Wood et al (2012) for example, describe relatively high levels of behavioural reactions to seismic noise at relatively low intensity (e.g., 120−140 dB re: 1 µPa rms).  In contrast some species (e.g. minke whales) have been observed in close proximity (< 100 m) to operating seismic arrays (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).  Acoustic damage zones are much larger for low frequency cetaceans compared to high frequency cetaceans (Laws 2012). However, damage zones for even the most sensitive cetaceans are usually much smaller than the typical mandatory exclusion zones (Laws 2012).  The overall reduction and degradation of marine acoustic habitat as a result of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment has also been raised as a concern, particularly for low- frequency specialists such as baleen whales (Clark et al 2009).  Of particular concern is the potential for marine mammals disturbance associated with seismic surveys to interfere with species at risk and other rare species and small populations, particularly any associated disruption of animal movements, communication or other activities during key periods such as reproduction which may affect population recovery (Croll et al 2002; Beauchamp et al 2009).  Pinnipeds (seals) have been observed to exhibit reactions to seismic surveys and other anthropogenic noise, although any such disturbance is typically localized and short-term if it occurs at all (Richardson et al 1995).  Studies have also shown that sea turtles may show a strong initial avoidance response to air- gun operations (O'Hara and Wilcox 1990; McCauley et al 2000a) and temporary hearing loss has also been reported in some instances (Moein et al 1994).  Injury or mortality (collision)  Shipping is likely the main source of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment (Wright Vessel Traffic et al 2007), and masking has been identified as the primary auditory effect of vessel noise on  Behavioural effects, including marine animals (Southall 2005). possible avoidance or  The reactions of cetaceans to ships may be avoidance, approach, or indifference attraction (Richardson et al 1995), as well as other behavioural effects such as changes in vocalizations (Clark et al 2009).  Interference with vocal  Although cetacean species are susceptible to mortality or injury from vessel collisions communication and other (Williams and O’Hara 2010), they can often habituate to ships following a consistent course underwater sounds and their or which are frequently present in the area (Richardson et al 1995). uses  Vessel traffic and associated low frequency noise can be a source of chronic stress for marine mammal populations (Rolland et al 2012; Rao et al 2012).

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Components / Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available Activities Interactions Information Sources EXPLORATION / DELINEATION DRILLING AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES  Injury or mortality (collision)  See above for vessel traffic Vessel Traffic  Marine mammal reactions to aircraft are variable due to differences in aircraft type, altitude,  Behavioural effects, including and flight pattern (e.g., straight-line overflight, circling, or hovering). possible avoidance or  Possible responses include: diving immediately, changing movement patterns, leaving the attraction area or no change at all (Richardson et al 1995).  Possible avoidance or Aircraft Traffic attraction (behavioural effects)

 Possible avoidance or  Marine mammals have been observed to both move away from and toward offshore drill rigs, Presence of attraction (behavioural effects) and this has been found to vary between different species and types of drilling installations Structures, (Richardson et al 1995; LGL Limited et al 2000). Drilling, Lights,  Interference with vocal  These changes may range from tens of meters to several kilometres, but is considered highly Noise, Other communication and other reversible with animals expected to return to an area once the noise source is removed Activities and underwater sounds and their (Davis et al 1998). Disturbances uses  Continuous noise, associated with drilling rigs and ships propellers, has been shown to be a masking agent for white whales and killer whales (Foote et al 2004; Scheifele et al 2005).  Possible effects on marine  One study has also documented behavioural influences of low flying aircraft on bowhead Routine mammal and sea turtle health whales (Patenaude et al 2002). Discharges (contamination of individuals, (sewage, deck habitats) drainage, bilge / cooling water,  Effects on food sources wash fluids, produced water, other waste)

 Possible effects on marine Drill Muds and mammal and sea turtle health Cuttings (contamination of individuals, habitats) Other Seabed and Coastal  Effects on habitats and food Disturbances sources (excavations, equipment installation)

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Components / Potential Environmental Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available Activities Interactions Information Sources  Possible effects on marine Atmospheric mammal and sea turtle health Emissions (contamination of individuals, (exhaust, gas habitats) venting, flaring)  Effects on food sources  Possible avoidance or  The detonation of explosives may be lethal to marine mammals, may cause auditory damage Well attraction under certain conditions, and has also been demonstrated to induce changes in behaviour Abandonment (Ketten 1995; Wright and Hopky 1998; Morton and Symonds 2002).  Injury or mortality  Possible effects on marine  Oil spills may affect marine mammals and sea turtles through direct exposure and associated Accidental Spills mammal and sea turtle health health effects, as well as by changing the availability and quality of their food sources and of Oil or other (contamination of individuals, habitats. Substances habitats)  Marine mammals and sea turtles will likely avoid or move out of areas affect by oil spills, and have been observed to detect and thus avoid spills (Matkin et al 1994; Smultea and Würsig  Effects on food sources 1995; Ackleh et al 2012).  When marine mammals have come into contact with oil, effects on their skin appear to be minor and of little relevance to the animal’s overall health (Geraci 1990). Additionally, ingestion and inhalation of oil have been found to involve only trace amounts (Bence and Burns 1995).  Exposure to oil through ingestion or dermal contact is considered to be harmful and possibly fatal to sea turtles (Howard 2012).  Although some studies indicate that no clear evidence exists to link oil spills with mortality of cetaceans (Geraci 1990, Dahlheim and Matkin 1994), others report that the long-term effects of oil exposure include an inability for marine mammals to rebound to pre-spill numbers (Matkin et al 2008; Monson et al 2011).  It has been estimated, for example, that more than 5,000 individuals died as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico (Gero et al 2011).  While typically not monitored, it is expected that immunotoxic effects occur in vertebrates, including mammals, that that are exposed to oil (Barron 2012).

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5.3.2 Environmental Mitigation Measures

An overview of some of the typical mitigation measures that are often required and/or otherwise implemented during offshore oil and gas activities to help avoid or reduce adverse environmental effects on marine mammals and sea turtles is given below.

As described in Section 5.1, the C-NLOPB’s Geophysical, Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical Program Guidelines (C-NLOPB 2012) include various requirements and other measures related to environmental planning, mitigation, monitoring and reporting which are intended to help avoid or reduce the potential effects of seismic noise in the marine environment, as well as interactions with other ocean users and marine mammal and bird monitoring and reporting.

