Spatial and Temporal Delineation of Ecological Features of the Evangeline-Cape Blomidon-Minas Basin Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA)
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Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Research Document 2018/013 Maritimes Region Spatial and Temporal Delineation of Ecological Features of the Evangeline-Cape Blomidon-Minas Basin Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) Valerie J. Kendall, Patrick L. Stewart, and Heather A. Levy Envirosphere Consultants Limited 120 Morrison Drive Windsor, Nova Scotia, B0N 2T0 March 2018 Foreword This series documents the scientific basis for the evaluation of aquatic resources and ecosystems in Canada. As such, it addresses the issues of the day in the time frames required and the documents it contains are not intended as definitive statements on the subjects addressed but rather as progress reports on ongoing investigations. Research documents are produced in the official language in which they are provided to the Secretariat. 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, 2018 ISSN 1919-5044 Correct citation for this publication: Kendall, V.J., Stewart, P.L., and Levy, H.A. 2018. Spatial and Temporal Delineation of Ecological Features of the Evangeline-Cape Blomidon-Minas Basin Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2018/013. vi + 92 p. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ V RÉSUMÉ .................................................................................................................................. VI INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................1 DEFINED ECOLOGICAL FEATURES FOR THE EVANGELINE-CAPE BLOMIDON-MINAS BASIN EBSA ..............................................................................................................................2 ATLANTIC MUD-PIDDOCK (BARNEA TRUNCATA (SAY 1822)) .......................................... 2 Temporal Distribution ......................................................................................................... 2 Spatial Distribution ............................................................................................................. 2 Data Gaps .......................................................................................................................... 3 REGULAR USE BY ATLANTIC SALMON (SALMO SALAR).................................................. 3 Smolt and Post-smolt Seasonality and Distribution ............................................................. 4 Adult Atlantic Salmon and Kelts Seasonality and Distribution ............................................. 4 Data Gaps .......................................................................................................................... 5 IMPORTANT FEEDING AREA FOR ATLANTIC STURGEON (ACIPENSER OXYRINCHUS) 5 Data Gaps .......................................................................................................................... 6 ATLANTIC HERRING (CLUPEA HARENGUS) SPAWNING AND NURSERY AREAS .......... 7 Data Gaps .......................................................................................................................... 8 REGULAR USE BY AMERICAN EEL (ANGUILLA ROSTRATA) ........................................... 8 Data Gaps .......................................................................................................................... 9 NURSERY/JUVENILE AREA FOR MULTIPLE FISH SPECIES ............................................. 9 Specific Studies .................................................................................................................10 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................11 FEEDING AND MIGRATORY STAGING AREA FOR SHOREBIRDS ...................................11 Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay .........................................................................................12 Minas Passage and Minas Channel ..................................................................................14 Important Bird Areas .........................................................................................................14 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................15 FEEDING AREA FOR RAPTORS, WATERFOWL, AND OTHER MARINE BIRDS ...............15 Raptors .............................................................................................................................15 Seabirds and Waterfowl ....................................................................................................15 Waterfowl Surveys Overall ................................................................................................16 Seabirds and Waterfowl, Outer Minas Basin, Minas Passage and Minas Channel ............16 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................17 OTHER IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EBSA ..................................................... 17 REGULAR USE BY STRIPED BASS ....................................................................................17 Temporal Distribution ........................................................................................................18 Spatial Distribution ............................................................................................................19 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................20 iii MIGRATION ROUTE USED BY MULTIPLE SPECIES .........................................................20 Migrations of Seabirds and Waterfowl ...............................................................................21 Migrations of Fish and Invertebrates .................................................................................21 Seasonal Presence of Fish in Minas Passage ...................................................................23 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................24 KELP BEDS ..........................................................................................................................24 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................24 SALT MARSH, SIGNIFICANT ESTUARIES AND SEA CLIFFS ............................................24 INTERTIDAL FLATS .............................................................................................................25 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................26 BENTHIC COMMUNITY .......................................................................................................27 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................28 OTHER CHARACTERISTICS TO INVESTIGATE ..................................................................... 28 AMERICAN LOBSTER (HOMARUS AMERICANUS) ............................................................28 REGULAR SIGHTINGS OF HARBOUR PORPOISE (PHOCOENA PHOCOENA) ................28 Temporal Distribution ........................................................................................................29 Spatial Distribution ............................................................................................................29 Data Gaps .........................................................................................................................30 LADY CRAB (OVALIPES OCELLATUS) ...............................................................................30 SABELLARIA REEFS ...........................................................................................................30 SPECIES AT RISK ................................................................................................................31 CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................31 REFERENCES CITED ..............................................................................................................31 PERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...............................................................................................42 TABLES ....................................................................................................................................43 FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................58 iv ABSTRACT The southern arm of the inner Bay of Fundy -- a macrotidal marine-estuarine system containing the Minas Channel, Minas Passage, Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay, Nova Scotia -- is an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA), one of a number of EBSAs identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. EBSA is not a legal designation; however, information on ecological features is used in sustainable management of marine resources and activities. The particularly high tides and resulting extreme currents and other