(Ebsas) in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic Region of the Canadian Arctic
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Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Proceedings Series 2015/042 Central and Arctic Region Proceedings of the regional peer review of the re-evaluation of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic Region of the Canadian Arctic January 27-29, 2015 Winnipeg, MB Chairperson: Kathleen Martin Editor: Vanessa Grandmaison and Kathleen Martin Fisheries and Oceans Canada 501 University Crescent Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6 December 2015 Foreword The purpose of these Proceedings is to document the activities and key discussions of the meeting. The Proceedings may include research recommendations, uncertainties, and the rationale for decisions made during the meeting. Proceedings may also document when data, analyses or interpretations were reviewed and rejected on scientific grounds, including the reason(s) for rejection. As such, interpretations and opinions presented in this report individually may be factually incorrect or misleading, but are included to record as faithfully as possible what was considered at the meeting. No statements are to be taken as reflecting the conclusions of the meeting unless they are clearly identified as such. Moreover, further review may result in a change of conclusions where additional information was identified as relevant to the topics being considered, but not available in the timeframe of the meeting. In the rare case when there are formal dissenting views, these are also archived as Annexes to the Proceedings. Published by: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat 200 Kent Street Ottawa ON K1A 0E6 http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/ [email protected] © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2015 ISSN 1701-1280 Correct citation for this publication: DFO. 2015. Proceedings of the regional peer review of the re-evaluation of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic Region of the Canadian Arctic; January 27-29, 2015. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2015/042. TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ iv SOMMAIRE ............................................................................................................................... iv INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 METHODS USED TO IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE ARCTIC EBSAS ..................................... 1 2011 EBSA ............................................................................................................................ 3 EBSA CRITERIA .................................................................................................................... 3 EBSA IN RELATION TO A POLYNYA ................................................................................... 4 PHYSICAL FEATURES ......................................................................................................... 4 BAFFIN BAY/DAVIS STRAIT REGION .................................................................................. 7 NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR SHELVES BIOGEOGRAPHIC REGION EBSAs ........ 8 FROBISHER BAY .................................................................................................................. 8 CUMBERLAND SOUND ........................................................................................................ 8 CLEARWATER FIORD EBSA ............................................................................................ 9 EASTERN CUMBERLAND SOUND EBSA ........................................................................ 9 BAFFIN BAY NEARSHORE ..................................................................................................10 CAPE SEARLE EBSA .......................................................................................................10 ISABELLA BAY EBSA .......................................................................................................10 SCOTT INLET EBSA ........................................................................................................11 NORTHERN BAFFIN ISLAND AREA ....................................................................................11 ECLIPSE SOUND EBSA ...................................................................................................11 ADMIRALTY INLET EBSA ................................................................................................12 WEST OF BAFFIN ISLAND ..................................................................................................13 PRINCE REGENT INLET EBSA .......................................................................................13 CRESWELL BAY EBSA ....................................................................................................13 BELLOT STRAIT EBSA ....................................................................................................14 GULF OF BOOTHIA EBSA ...............................................................................................14 PEEL SOUND EBSA .........................................................................................................14 BARROW STRAIT-LANCASTER SOUND ............................................................................15 LANCASTER SOUND EBSA ............................................................................................15 RESOLUTE PASSAGE EBSA ..........................................................................................16 CUNNINGHAM INLET EBSA ............................................................................................16 PRINCE LEOPOLD ISLAND EBSA ...................................................................................17 NORTHERN REGION ...........................................................................................................17 PENNY STRAIT EBSA ......................................................................................................17 NORTH WATER POLYNYA EBSA ...................................................................................17 EASTERN JONES SOUND EBSA ....................................................................................18 CARDIGAN STRAIT-HELL GATE EBSA ...........................................................................19 NEXT STEPS ........................................................................................................................19 REFERENCES CITED ..............................................................................................................20 APPENDIX 1. TERMS OF REFERENCE ..................................................................................22 APPENDIX 2. PARTICIPANTS .................................................................................................23 APPENDIX 3. AGENDA ............................................................................................................24 iii SUMMARY In 2011, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) identified Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Canadian Arctic including in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic Region. Since then, new information from government and academic research has been published and the process that DFO uses to identify EBSAs has evolved. A regional science advisory meeting was held January 27-29, 2015 at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, MB. The purpose of the meeting was to re-evaluate EBSAs in the Eastern Arctic Biogeographic Region, to identify where the key ecological features are located within each EBSA, and review, modify or refine EBSA boundaries as appropriate. This meeting was conducted at the request of the Oceans Program, and is part of Canada’s ongoing commitment to building a national network of marine protected areas. Participants at the meeting included experts from DFO Science, Oceans programs and Fisheries Management, Parks Canada Agency, Geological Survey of Canada, Université Laval, and Canadian Hydrographic Service. These proceedings summarize the meeting discussions. Additional publications from this process will be posted on the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat website as they become available. Compte rendu de l'examen régional par des pairs sur le réévaluation des zones d’importance écologique et biologique (ZIEB) dans la région biogéographique de l'est de l'Arctique canadien SOMMAIRE En 2011, Pêches et Océans Canada (MPO) a désigné des zones d'importance écologique et biologique (ZIEB) dans l'Arctique canadien, notamment dans la région biogéographique de l'est de l'Arctique. Depuis, de nouvelles données issues de recherches gouvernementales et universitaires ont été publiées et le processus suivi par le MPO pour désigner les ZIEB a évolué. Une réunion de consultation scientifique régionale a été tenue du 27 au 29 janvier 2015 à l'Institut des eaux douces de Winnipeg, au Manitoba. L'objectif de cette réunion était de réévaluer les ZIEB dans la région biogéographique de l'est de l'Arctique afin de déterminer où se situent les principales caractéristiques écologiques au sein de chaque ZIEB, et d'examiner, modifier ou préciser les limites des ZIEB le cas échéant. Cette réunion a été organisée à la demande du Programme des océans. Elle témoigne de l'engagement continu du Canada à la construction d'un réseau national d'aires marines protégées. Les participants à la réunion comprenaient des experts du