These Guidelines include the Statement of Canadian Practice with Respect to the Mitigation of Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment (DFO 2007b), which set out a series of mitigation requirements related to these activities, including measures related to the: planning of seismic surveys; establishment and monitoring of a safety zone; prescribed marine mammal observation and detection measures; prescribed start-up procedures; and prescribed shut-down requirements.

These and other standard mitigation measures which are often applied to offshore oil and gas activities in the NL Offshore Area to help avoid or reduce effects on marine mammals and sea turtles include those listed in the Table below:

Table 5.6 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Standard Environmental Mitigation Measures Mitigation Applicability Geophysical Exploration and Oil and Surveys Production Gas Drilling Production  Avoidance of known and observed marine mammal concentrations where possible in the planning and ● ● ● conduct of offshore oil and gas activities  Reduction of airgun source levels in the design and implementation of offshore seismic programs to the minimum level practical for the survey, including the ● amount and frequency of energy used and its likely horizontal propagation  Establishment of a safety zone around the seismic air source array (with a radius of at least 500 m), which is monitored by a qualified Marine Mammal Observer (or through Passive Acoustic Monitoring in low visibility ● conditions) and specific protocols regarding observation requirements and times and shut-down as required  The use of a gradual “ramp-up” procedure over a minimum 20 minute period to allow mobile marine animals to move away from the area if they are ● disturbed by the underwater sound levels associated with a seismic survey  Shut-down of the seismic sound source(s) during line ● changes and maintenance activities with associated

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Mitigation Applicability Geophysical Exploration and Oil and Surveys Production Gas Drilling Production monitoring and ramp up provisions  Minimizing the amount of associated vessel and aircraft traffic and the use of existing and common travel routes ● ● ● where possible  Avoidance of low-level aircraft operations wherever ● ● ● possible and feasible  Minimizing environmental discharges and emissions from planned operations and activities, including ● ● ● compliance with relevant regulations and standards  The installation and use of oil water separators to treat contained deck drainage, with collected oil stored and ● ● ● disposed of properly  Selection of non-toxic drilling fluids, including the use of water-based muds wherever possible and technically ● feasible  Treatment of operational discharges prior to release in compliance with the Offshore Waste Treatment ● ● Guidelines and other applicable regulations and standards  All foreign vessels operating in Canadian jurisdiction must comply with the Ballast Water Control and ● ● ● Management Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act during ballasting and de-ballasting activities  Appropriate handling, storage, transportation and on- ● ● ● shore disposal of solid and hazardous wastes  Water contaminated with hydrocarbons generated during flow testing (within certain tolerances), can be ● ● atomized in the flare (using high efficiency burners) or shipped on-shore for disposal  Selection and screening of chemicals under the Offshore Chemical Selection Guidelines for Drilling and ● ● Production Activities on Frontier Lands  The use of mechanical procedures during well completion and abandonment activities where possible, ● ● including the design of well and casings to facilitate this  Should blasting be required (such as in well abandonment), appropriate scheduling of these activities, as well as marine mammal surveillance and the delay of detonation until observed marine mammals ● ● are away from the area. Setting of charges below the sediment surface, minimizing amount of explosives used , the use of high velocity explosives, and staggering of individual blasts;  Spill prevention plans and procedures, with associated and effective spill preparedness and response plans in ● ● ● place.

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The above list includes some examples of typical environmental protection measures which may be implemented to avoid or reduce adverse effects on this VEC, as well as referencing a number of relevant compliance standards which may apply to such activities.

Required environmental protection measures are determined on a project-specific basis, through the individual regulatory reviews of proposed seismic surveys or exploration drilling programs or production projects in the NL Offshore Area. These regulatory reviews often include a requirement for project- specific analysis of possible spill types and probabilities and detailed modelling of the likely fate and behaviour of hypothetical oil spills based on project and site specific factors. Environmental compliance monitoring (including reporting on waste discharges, emissions, and treatment systems) is also required to verify adherence to applicable legislation and any conditions of regulatory approval. In the unlikely event of a spill or blowout, an operational oil spill contingency plan would be activated. A post- spill EEM program may be a specific aspect of any such response plan.

5.3.3 Environmental Planning Considerations

Marine mammals and sea turtles are present in the SEA Study Area throughout the year, with many species utilizing and moving into and out of the area for various activities at different periods. Available information on the known geographic and seasonal occurrence of these species in and near the region is presented in Section 4.2.3.

5.3.3.1 Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Species at Risk

A total of five federally listed marine mammal species at risk and one listed sea turtle may occur or are known to be present in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area: 1) blue whale - Atlantic population; 2) North Atlantic right whale; 3) Sowerby’s beaked whale; 4) northern bottlenose whale - Scotian Shelf population; 5) fin whale - Atlantic population; and 6) leatherback turtle - Atlantic population.

Four additional populations that do or may occur in the SEA Study Area have been assessed by COSEWIC as being of conservation concern, but do not have formal protection under SARA: 1) the northern bottlenose whale (Davis Strait population); 2) the killer whale (Northwest Atlantic and Eastern Arctic populations); 3) harbour porpoise - Northwest Atlantic population and 4) loggerhead sea turtle ( population). The harbour porpoise is listed on Schedule 2 of SARA, but is not subject to the same legal protections as Schedule 1 species. A third sea turtle species, the Kemp’s ridley, is not federally listed but is considered by the IUCN to be critically endangered.

5.3.3.2 Important Areas and Times for Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles

Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) have been identified by DFO within the Placentia Bay Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area (Templeman 2007) and Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves bioregion (DFO 2013) for various ecological reasons, which in some cases includes their use by and importance to marine mammals. This includes the following EBSAs which overlap with the SEA Study Area:

 Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks;

 Lilly Canyon-Carson Canyon;

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 Northeast Shelf and Slope; and the

 Orphan Spur.

