C S a S S C C S

C S A S S C C S

Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Secrétariat canadien de consultation scientifique

Research Document 2007/052 Document de recherche 2007/052

Not to be cited without Ne pas citer sans permission of the authors * autorisation des auteurs *

Placentia Bay-Grand Banks Large Zones d’importance écologique ou Ocean Management Area Ecologically biologique dans la zone étendue de and Biologically Significant Areas gestion des océans de la baie de Plaisance et des Grands bancs

N.D. Templeman

Science Branch Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre Fisheries and Oceans Canada P.O. Box 5667 St. John’s NL A1C 5X1

* This series documents the scientific basis for the * La présente série documente les bases evaluation of fisheries resources in Canada. As scientifiques des évaluations des ressources such, it addresses the issues of the day in the halieutiques du Canada. Elle traite des time frames required and the documents it problèmes courants selon les échéanciers contains are not intended as definitive statements dictés. Les documents qu’elle contient ne on the subjects addressed but rather as progress doivent pas être considérés comme des énoncés reports on ongoing investigations. définitifs sur les sujets traités, mais plutôt comme des rapports d’étape sur les études en cours.

Research documents are produced in the official Les documents de recherche sont publiés dans language in which they are provided to the la langue officielle utilisée dans le manuscrit Secretariat. envoyé au Secrétariat.

This document is available on the Internet at: Ce document est disponible sur l’Internet à: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas/

ISSN 1499-3848 (Printed / Imprimé) © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2007 © Sa Majesté la Reine du Chef du Canada, 2007

FOREWORD

This document was not formally peer-reviewed under the Department of Fisheries Oceans (DFO) Science Advisory Process coordinated by the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS). However, it is being documented in the CSAS Research Document series as it presents some key scientific information related to the advisory process.

AVANT-PROPOS

Le présent document n’a pas été revu selon le processus consultatif scientifique du ministère des Pêches et des Océans (MPO), coordonné par le Secrétariat canadien de consultation scientifique (SCCS). Cependant, il est intégré à la collection de documents de recherche du SCCS car il présente certains renseignements scientifiques clés, liés au processus consultatif.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this report is to identify Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) for the Placentia Bay-Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area (PBGB LOMA) based on the guidelines in CSAS Ecosystem Status Report 2004/006. The exercise was carried out using information from several key documents that detailed ecosystem overview and status, fish distribution and spawning, and single species assessment. Scientists in the Newfoundland Region also provided input on those areas that they felt could be deemed significant based on their knowledge and experience. The result of these exercises was the identification and description of 11 EBSAs and their significant features, as well as a corresponding map.

RÉSUMÉ

L’objet de ce rapport est de déterminer les zones d’importance écologique et biologique qui font partie de la Zone étendue de gestion des océans de la baie de Plaisance et des Grands bancs, d’après les lignes directrices du rapport sur l’état de l’écosystème 2004/006 du SCCS. L’exercice a été réalisé à l’aide d’information tirée de plusieurs documents principaux qui décrivent en détail les grandes lignes et l’état de l’écosystème, les aires de répartition et de reproduction des poissons et fournissent une évaluation de différentes espèces. Les scientifiques de la Région de Terre-Neuve ont aussi fourni de l’information sur les zones qu’ils jugeaient importantes en se fondant sur leurs connaissances et leur expérience. Le résultat de ces exercices a été la désignation et la description de 11 ZIEB et de leurs caractéristiques importantes, ainsi qu’une carte correspondante.

iii

INTRODUCTION

This report provides a description and results of the processes carried out to identify EBSAs for the PBGB LOMA. Following the approach outlined in CSAS Ecosystem Status Report 2004/006, significant biological and ecological properties of various areas in the LOMA were evaluated for their relevance to the primary dimensions of Uniqueness, Aggregation, and Fitness Consequences, and summarized in an EBSA matrix (Table 1). Information related to the secondary dimensions of Resilience and Naturalness for the EBSAs was also noted within the matrix.

It has been accepted that the evaluation of areas as Ecologically and Biologically Significant can often be biased towards having a higher likelihood of considering data-rich areas to be Ecologically and Biologically Significant than comparatively data-poor areas (DFO 2004). Naturally, the better studied an area, the more likely it will appear to be unique in some way, support high aggregations of a species, or be a site for some functionally important activity.

While there are many areas that do not qualify as EBSAs within this framework, that does not mean they have no ecological or biological importance at all. Rather, such areas may not warrant the enhanced level of protection relative to many other similar areas, or they may be areas that are data deficient. As such, the following list of the EBSAs for the PBGB LOMA are those that could be identified based on the best available information and at a given point in time. In addition, it should be noted that “low priority” areas still possess an ecological or biological significance greater than that of other non-EBSA areas within the LOMA.

METHODS

The identification of EBSAs within the boundaries of the PBGB LOMA was undertaken through a combination of three exercises. First, information which stood out during the composition of the PBGB Ecosystem Overview and Assessment Report (EOAR) was recorded for areas that were noted for having structural and/or functional significance in the PBGB LOMA. Second, a literature search was carried out that led to the identification of several key documents detailing demersal fish distribution across the Grand Banks (Kulka et al. 2003), the distribution and timing of spawning for 10 commercially important species (Ollerhead et al. 2004), the ecological importance of the southern area of the Grand Banks (Fuller and Myers 2004), as well as other species specific research documents (Kulka 2006; Walsh et al. 2001). Finally, using a questionnaire and a map, key scientists in the region where given the opportunity provide input on those areas that they felt could be deemed significant based on their knowledge and experience. Several instances of personal communication with knowledgeable persons provided much useful unpublished information.

Significant species and habitat features identified through the above processes were evaluated to be ‘high’, ‘moderate’ and ‘low’ against the following dimensions:

PRIMARY DIMENSIONS

Uniqueness

Ranked from areas whose characteristics are unique, rare, distinct, and for which alternatives do not exist to areas whose characteristics are widespread with many areas which are similar in most important features. Uniqueness may be considered in regional, national and global context, with increased importance at each scale.

Aggregation

Ranked from areas where: i.) Most individuals of a species are aggregated for some part of the year; ii.) Most individuals use the area for some important function in their life history; iii.) Some structural feature or ecological process occurs with exceptionally high density. To areas where: iv.) Individuals of a species are widespread and even areas of comparatively high density do not contain a substantial portion of the total population; v.) Individuals may congregate to perform a life-history function, but the area in which they perform the function varies substantially over time; vi.) structural property or ecological process occurs in many alternative areas.

Fitness Consequences

Ranked from areas where the life history activity(ies) undertaken make a major contribution to the fitness of the population or species present to areas where the life history activity(ies) undertaken make only marginal contribution to fitness. (Generally applies to functional properties of areas, and in most cases reflects contributions to reproduction and/or survival of a species).

SECONDARY DIMENSIONS

Resilience

From areas where the habitat structures or species are highly sensitive, easily perturbed, and slow to recover to areas where the habitat structures or species are robust, resistant to perturbation, or readily return to the pre-perturbation state.

Naturalness

From areas which are pristine and characterized by native species to areas which are highly perturbed by anthropogenic activities and/or with high abundances of introduced or cultured species.

Areas ranking ‘high’ on even one of the primary dimensions for a single species or habitat feature were considered Ecologically and Biologically Significant.

ANALYSIS

The justification for identifying an area as Ecologically and Biologically Significant is stronger when an area is listed as ‘high’ on several dimensions.

Assigned EBSA site scores derived from the evaluation matrix were based on an assigned value of 1 point for each ‘high’ functional, structural or biodiversity feature related to a primary dimension and ¼ point for each ‘moderate’ functional, structural or biodiversity feature of the same. Dimensions classified as ‘low’ were not included in the final matrix and did not receive any value towards individual site scores. In addition, no scores were given for any of the secondary dimensions since these are to be considered as modifiers in the process of determining priority status for areas that rank similarly on the primary dimensions.