Critical habitat has been identified in the federal Recovery Strategies for two of the marine mammal species at risk that have been reported in the SEA Study Area (northern bottlenose whale - Scotian Shelf population and the North Atlantic right whale), but no such critical habitat is located within the SEA Study Area itself. Recovery Strategies identifying critical habitat are not currently available for the other species at risk reported in the SEA Study Area. Analysis of data obtained from a tracking study show three high-use feeding areas for leatherback turtles: 1) waters east and southeast of Georges Bank, including the Northeast Channel near the southwestern boundary of the Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone; 2) the southeastern Gulf of St. Lawrence and waters off eastern Cape Breton Island, including Sydney Bight, the Cabot Strait, portions of the Magdalen Shallows and adjacent portions of the Laurentian Channel; and 3) waters south and east of the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland, including parts of Placentia Bay (DFO 2012). Information from this DFO tracking study is being used to inform the identification of critical habitat in a forthcoming amendment to the species’ Recovery Strategy (DFO 2013).

In terms of seasonality, although several marine mammal species are year-round residents, cetaceans and reptiles are most likely to occur in the SEA Study Area during the summer months, where the Grand Banks and surrounding waters provide important feeding habitats. With the exception of grey seals, which are present year-round, pinnipeds are most abundant in the winter.

In summary, the region is inhabited by marine mammals and sea turtles at various times of the year, a number of which are considered to be at risk, with species moving in and out of the area utilizing its marine environment for various activities at different periods. Several areas within the SEA Study Area have also been identified as being of overall ecological and biological significance for various reasons.

The presence of these species, location and times should be considered in planning, proposing, reviewing and implementing any future oil and gas projects and activities in the SEA Study Area. This, in combination with the general mitigation measures outlined above, including in particular the implementation of project specific marine mammal monitoring activities and avoidance protocols, will help to avoid or reduce any potential direct interactions with, and effects on, these species during individual projects. Project-specific planning and associated regulatory processes may therefore address potential environmental effects, through the identification and implementation of project and activity-specific mitigation and monitoring measures.

5.4 Sensitive and Special Areas

A number of marine and coastal areas within Eastern Newfoundland have been designated as being sensitive or otherwise special. Some of these are formally protected or designated under provincial, federal and/or other legislation and processes due to their ecological, historical and/or socio-cultural characteristics and importance. These include, for example, the following:

 Provincial Ecological Reserves (Cape St. Mary’s, Baccalieu Island, Fortune Head, Funk Island, Lawn Islands Archipelago, Mistaken Point, Witless Bay);

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 Provincial Parks and Protected Areas (Bellevue Beach, Chance Cove, Deadman’s Bay, Dildo Run, The Dungeon, Frenchman’s Cove, Gooseberry Cove, Marine Drive, Windmill Bight and others);

 Terra Nova National Park;

 National Historic Sites (The Ryan Premises, Signal Hill, Cape Spear, Castle Hill and others);

 Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks, Northeast Shelf and Slope, Lilly Canyon-Carson Canyon, Virgin Rocks);

 Eastport Marine Protected Area;

 Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary;

 Fisheries Closures Areas (Orphan Knoll Seamount, Corner Seamounts, NAFO Coral Closures);

 Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and Important Coral Areas; and

 Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

These and other such areas were identified, mapped and described throughout Chapter 4, and the potential for interactions with, and effects on, these areas resulting from future oil and gas activities in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area are given particular attention in the SEA.

This VEC focuses on marine and coastal areas in Eastern Newfoundland that have existing designations as being particularly important and/or sensitive locations, which may or may not be located directly within the SEA Study Area itself. Other areas that have been identified as being particularly important and/or sensitive from a purely ecological perspective (such as fish spawning areas, bird colonies) or for fishing activity have been considered and assessed integrally within the Fish and Fish Habitat, Marine Birds, Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles and/or Commercial Fisheries VECs themselves.

5.4.1 Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects

Environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and identified sensitive (including protected) areas may again be both direct and indirect in nature and cause. The conduct of oil and gas exploration activities directly within or near such areas may, for example, have adverse implications for these locations and their important and defining ecological and socio-cultural characteristics. These interactions may occur through the possible presence of oil and gas exploration or production equipment, personnel and activities in the area, as well as the associated routine emissions and resulting disturbances that may occur in nearby environments.

Biophysical effects resulting from oil and gas or other human activities within the SEA Study Area may also “spread” to adjacent protected and otherwise important and sensitive areas by affecting the marine fish, birds, mammals or other environmental components that move to and through the area. Although unlikely to occur, any large oil spill in the marine environment may, depending upon its magnitude, location and oceanographic conditions, also extend to other areas, potentially affecting these areas and

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 426 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment their associated environmental components and characteristics. Any resulting decrease in the real or perceived integrity of these areas in the short or long term may also affect their ecological and/or societal importance and value. This may, in turn, have important implications for the communities and economies that depend on any such areas and their associated tourism activities and recreational opportunities.

5.4.2 Environmental Mitigation Measures and Planning Considerations

For formally protected areas, oil and gas related activities may be prohibited or otherwise restricted, pursuant to applicable legislation, to avoid or reduce the potential for negative effects on these areas.

For other important and sensitive areas, a number of environmental protection measures and procedures are typically used in the NL Offshore Area to avoid or reduce the possible adverse effects of offshore oil and gas activities on the marine (biophysical) environment, including both planned activities and potential accidental events. These have been listed and described in Sections 5.1 to 5.3 above, and their implementation would also serve to help address any associated effects on any sensitive environments within or near the SEA Study Area.

These and/or other required mitigation measures would be determined on a project-specific basis, through the individual regulatory reviews of proposed exploration (seismic or drilling) and/or production projects. Again, any individual, proposed oil and gas exploration or production projects will also require the receipt of applicable (project-specific) permits and authorizations from all relevant federal and provincial regulatory departments and agencies.

5.5 Commercial Fisheries

Fisheries are an important component of the socioeconomic environment of Newfoundland and Labrador and other parts of Canada. The fishery has played a key role in the region’s history, and thus in shaping its people, communities and overall culture. It continues to be an essential element of the economy and lifestyles of the people that live in these areas. Numerous individuals and organizations depend on fish harvesting and its associated processing and spin-off industries, with many residents participating in recreational fishing as an important aspect of their culture and overall way of life.