Based on the above scoring regime, EBSAs identified for the PBGB LOMA were listed in order from highest to lowest total score.

Since not all information was based on quantitative data or existing maps (e.g. some marine mammals, some fish, some benthic invertebrates, seabirds and habitat) some inferences had to be made, and EBSAs were mapped (Fig. 1) based on best fit of overlapping distribution, biogeography, and bathymetry.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Based on the available information and in accordance with the criteria for the Identification of EBSAs (DFO 2004), 11 EBSAs were identified and evaluated for the PBGB LOMA, including (in order of significance):

1. The Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks 2. Placentia Bay Extension 3. The Southwest Shelf Edge and Slope 4. St. Pierre Bank 5. Laurentian Channel and Slope 6. Smith Sound 7. Eastern Avalon 8. Lilly Canyon-Carson Canyon 9. Northeast Shelf and Slope 10. Burgeo Bank 11. Virgin Rocks

REFERENCES

DFO. 2004. Identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Ecosystem Status Rep. 2004/006.

Edinger, E., Baker, K., Devillers, R. and Wareham, V. 2007. Coldwater corals off Newfoundland and Labrador - Distribution and fisheries impacts. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report, 41p.

FRCC. 2000. Conservation Requirements for Georges Bank Groundfish Stocks and 2J3KL Cod. Report to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. 35p. Available at: http://www.frcc.ca/NEWSREL/2000/georges.pdf

Fuller, S.D., and Myers, R.A. 2004. The Southern Grand Bank: A marine protected area for the world. World Wildlife Fund Canada. Halifax, Nova Scotia. 99p.

Kulka, D.W. 2006. Abundance and distribution of demersal sharks on the Grand Banks with particular reference to the NAFO regulatory area. NAFO SCR Doc. 06/20.

Kulka, D.W., Antle, M.C., and Simms, J.M. 2003. Spatial analysis of 18 demersal species in relation to petroleum license areas on the Grand Bank (1980-2000). Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2473.

Ollerhead L.M.N., Morgan, M.J., Scruton, D.A., and Marrie, B. 2004. Mapping spawning times and locations for 10 commercially important fish species found on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2522: iv + 45 p.

Walsh, S.J., Simpson, M., Morgan, M.J., Dwyer, K.S., and Stansbury, D. 2001. Distribution of juvenile yellowtail flounder, American plaice and Atlantic cod on the Southern Grand Bank of Newfoundland: a discussion of nursery areas and marine protected areas. NAFO SCR Doc. 01/78.

4 Table 1. Cont’d.

1. Southeast Shoal High- High- Spawning/Breeding- High- Spawning/Breeding- Moderate- Moderate to Low- and Tail of the Banks Spawning/Breeding- Capelin and northern sand Offshore spawning capelin As a shallow While regular (25.5 points) The Southeast Shoal is the lance aggregate on the may be a genetically shoal, the sandy physical only known offshore Southeast Shoal to spawn separate population and bottom habitat that disturbance from Area east of 51°W and spawning site for Capelin (Fuller and Myers 2004; therefore the Southeast dominates the storms of the south of 45°N, (Fuller and Myers 2004; F. Mowbray pers. comm.). Shoal could be considered area is subject to sandy bottom extending to the edge of F. Mowbray pers. comm.). an exclusive spawning area regular physical habitat is common Grand Bank High- Spawning/Breeding- and vital to the fitness of the disturbance by in this area, the High- Nursery/Rearing- The shoal is a spawning area population (F. Mowbray pers. wave action from hydraulic dredging The Southeast shoal is the for several groundfish comm.) storms. So, the that that takes single nursery area of the species (American Plaice, habitat itself is place on the shoal entire stock of Yellowtail Yellowtail Flounder, and High- Feeding- naturally dynamic likely disturbs flounder (Walsh et al. Atlantic Cod) (Fuller and Important seasonal foraging and less sensitive sediment to a 2001). Myers 2004; Ollerhead et al. area for cetaceans to disturbance. greater depth and 2004). (especially humpbacks) and with a different High- Oceanographic seabirds However, the impact than any processes- High- Nursery/Rearing- ecosystem and natural The Southeast Shoal has The Southeast shoal is an High- Biodiversity- many of its disturbance. the warmest bottom water important nursery area for The Tail of the Banks is components have temperatures on the Grand Yellowtail flounder, 3NO Cod, important to the survival of been severely Many of the Banks (Fuller and Myers and American plaice (Walsh the Striped wolffish since it is altered by fishing, resources 2004). et al. 2001). listed by COSEWIC as being which has altered themselves have of “special concern” community and been depleted, High- Oceanographic High- Feeding; (ie…”particularly sensitive to ecosystem with significantly processes- Biodiversity- human activities or natural structure. For lower-than-natural A well-defined gyre exists The presence of important events…”) example, haddock populations of on the Southeast Shoal forage species in the area and Atlantic cod Atlantic cod, draws large aggregations Moderate- Biodiversity- were once American plaice High- Structural Habitat- marine mammals (especially While the Southeast Shoal is abundant in this and capelin, for The Southeast Shoal is humpbacks and northern not important to the survival area but both example. unique in that it is the only bottlenose) and seabirds. of a greater proportion of the species have been shallow sandy offshore total species in the area, it is severely depleted shoal in the LOMA (Fuller High- Feeding- important to the survival and by fishing and and Myers 2004). The greatest concentration of reproduction of several therefore are not Yellowtail flounder, the “degraded” species. The fulfilling the same High- Biodiversity- shallowest groundfish, is area is also important to role in the The Southeast Shoal was found on the Tail of the supporting and maintaining ecosystem as they Banks, extending northwards the diversity of the benthos did in the past.

5 Table 1. Cont’d.

EBSA Site Uniqueness Aggregation Fitness Consequences Sensitivity Naturalness (Name/Description) (Rarity) (Density/Concentration) (Importance to (Resilience to (Undisturbed Reproduction/Survival) Disturbance) State of Habitat) the last part of the Grand over the Southeast Shoal found there. Thus, given the Banks to be deglaciated. and central Grand Bank disturbed state of As a result, relict (Kulka et al. 2003) the ecosystem, it populations of blue mussel, is highly probable wedge clam and capelin High- Oceanographic that ecosystem associated with beach processes- and community habitats from the last The Southeast Shoal is an resilience in the glacial advance remain in area of high primary Southeast Shoal the area. The two bivalve productivity. area has been species are typically found diminished, in inshore areas and High- Biodiversity- leaving it sensitive capelin normally spawn on The densest concentration of to further beaches so all of these Striped wolffish (listed as disturbance. populations are unique ‘special concern’ by (Fuller and Myers 2004; F. COSEWIC) occurs on the Mowbray pers. comm.). Tail of the Banks

High- Biodiversity- Moderate- Feeding- The Southeast Shoal Although American Plaice is contains the highest distributed across all of the benthic biomass on the Grand Banks, an area of Grand Bank (Walsh et al. highest density is returning to 2001) the Tail of the Banks since the mid 1990’s (Kulka et al. 2003)

2. Placentia Bay High- Oceanographic High- Nursing/Rearing- High- Spawning- High- Moderate- Extension processes- High concentrations of The largest spawning stock Important coastal High levels of (24.25 points) Counter-clockwise gyre; ichthyoplankton (Cod, of Atlantic cod in NW Atlantic spawning and commercial and offshoot of Labrador cunner, plaice, capelin and occurs in Placentia Bay. nursing areas in industrial activity Area including all of current enters east and others) occur in Placentia Placentia Bay are that has occurred Placentia Bay and exits west. Bay. highly sensitive to in and around across the mouth of the High- Nursing/Rearing- disturbance, as Placentia Bay over bay from Point Crewe High- Oceanographic High- Oceanographic Due to the characteristics of are important bird time has led to on the Burin Peninsula processes- processes- the area; it is important to the breeding areas regions of to Point Lance on the Localized upwelling at High primary and secondary survival and dispersal of high along the contamination and Avalon Peninsula out to headlands where currents production occurs in the bay concentrations of coastline. disturbance. the 50 m isobath. meet (Burin Peninsula and at headlands. ichthyoplankton (Cod,