5.5.1 Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects

As a result of the nature, location, timing and intensity of marine fishing activity in the SEA Study Area and surrounding marine environments, and because the operating season for many oil and gas activities also inevitably coincides with that for fishing, the potential exists for interactions between these two sectors. These interactions may again be both direct and indirect in nature, resulting from possible interactions between, and damage to, fishing equipment during offshore oil and gas activities, or through necessary restrictions on fishing activity at certain locations and times for safety reasons. These interruptions may, in turn, have economic implications for fishers, both in terms of the direct costs of replacing or repairing any fishing gear affected, as well as possible lost or reduced fishing income due to required changes in the location and timing of their fishing activity (such as reduced fishing activity, lower catch rates, increased cost and time to travel to and fish at alternate locations). Also, any environmental effects resulting from oil and gas activities that have implications for the presence, abundance, distribution or health of fish resources in an area may also have important implications for the fishers that depend on these resources for their livelihoods.

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Most of the available information and insights regarding potential interactions between marine fisheries and the offshore oil and gas industry has been gathered through consultations with fishers and other individuals and organizations that are involved in the fishing industry. This includes the public and stakeholder consultation activities undertaken as part of this SEA (as described in Chapter 2 and Appendix A), as well as in other SEAs and project-specific EAs for oil and gas exploration and development projects off Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere. These consultations have identified damage to gear, loss of access and associated logistics, reduced fish catches (quantity and/or value), biophysical effects on fish (including real or perceived tainting) and subsequent reductions in fish landings and value, and oil spills as the primary issues of concern.

Offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities have been occurring in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area and elsewhere for decades. The views and insights of those involved in the fishing industry as a result of their experiences to date, therefore, provide an important source of “existing knowledge” regarding potential issues and effects, mitigation measures and their effectiveness, and other factors relevant to the planning and possible conduct of future offshore oil and gas activities in the SEA Study Area.

The main potential interactions between offshore oil and gas activities (including seismic vessels and equipment, exploration and production platforms, and associated supply vessel traffic) and marine fisheries may therefore be summarized as follows:

 Damage to fishing gear or vessels as a result of direct interactions with oil and gas related equipment, activities and/or environmental discharges;

 Loss of access to preferred fishing areas and travel routes during offshore exploration or production activities, and possible resulting decreases in fishing success and overall efficiency;

 Indirect effects on fish landings and values due to possible biophysical effects on fish resources and their habitats (including fish abundance, distribution or quality); and

 The potential effects of offshore oil spills on fishing activity, equipment and fish resources and the resulting implications for fishers and their livelihoods and communities.

Damage to fishing gear or vessels can result from physical contact with seismic vessels, drill rigs, production platforms or equipment and vessels supporting oil and gas exploration or production. Project-related discharges into the marine environment, such as small spills and materials lost from vessels or drill rigs can also damage or foul fishing gear. In addition to the direct costs of fixing or replacing any damaged fishing vessels or gear, further economic loss might also result from any associated reduction in fishing times or catches.

Loss of access to fishing grounds can occur when safety zones are required and established around exploration drilling activities or during similar periods of disruption during active seismic survey work. The nature, spatial extent, duration and possible implications of any such restrictions depends on the type, location, timing and other characteristics of the offshore oil and gas project or activity in question, as well as the nature and scale of fishing activity that currently occurs in the area. The safety (no- fishing) zones that are typically established around offshore drilling operations are usually quite small in size, although for certain fisheries that use longline gear or others the exclusion zone may have to be

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 428 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment larger. The requirement to fish in and/or travel through alternative areas during these periods can have implications for catch rates and the cost and efficiency of fishing activity as well.

The possible biophysical effects of offshore oil and gas activities on fish resources (Section 5.1) may also indirectly affect fishing activity. The potential effects of seismic surveys on the presence, abundance and distribution (spatial and temporal) of commercial fish species has been raised as a concern, and the scientific literature and anecdotal reports have not always provided consistent and conclusive results on this issue (see Table 5.1). Drilling operations may also affect fish and fish habitat through behavioural effects, fish health, taint, toxicity and bioaccumulation and the smothering of benthic habitats. Any such biophysical effects to fish and fish habitat could result in a subsequent loss of fish catch or catch value. Even where there is a low potential for, or occurrence, of such effects, perceived effects by the public (fish quality, taint) can affect economic returns from the fishery (although this is much more likely to occur after a large oil spill than as a result of routine offshore activities).

The most important potential effects from major oil spills in the marine environment are extended loss of access to fishing grounds, damage to fishing equipment, fish mortality and tainting, and associated economic effects due to loss of industry value and markets.

In addition to the potential negative effects on marine fisheries discussed above, the fishing industry can also at times benefit from any increased communications and emergency response capabilities that may result from the further development and growth of an offshore oil and gas industry (exploration and/or production) in a region.

5.5.2 Environmental Mitigation Measures

A number of procedures and other measures have been used in the NL Offshore Area and elsewhere to avoid or reduce possible interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine fisheries and the potential adverse effects of same.

Ensuring the safety of offshore personnel and equipment working in both the fishing and oil and gas industries is a primary concern and objective. The establishment of safety (no-fishing) zones around offshore oil and gas installations and in areas of high vessel traffic helps to minimize the potential for negative interactions between oil and gas activities and the fishing industry. Typically, no-fishing zones are relatively small in size, but again this depends on the nature of the installation and activity and the adjacent fisheries. If a series of wells are to be drilled in a given area, a sequential approach to drilling is often used for logistical reasons (such as rig availability and mobilization), which also helps minimize the total area affected through loss of access to fishing grounds at any one time.

Consultation and communication between offshore oil and gas operators, government departments and agencies and the fishing industry in planning and implementing offshore seismic surveys and drilling programs is by far the most effective mechanism for avoiding interactions. Notices to Mariners and other methods have been used to get timely information about offshore oil and gas activities to fishers and other organizations. Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) positions have also been established by oil and gas operators to serve as an essential link for on-going communication with the fishing industry during offshore programs. These FLOs are often local fishers who are hired and placed on-board offshore oil and gas installations and vessels, whose responsibilities include communicating with fishing vessels, as well as proposing alternative routes to operator to avoid important fishing areas and activities. The use of established and common marine traffic routes by support and supply vessels where possible can