6 Table 1. Cont’d.

EBSA Site Uniqueness Aggregation Fitness Consequences Sensitivity Naturalness (Name/Description) (Rarity) (Density/Concentration) (Importance to (Resilience to (Undisturbed Reproduction/Survival) Disturbance) State of Habitat) south and Cape St. cunner, plaice, capelin and Mary’s). High- Spawning- others) that occur in The largest spawning stock Placentia Bay. High- Oceanographic of Atlantic cod in the NW processes- Atlantic occurs in Placentia High- Nesting; Feeding; Stable temperature and Bay. Refugia- salinity compared to other Important Bird Area- embayments High- Nesting; Feeding; (nesting, feeding, and Refugia- overwintering) (e.g. atlantic High- Spawning- Important Bird Area- puffin, black-legged kittiwake, The largest spawning stock (nesting, feeding, and black guillmot, common of Atlantic cod in the NW overwintering) (e.g. atlantic murre, greater black backed Atlantic occurs in Placentia puffin, black-legged kittiwake, gull, greater shearwater, Bay black guillmot, common northern fulmar, northern murre, greater black backed gannet). High- Biodiversity gull, greater shearwater, The area around Placentia northern fulmar, northern Moderate - Feeding; Bay and extension is an gannet). Migration Important Bird Area as A potentially important defined by its importance to High – Feeding feeding area for migrating and concentration of to Many cetaceans and leatherbacks; prey may be many seabird species; leatherback turtles aggregate concentrated here and feed from spring to fall; Many ceteaceans and harbour seals, otters, and leatherback turtles some cetaceans feed in the High- Nursing/Rearing aggregate in spring and area year round Important pupping area for summer; harbour seals and harbour seals (3 key areas in otters use the area year High - Reproduction Placentia Bay); round. A historic harbour seal haulout and pupping site Otters reproduce in the area; High pelagic and demersal occurs at and around Pt. May diversity occurs in Females with young Placentia Bay. High – Migration cetaceans inhabit the area Historic summer aggregation during critical feeding The area also supports a area for migratory marine periods. high biomass of birds and mammals; possible terrestrial mammals typical migratory path for High - Feeding of river and estuarine leatherbacks Important feeding area for habitats marine mammals –

7 Table 1. Cont’d.

3. Southwest Shelf High- Feeding- High- Spawning/Breeding- High- Spawning/Breeding- High to Moderate to Low- Edge and Slope The highest density of Haddock in the region spawn The southwest slope of the Moderate- A high rate of coral (20.25 points) pelagic seabird feeding primarily along the edge of Grand Bank is an important Hard substrates bycatch and high within the LOMA occurs the Southwest slope in spring spawning area for redfish are found in the fishing effort in this Area from 55°W to along the Southwest Shelf (Ollerhead et al. 2004) (Ollerhead et al. 2004). Southwest Slope area indicates that 52°W, encompassing (WWF 2006). area; along with the ecosystem and the shelf edge of Grand High- Feeding- High- Feeding- sessile, brittle, habitats have Bank to the 2000 m HIgh- Feeding- The Southwest Shelf, with its Seabird feeding in the area slow-growing already been isobath This area is host to the high concentration of occurs in a manner that is corals that are heavily impacted. northernmost population of available prey, is an intense critical to fitness, productivity highly sensitive to haddock in the Northwest feeding area for a wide and population stability due disturbance. Atlantic Ocean (WWF variety of seabird species to high energy requirements 2006). of obtaining food, The bottom habitat High- Feeding; reproduction, and nesting in the Southwest High- Structural Habitat- Biodiversity- Shelf area is less Cold-water coral species Aggregation of many marine High- Migration- sensitive to concentration is highest in mammals and leatherback The Southwest Shelf and disturbance but this area (Edinger et al. turtles - particularly in the Slope constitutes a migration traditionally 2007). summer route for cod and therefore dominant species, carries fitness consequences such as haddock, High- Biodiversity- High- Feeding- (WWF 2006). have been Cold-water coral species Haddock in the region are depleted so the diversity is highest in this found primarily within the High- Structural Habitat- community and area (Edinger et al. 2007). southern part of the Banks, Structure-forming gorgonian ecosystem is less with the highest corals are found in high resilient (WWF High- Biodiversity- concentrations along the concentrations in this area 2006). The greatest number of Southwest slope (Kulka et al. (Edinger et al. 2007). groundfish species on the 2003) Off the bottom, the banks occurs on the High- Biodiversity- area is a naturally Southwest Slope (Kulka et High- Feeding- The SW Slope is very dynamic al. 2003). Atlantic Halibut in the region important to the survival and environment, with are found almost exclusively reproduction of many species open access to

8 Table 1. Cont’d.

EBSA Site Uniqueness Aggregation Fitness Consequences Sensitivity Naturalness (Name/Description) (Rarity) (Density/Concentration) (Importance to (Resilience to (Undisturbed Reproduction/Survival) Disturbance) State of Habitat) along the Southwest slope as a cumulative result of larger oceanic High- Biodiversity- during spring (Kulka et al. structural and oceanographic areas The highest density of 2003) features and ecological pelagic seabirds within the functions in the area LOMA is found here (WWF High- Structural Habitat- supporting a high diversity of 2006). Cold-water corals –are found species in a relatively defined in high concentrations in this (and often relatively Moderate- area (Edinger et al. 2007). exclusive) area. Oceanographic Processes- High- Biodiversity- Waters along the edge of A greater proportion of the an offshore bank are highly biomass of most of the productive due to groundfish species present upwelling, which brings occurs along the Southwest nutrient-rich deep water to Slope (Kulka et al. 2003). the surface through a combination of factors Moderate- Feeding- including bottom Monkfish, Pollock, and White topography, wind and Hake in the region occur currents—similar features exclusively along the are found at the edges of Southwest Slope and within other banks in the region. the Laurentian Channel, with higher concentrations in spring (Kulka et al. 2003).

Moderate- Feeding- Although the species is broadly distributed, a proportion of the remnant high density of Atlantic Cod occurs along the Southwest edge and slope of the Grand Banks (Kulka et al. 2003).

9 Table 1. Cont’d.

4. St. Pierre Bank High- Feeding; High- Spawning/Breeding- High- Feeding; Low- Moderate- (10 points) Biodiversity- Highest proportion of Sea Biodiversity- While the area of While St. Pierre Highest and only scallops spawning on St. St. Pierre Banks contains the St. Pierre Bank Bank is not without Northwest St. Pierre concentration Sea scallops Pierre bank in spring (F. highest and only has been heavily disturbance, Bank, south and west of on the Grand Banks—no Cahill, DFO, pers. comm.). concentration Sea scallops dragged for community the Canada-France alternate area is being on the Grand Banks, scallops, the structure over the International Boundary, used by this species in the High- Feeding; therefore the area’s benthic community long-term appears to the 200 m isobath region (F. Cahill, DFO, Biodiversity- contribution to annual growth structure in the to be stable. pers. comm.). Highest and only and condition is great (F. area appears to concentration Sea scallops Cahill, DFO, pers. comm.). recover on the Grand Banks (F. successfully due Cahill, DFO, pers. comm.). High- Feeding; Migration- to its very sandy A potentially important spring bottom habitat. High- Feeding- feeding area for At their northernmost extent overwintering and migrating in the Northwest Atlantic, the whales highest concentration of Spiny dogfish occurs at the western portion of St. Pierre Bank (Kulka 2006).