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 429 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment also help minimize disturbances to and effects on the fishing industry. Oil and gas related vessels are typically made aware of the nature of, and key locations and times for, fishing activity in the region, as a further precaution and for planning purposes to potentially use alternate routes around fishing grounds at peak times.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, a unique (and effective) model has been developed to facilitate communication and cooperation between the offshore fishing and petroleum sectors. One Ocean was established in 2002 as a voluntary, inter-industry liaison organization providing a neutral and practical medium for information exchange. This model promotes mutual awareness and understanding of industry operational activities and its proactive approach to address areas of potential concern is enhanced though its commitment to cooperation and transparency. The organization consists of a Chairperson, Director, Industry Board and Working Group. The One Ocean Industry Board is a core component of the organization and is comprised of equal, senior-level representation from the two industry sectors. Fishing industry members are represented by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP). Oil and gas industry members are affiliates of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). Official Observers on the Board include the C-NLOPB, DFO, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and the CCG. Additional information can be obtained from the One Ocean website, at http://www.oneocean.ca

The C-NLOPB’s Geophysical, Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical Program Guidelines (C- NLOPB 2012) include various requirements and other measures related to environmental planning, mitigation, monitoring and reporting which are intended to help avoid or reduce the potential for interactions with other ocean users, including associated scheduling, operational planning and communications, gear and/or vessel damage compensation programs, and incident documentation and reporting. The various mitigation measures to avoid or reduce the potential environmental (biophysical) effects of offshore oil and gas activities on fish and fish habitat that were highlighted in Section 5.1 can also serve to help address any indirect effects on marine fisheries.

A key and recurring concern pertains to the potential effects of a large oil spill on the marine environment, and thus, on fishing activity and the livelihoods of fishers and communities. The prevention of oil spills has been and is a major priority for the C-NLOPB and other agencies and organizations, as well as for offshore drilling operators who are required to develop plans which outline procedures for preventing and effectively responding to such spills.

The regulatory reviews of proposed offshore drilling programs typically include an analysis of possible oil spill types and probabilities, as well as detailed modelling of the likely fate and behaviour of hypothetical spills based on project and site specific factors, including hydrocarbon types and properties, water depths and characteristics, currents and other oceanographic conditions and patterns. This information and analysis is then used in assessing and evaluating the potential for, and likely nature and magnitude of, interactions between any such spill and fishing activities, for use in project planning and associated regulatory decisions around whether and how the particular drilling program in question may proceed.

As part of the regulatory review and approval process that apply to offshore drilling activities in the NL Offshore Area, operators are also expected to demonstrate that they have the ability and capacity to undertake such activities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. This includes the development and implementation of systematic and comprehensive oil spill prevention plans and

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 430 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures, as well as ensuring that they have the ability to respond to a spill event in an effective and timely manner, should one occur. The C-NLOPB committed to completing a review of the producing operator’s assessment of their spill response capability. Although the review is complete, the C-NLOPB endeavours to have operators improve oil spill response, including techniques and equipment for responding to a spill.

Should the above measures be unsuccessful in preventing adverse environmental effects to marine fisheries or other components of the socioeconomic environment (such as gear damage due to interference with seismic streamers, or in the unlikely event of a large offshore oil spill in the area), a variety of processes and measures exist to compensate fishers and others for losses or damages related to offshore oil and gas activity. These are listed in the C-NLOPB’s Compensation Guidelines Respecting Damages Relating to Offshore Petroleum Activity and elsewhere, and were described in some detail in Chapter 3 of this report.

5.5.3 Environmental Planning Considerations

Based on available information regarding marine fisheries in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area and adjacent regions, the following sections summarize a number of key planning considerations which may help to inform planning and decision-making regarding future exploration licencing and the design and conduct of any future associated oil and gas activities in the region. This includes highlighting particular fishing activities, areas and times which may be considered in such planning, to help avoid or reduce potential interactions between the oil and gas and fishing sectors within the SEA Study Area.

As illustrated and described in Chapter 4, a variety of commercial fisheries occur within and throughout the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area and adjacent regions throughout the year, and the region is characterized by a somewhat complex spatial and temporal pattern of fishing activity. This, along with the rather dynamic nature of the fishery over time (as emphasized during SEA consultations with local fishers, see Appendix A), makes it somewhat difficult to be specific about any particular locations and times which should be avoided or in which activities should be otherwise planned or restricted.

On-going communication between offshore oil and gas operators and the fishing industry, through the various processes and forums described above, has been and remains the most effective means for ensuring that such activities are carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, avoiding or reducing adverse interactions between the oil and gas and fishing sectors. Notices to Mariners and other communications, the use of FLOs, the representation of Eastern Newfoundland fishers by the FFAW and the One Ocean initiative have been particularly useful in creating and maintaining open and on-going dialogue between these two industries, and in fostering a proactive and cooperative approach to identifying and addressing any issues or concerns.

5.6 Cumulative Environmental Effects

The environment of the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area – including fish and fish habitat, marine birds, marine mammals and sea turtles, sensitive and special areas, fisheries and other components – has been influenced by a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. These include past and on-going fishing activity, oil and gas exploration and development projects, vessel traffic and other human activities, as well as effects of climate change and other biophysical processes, all of which are reflected in the existing (baseline) environmental setting of the region as described in Chapter 4. These previous, on-going, and future activities and processes will continue to affect the environmental

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 431 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment conditions and characteristics of the region, in combination with each other and with possible future oil and gas exploration and development projects in the area.

Information on the specific nature, intensity and spatial and temporal distribution of potential offshore exploration (seismic and drilling) activities and possible production projects in the SEA Study Area and their environmental effects is not available at this early stage. The likely level and location of any future exploration in the area (as reflected, for example, in the current C-NLOPB Call for Bids, see Chapter 3), and the relatively short-term nature of these individual actions, will however mean that many individual projects would likely be separated in space and time. This will, of course, depend on the eventual intensity and spatial and temporal distribution of these activities (including with respect to each other and existing oil production operations), their respective environmental effects and their zones of influence. The relatively long-term nature of offshore oil and gas production projects at particular locations also increases the probability that their effects will interact with other offshore activities at some point in time.

Oceanographic conditions and processes, such as large scale water movements to, from and throughout the SEA Study Area, as well as good sound propagation in certain areas (especially the deeper channels), may extend the spatial extent of environmental disturbances and thus, the potential for cumulative effects. The widespread and migratory nature of many species of fish, birds, marine mammals and turtles also increases the potential for individuals or populations to be affected by multiple perturbations, and therefore, for cumulative environmental effects to occur. Sensitive and special areas, commercial fisheries and other human activities may also be subject to multiple types and levels of stressors from a variety of sources, both on-going and potential.

The nature, magnitude and spatial and temporal distribution of any environmental effects from planned future offshore oil and gas projects would have to be assessed and evaluated through project-specific analyses as part of individual EA reviews. Avoiding or reducing such overlap between offshore oil and gas exploration and development projects and/or with other unrelated activities in the region (and therefore, any resulting cumulative effects) can and should therefore be considered in planning and reviewing any individual projects and activities as they are defined and proposed.

5.7 Information Availability, Requirements and Opportunities

The marine environment of the SEA Study Area is large, complex and dynamic, with environmental conditions changing over time through various natural and/or anthropogenic processes and influences. Furthermore, the marine biota within these systems are linked to one another and their habitats, resulting in complex system of interactions and ever evolving environmental characteristics. Influenced by human activities such as fishing and a changing climate, the marine biota have been subject to considerable, ecosystem-wide changes (regime shifts) in recent times.

In terms of fish and fish habitat, although the SEA Study Area has been relatively well studied overall, the difficulty of studying offshore species and the inherent complexity of the system leaves various key information gaps, even in relatively well researched elements. There is a particular paucity of available data from deep water habitats beyond the continental slope. Even within some of the more well studied areas (such as the shelf and upper slope), there remains a somewhat poor understanding of many species that are not of commercial importance. For example, studies of benthic invertebrate communities are few, and have been limited to very small scales and areas. Such studies, while extremely valuable, do not lend themselves well to characterizing overall regions, components and key

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 432 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment relationships that have implications throughout the food chain, depending on a particular species’ particular ecological role and importance. Similarly, many of the large pelagics that use the SEA Study Area seasonally are also not well understood, but are not easily studied and tracked under current monitoring initiatives (e.g. RV surveys) and operate at large spatial scales that are influenced by many ecological and anthropogenic phenomena.

Although detailed information on the occurrence, abundance and distribution of marine birds and particular species is not available for all locations and times throughout the SEA Study Area, some overall environmental characteristics and trends can be identified and highlighted which are appropriate for an SEA level of analysis and which would be relevant to the planning and conduct of any future oil and gas activities in the region. Overall, however, there continues to be a relatively limited amount of specific and up to date regional information available on the number and spatial and temporal distribution of avifauna offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere in Eastern Canada. The CWS has reinvigorated efforts to monitor eastern seabird species at sea (ECSAS). The ECSAS monitoring program is ongoing, and the Working Group is in the process of developing a publically available interactive online Atlas of seabird density and distribution that will provide more up-to-date information on the status of marine birds in the region.

Operators may also develop and implement operational monitoring programs during offshore programs, which have included bird monitoring during exploration activities off Newfoundland and Labrador. CWS has developed a pelagic seabird monitoring protocol (Gjerdrum et al 2012) that is recommended for use by trained and experienced observers on all offshore projects. A guide to the pelagic seabirds of Atlantic Canada is also available for assistance in identifying these avifauna. A report on any such seabird monitoring program and its results is submitted to the C-NLOPB within one year after its completion. Any and all information gathered through such observations would, over time, also contribute to an expanded information and knowledge base regarding the presence, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of marine birds in the SEA Study Area. The Final Report for the 3.5 year ESRF Offshore Seabird Monitoring Program (Fifield et al 2009b) provides a number of recommendations to ensure a current, reliable and comparable body of data from diverse industry and government sources for marine birds in Eastern Canada, including following the standardized monitoring protocol and analytical techniques developed by CWS for the ECSAS program (Gjerdrum et al 2012), and using observers trained in seabird observation techniques. Oil and gas operators can also contact the Canadian Wildlife Service to obtain and use any additional, up-to-date data on marine birds that may have become available since the publication of the SEA. Additional research on methods to detect bird collisions with oil and gas installations, and the effectiveness of associated measures to avoid or reduce such interactions, would also help to better predict and manage these issues for future projects and activities and to help ensure compliance with relevant legislation, such as the Canadian Migratory Birds Convention Act.

For the purposes of the SEA and the scale of its associated analysis, there is also a degree of existing and available information on the occurrence and distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles in the region which will be relevant to future licencing decisions, as well as to the planning and conduct of any future oil and gas activities. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) maintains an ongoing database for marine mammal and sea turtle sightings off Eastern Canada, and in 2007 conducted a rigorous aerial survey program of the waters off Eastern Canada (Lawson and Gosselin 2009). However, these surveys were conducted in a limited temporal window (mid July to late August), and a larger body of surveys is needed to provide adequate spatial and temporal/seasonal data on marine-associated species in the waters in this region. A lack of specific information and knowledge regarding biologically

C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502 Page 433 Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment essential behaviour for marine mammals and associated areas and times has also been identified as an issue.

Again, offshore operators may also develop and implement operational monitoring programs during offshore programs, which have included marine mammal monitoring during exploration activities off Newfoundland and Labrador. Marine mammal monitoring and reporting protocols are outlined in Environmental Studies Research Fund (ESRF) Report #156 (2004), and a report on any such monitoring program and its results is submitted to the C-NLOPB within one year of its completion. Again, any past, on-going and future operational monitoring programs for marine mammals and sea turtles will, over time, contribute to the overall knowledge base regarding the presence, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of these species in the SEA Study Area. The use of qualified and experienced marine mammal observers and procedures will further increase the quality and utility of the resulting information. Given the considerable scientific and stakeholder interest in these species, other government and industry-funded research programs may also consider focussing on marine mammals and sea turtles in the general region in the future (e.g., those conducted through the ESRF, the Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD), or Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador (PRNL)).

For those areas that are formally designated as important, sensitive or protected under federal or provincial government legislation or other means, there is information available regarding their presence, location, size and important ecological and/or socioeconomic features and value, for consideration and planning, assessing and implementing any future oil and gas or other human activities in the region. Most of these areas have also been subject to considerable study and analysis as part of the processes that led up to their designation, as well as since then. Although, as illustrated and described in Sections 4.2.1 - 4.2.4, a number of other areas have also been identified as being of special interest or sensitivity, comparable types and levels of information on the locations and characteristics of these sites is often not readily available, although this varies considerably between locations.