High- Feeding Several species of cetaceans are known to feed in the area

5. Laurentian High – Structural Habitat High- Nursery/Rearing- High- Nursery/Rearing- Low- High- Channel and Slope Interface of sea ice and The Laurentian Channel is an As the sole pupping grounds While the area While the area has (9.5 points) open ocean in the late important juvenile/nursery off Canada for black dogfish, along the slope of been heavily winter and early spring; area for Smooth skate (< the area supports increased the Laurentian fished and, the Area from 45˚N to occasional openings to St. 30cm) (Kulka et al 2007). survivorship/ fitness of Channel contains habitat is probably 47.5˚N, from the slopes George’s Bay can lead to juveniles compared to other some corals and relatively intact of the banks into the ice entrapments High- Migration- areas. may be sensitive compared to other Laurentian Channel to While the Laurentian to the effects of areas in the the western boundary of High- Nursery/Rearing- Channel is not identified as High- Migration- bottom LOMA. the LOMA. This is the sole pupping being used for migration by The Laurentian Channel as a disturbance, the grounds for black dogfish most of the individuals of any migration route favors area as a whole is off Canada (Kulka 2006). single population, a population fitness of many less sensitive.

10 Table 1. Cont’d.

exclusively along the Moderate- Southwest Slope and the Oceanographic region of the Laurentian

processes- Channel, with higher

Although not unique to the concentrations in spring

LOMA as a whole, (Kulka et al. 2003).

upwelling along offshore

slopes and channels leads

to enhanced productivity year-round.

6. Smith Sound High- High- Spawning/Breeding- High- Spawning/Breeding- Moderate- High- (8 points) Spawning/Breeding- Smith Sound is the largest The FRCC (2000) found that The Smith Sound Although heavily Smith Sound is the largest remaining known spawning the Smith Sound aggregation habitat is not fished in the past, Coastal area located in remaining known spawning area for northern cod (FRCC of northern cod is unique and particularly the Smith Sound Trinity Bay (near area for northern cod 2000). may be critical to recovery of sensitive relative area habitat is 48.25°N; 53.5°W) on (FRCC 2000). the population. to other areas mainly the east coast of High- Nursery/Rearing- along the coast. undisturbed. Newfoundland High- Seasonal Refugia- Northern cod egg/larval High- Seasonal Refugia- Smith Sound is an densities are highest in the Much of the currently known However, the important overwintering vicinity of Smith Sound, spawning that occurs along ecosystem

11 Table 1. Cont’d.

EBSA Site Uniqueness Aggregation Fitness Consequences Sensitivity Naturalness (Name/Description) (Rarity) (Density/Concentration) (Importance to (Resilience to (Undisturbed Reproduction/Survival) Disturbance) State of Habitat) area for the severely decreasing with distance the northeast Newfoundland structure within the depleted population of from the mouth of Smith coast appears to originate area may be more Northern Cod (FRCC Sound, presumably due to from migrating subgroups of sensitive since cod 2000). the spawning activity known cod which have overwintered appear to to occur in the Sound itself in Smith Sound. In addition, concentrate, for Much of the currently (R. Gregory, DFO, pers. many of the cod that some reason, in a known spawning that comm.). overwinter in Smith Sound relatively small occurs along the northeast are large fish which can area of habitat in Newfoundland coast We also know that there is potentially contribute large Smith Sound, appears to originate from good nursery habitat in the numbers of eggs to the smith where the effect of migrating subgroups of cod sound. Currently, we have sound ecosystem and any disturbance which have overwintered in little knowledge as to the beyond smith sound (R. could have Smith Sound (R. Gregory, extent this habitat is used as Gregory, DFO, pers. comm.). dramatic effects. DFO, pers. comm.). a juvenilke nursey (subject of For example the an ongoing DFO large fish kill that investigation) occurred several years ago in Smith High- Migration- Sound is thought At the present time, Smith to be due to low Sound appears to be a water staging area for migration as temperatures. tagging work by John Brattey, suggest that fish leave Smith Sound in spring and move north. Many fish also move into or return to Smith Sound in fall (C. Morris, DFO, pers. comm.).