An information base is available regarding fishing activity in the SEA Study Area, particularly for the commercial fisheries which are managed, regulated and monitored by DFO and which involve fish harvests that are landed in Canadian ports. Although the resulting information and datasets are not always entirely complete or comprehensive for all fisheries and species, they do provide a regional picture of fishing activity in the region that is considered adequate and appropriate for the purposes of the SEA and for informing future licencing decisions and the design and review of individual offshore oil and gas projects. It is imperative that this information continue to be made available in a useful format and timely manner to government agencies and offshore operators. These existing data sets and other available information, supplemented by continued dialogue and information-sharing involving fishers and their representative organizations and other industry groups, provide useful information for such planning and decision-making.

In summary, through the SEA some key environmental characteristics and trends for the SEA Study Area have been identified and highlighted, based on existing and available information sources, which are appropriate for an SEA level of analysis. This information may also be relevant to the planning and review of any future proposed oil and gas activities in the region, which may also require additional and location-specific environmental information and analyses.

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6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The C-NLOPB is responsible, on behalf of the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, for petroleum resource management in the NL Offshore Area. The Board's regulatory responsibilities include the administration and issuance of specific licences, authorizations and approvals pertaining to offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities in the region. As part of these processes, the C-NLOPB has been undertaking SEAs of portions of the NL Offshore Area in which the issuance of Exploration Licences could be contemplated and which have not been subject to substantial levels of previous, project-based EAs.

This report comprises an SEA for the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area, which provides information on the existing environment within the SEA Study Area and identifies and highlights key environmental features and considerations which may be associated with future oil and gas activities in the region. In doing so, the SEA is intended to help inform future licencing decisions regarding offshore oil and gas activities in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area. This Chapter presents a summary of the key findings and conclusions of the SEA.

Based on the nature of past, on-going and potential future oil and gas activities in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area (Chapter 3), and the existing biophysical environment and human activities in the region (Chapter 4), the SEA has identified and discussed key environmental features, sensitivities and potential interactions and issues (Chapter 5) which may be relevant to future oil and gas related licencing decisions. These are summarized in the sections that follow, for each of the following VECs:

 Fish and Fish Habitat;  Marine Birds;  Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles;  Species at Risk and Other Key Species;  Sensitive and Special Areas; and  Commercial Fisheries

Detailed information and mapping for key aspects of each of the VECs listed above is provided in Chapter 4 of this SEA Report, which should be reviewed for specific information and analysis. The Figures that follow provide an overview of some select, key environmental features and locations as a summary, where these are known and are “mappable” from the existing and available data.

6.1 Fish and Fish Habitat (Including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)

A number of fish species that are designated as being at risk and are formally protected under the SARA and/or the NL ESA are known or likely to occur in the SEA Study Area, including several species of wolffish and the white shark. Three wolffish species (striped, northern and spotted) occur in the area, each of which are associated with continental slope areas and whose key habitats include one or more of the Northeast Shelf and Slope EBSA, the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks EBSA, and the Bonavista Corridor. The white shark is not common in the area and its habitat is not well defined, although it is likely to inhabit the region during the warm water season. In addition to those that are legally protected, there are a number of other species that are considered to be of special conservation concern by organizations such as COSEWIC, including species that occur along the Grand Banks, the continental shelf and the continental slope.

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A number of other particularly important and/or sensitive species, areas and times related to fish and fish habitat have been identified through the SEA (Figure 6.1), both from the available literature and other datasets as well as through the consultation program. These include the following, which may be considered in future planning and decision-making regarding offshore oil and gas activities in the region:

 EBSAs which are located within or overlap the SEA Study Area;

 Sensitive coastal areas and habitats that are adjacent to the SEA Study Area, such as the Eastport Marine Protected Area, eelgrass fish nurseries and estuaries for diadromous fish, and other EBSAs.

 Areas of relatively high plankton productivity, including the waters on the shelf and the shelf break, the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA and the Frontal Extrusion Zone. Phytoplankton blooms are at their height in the spring, with zooplankton peaking in abundance shortly after.

 Key areas for benthic organisms (some of which are economically valuable species), which are most prevalent in the colder, more northern portions of the SEA Study Area on the shelf edge, and in other areas such as the Tail of the Grand Banks.

 Deep sea coral, seamount and sponge areas which have been identified and delineated by DFO and NAFO, including protection zones on the slopes of the Flemish Cap, the Orphan Knoll and the southeast slope of the Grand Banks with additional high density sponge and coral areas having been identified along the slopes of the continental shelf in the Orphan Basin.

 The migration routes and times of key species, such as Atlantic cod which move inshore during summer and retreat to waters at the edge of the continental shelf in the winter.

 Species with habitat requirements and restrictions that limit them to a small portion of the area, such as the single nursery area for the entire yellowtail flounder stock that is found in the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA.

 Area of identified high values for fish in terms of abundance, biomass and species richness, based on DFO research vessel catches, including the edge of the continental shelf near the Flemish Pass and the northern portions of the Orphan Basin for both abundance and biomass, as well as additional “hotspots” at the Tail of the Grand Banks, Flemish Pass, Orphan Basin and Bonavista Corridor area.

 The Bonavista Cod Box, which has been recognized as a key area for fish and is an important migratory pathway for Atlantic cod.

 Other areas of known importance as nurseries and spawning grounds, such as the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks. Although spawning activities and periods vary considerably between species, spring appears to be a key spawning time for many species that use the SEA Study Area.

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Figure 6.1 Summary of Select Environmental Components

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6.2 Marine Birds (Including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)

Several marine bird and landbird species that are currently designated as being at risk (and which are therefore protected) under SARA and/or the NL ESA do or may occur in the SEA Study Area for at least part of the year and have the potential to interact with offshore activities. These include:

 Seabirds: Ivory Gull (SARA and NL ESA: endangered);

 Waterfowl: Harlequin Duck (eastern population SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) and Barrow’s Goldeneye (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable);

 Shorebirds: Red Knot (rufa subspecies; SARA and NL ESA: endangered); Piping Plover (SARA and NL ESA: endangered)

 Landbirds: Peregrine Falcon (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable); Short-eared Owl (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable); Gray-cheeked Thrush (NL ESA: vulnerable); Olive-sided Flycatcher (SARA and NL ESA: threatened).

In addition to those that are legally protected, there are a number of other species that are considered to be of special conservation concern by COSEWIC, namely the Buff-breasted Sandpiper (special concern), Bank Swallow (threatened) and Bobolink (threatened). Several additional species at risk may migrate over the offshore area, but, as diurnal migrants are unlikely to be affected by offshore activities. These include the Rusty Blackbird (SARA: special concern and NL ESA: vulnerable) and the Chimney Swift (SARA and NL ESA: threatened).

During the summer breeding season, the greatest abundance of seabirds is concentrated around nesting colonies, although some areas (such as the Grand Banks) support large numbers of feeding seabirds year-round. Winter is a particularly sensitive time for alcids (auks), as they spend most of their time on the water’s surface. In the fall (staging) and winter period, sea ducks can be found in large numbers in coastal waters, with high concentrations in various locations, and the endangered Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye are often found in coastal waters outside of the breeding season. Many species of shorebirds utilize a variety of coastal habitats including sandy mudflats, saltmarshes and river outlets in Eastern Newfoundland during their southward migration, with peak abundance typically occurring in July to October. For migrating landbirds, the spring and fall months are most important. Particularly sensitive times for potential effects on migratory birds include the spring (April to June) and fall (July to October) migration periods.

6.3 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (Including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)

A total of five federally listed marine mammal species at risk and one listed sea turtle are known to or may occur in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area:

 Blue whale - Atlantic population;  North Atlantic right whale;  Sowerby’s beaked whale;  Northern bottlenose whale - Scotian Shelf population;  Fin whale - Atlantic population; and  Leatherback turtle -Atlantic population.

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Four additional populations that do or may occur in the SEA Study Area have been assessed by COSEWIC but do not have formal protection under SARA: Northern bottlenose whale (Davis Strait population); killer whale (Northwest Atlantic and Eastern Arctic populations); Harbour porpoise (Northwest Atlantic population); and loggerhead sea turtle (Atlantic Ocean population). A third sea turtle species, the Kemp’s ridley, is not federally listed but is considered by the IUCN to be critically endangered.

A number of EBSAs have been identified by DFO for various ecological reasons, which in some cases includes their use by and importance to marine mammals. Critical habitat has been identified in the federal Recovery Strategies for several of the above listed marine mammal species at risk, but no such critical habitat is located within the SEA Study Area itself. For the leatherback turtle, three important feeding habitat areas have been identified, including the waters south and east of the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland, including parts of Placentia Bay. It is possible that these areas will be designated as critical habitat in a forthcoming update of the species’ federal Recovery Strategy. Although several species are year-round residents, cetaceans and reptiles are most likely to occur in the SEA Study Area during the summer months, and most pinnipeds are of highest abundance in the winter.

6.4 Sensitive and Special Areas

A number of marine and coastal areas within and adjacent to Eastern Newfoundland have been designated as being sensitive or otherwise special, including (Figure 6.2):

 Provincial Ecological Reserves  Provincial Parks and Protected Areas;  Terra Nova National Park;  National Historic Sites;  Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas;  Eastport Marine Protected Area;  Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary;  Fisheries Closures Areas;  Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and Important Coral Areas; and  Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Some of these are formally protected or designated under provincial, federal and/or other legislation and processes due to their ecological, historical and/or socio-cultural characteristics and importance.

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Figure 6.2 Summary of Sensitive and Special Areas

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6.5 Commercial Fisheries

Marine fisheries are an integral component of the socioeconomic environment of Newfoundland and Labrador and other parts of Canada, including the various communities and regions that extend along the coastline of Eastern Newfoundland and elsewhere in the province. Fishing activity in the SEA Study Area during the 2008 to 2012 period occurred throughout the year, with the highest landings by weight occurring in the summer (May - August) period, which also accounted for approximately 75 percent of the total value of fish harvested. The current commercial fishery is largely dominated shrimp and crab, and to a lesser extent finfish species such as turbot, with very few other species accounting for greater than five percent of fishery in terms of landed weight and/or value. Various types of fishing gear are used to harvest fish and shellfish in the waters off Eastern Newfoundland.

Figures 6.3 and 6.4 give a summary illustration of the overall distribution and intensity of commercial fishing activity throughout the SEA Study Area for the period 2008-2012. The maps are based on the number of “fishing data points” within each grid square as contained in the fisheries dataset provided by DFO, both for the entire year and by season.

6.6 Information Availability, Requirements and Opportunities

With regard to fish and fish habitat. although the SEA Study Area has been relatively well studied overall, there is a particular paucity of available data from deep water habitats beyond the continental slope, as well as for other species that are not of commercial importance. Detailed information on the occurrence, abundance and distribution of marine birds, mammals and sea turtles is not available for all locations and times throughout the SEA Study Area, although some overall environmental characteristics and trends can be identified and highlighted. Overall, however, there continues to be a relatively limited amount of specific and up to date information available on the number and spatial and temporal distribution of these species offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Operators may develop and implement operational monitoring programs during offshore programs, in accordance with standard and accepted protocols, which would, over time, also contribute to an expanded information and knowledge base regarding the presence, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of marine biota in the SEA Study Area. A lack of specific information and knowledge regarding biologically essential behaviour for marine mammals and associated areas and times has also been identified as an issue.

An information base is available regarding fishing activity in the SEA Study Area particularly for the commercial fisheries which are managed, regulated and monitored by DFO. Although the DFO datasets are known to not be entirely comprehensive, particularly with regard to important inshore fisheries, this information provides a useful regional picture of fishing activity in the area that is considered adequate and appropriate for the purposes of the SEA. It is imperative, however, that this information continues to be made available in a useful format and timely manner to government agencies and offshore operators. These existing fisheries data sets and other available information, supplemented by continued dialogue and information-sharing involving fishers and their representative organizations and other industry groups, provide important information for such planning and decision- making.

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Figure 6.3 Summary of Commercial Fishing Distribution and Intensity (2008 - 2012)

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Figure 6.4 Summary of Commercial Fishing Distribution and Intensity by Season (2008 - 2012)

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C-NLOPB Note: Recommendations and conclusions regarding the issuance of rights and any requirement on the restriction of offshore oil and gas activities in the SEA Study Area will be finalized for inclusion in the Eastern Newfoundland SEA Report following the conclusion of the regulatory and public comment period.

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7 REFERENCES

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