High- Seasonal Refugia- The very dense aggregation of fish, in the relatively small geographical space of Smith Sound during the winter months, not only represents the largest group in terms of numbers of fish, but they are also very large in size.

12 Table 1. Cont’d.

7. Eastern Avalon High – Biodiversity High- Feeding High- Feeding Low- High- Coast Cetaceans, leatherback Historic aggregation of many This area provides a A naturally An area of low (5.0 points) turtles, seals, and seabirds marine mammals - potentially important feeding dynamic development to aggregate to feed in the particularly in the summer area for marine mammals – environment, with date; shipping Area from Blackhead to spring to fall especially humpback whales; open access to traffic and fisheries Cappahayden out to the prey are concentrated here larger oceanic could cause local 100m areas disturbance

8. Lilly Canyon- Low- Although important to High- Feeding- High– Feeding- Moderate- High- Carson Canyon the feeding and productivity High proportion of Iceland High productivity (quick While the While the area of (4.0 points) of Iceland Scallops, the scallops occur in Lilly and growth and high yields) for shallower parts of the Lilly Canyon- species occurs elsewhere Carson Canyons (F. Cahill, Iceland scallops occurs in the the canyons have Carson has been Area from 44.8˚N to and the canyons DFO, pers. comm.; Ollerhead Lilly and Carson Canyons been heavily heavily fished in 45.6˚N along the 200 m themselves are not unique et al. 2004). (F. Cahill, DFO, pers. fished in the past, the past, the area isobath of the southeast in that various other comm.). the area remains remains highly slope of Grand Bank canyons occur throughout High- Feeding; Seasonal productive due to productive, and the Grand Banks. refuge- physical and the deeper parts of Year round aggregation of biological the canyons are marine mammals for feeding oceanographic relatively and overwintering processes undisturbed. occurring there.

9. Northeast Shelf Low- While the area may High- Feeding- High- Feeding- Low- Moderate - and Slope be deemed significant Greatest proportion Spotted Due to the “threatened” The area of the (3.5 points) based on function to some Wolffish (listed as status of the Spotted Wolffish northeast shelf species, it has no apparent “threatened” under and the proportion of the and slope is not Area on northeastern uniqueness otherwise. COSEWIC) are aggregated population occupying the particularly Grand Bank, starting at here in spring (Kulka et al. area, the northeastern edge sensitive the Nose of the Bank, 2003). of the Grand Banks is compared to other from 48˚W to 50˚W, and important to the species’ slope areas from the edge of the Moderate– Feeding- short and long-term occurring in the shelf to the 1000 m Although broadly distributed sustainability. region. isobath along shelf edges, the highest concentration of Moderate- Feeding Greenland Halibut is Potentially important feeding aggregated here in spring area for marine mammals (Kulka et al. 2003).

13 Table 1. Cont’d.

High- Feeding Aggregation of marine mammals – particularly harp seals (Sackville Spur west), hooded seals (Sackville Spur east) and pilot whales.

10. Burgeo Bank High- Biodiversity- High- Spawning – Moderate- Spawning Moderate- Moderate- (3.25 points) The 3Pn4RS and 3PS Cod Cod aggregate in this area to Although they are known to The Burgeo Bank The habitat is stocks mix in this area spawn, with a peak in March spawn in other areas, Burgeo habitat is probably probably relatively Burgeo Bank, the area during spring (WWF pers. and April (Ollerhead et al. Bank is an important relatively resilient intact but the following the 200 m comm.). 2004). spawning area for cod. but the remaining ecosystem has isobath, south of 47.5˚N cod population been altered by High- Seasonal Refugia- and ecosystem as fishing but not to Burgeo Bank is an important a whole is the extent of other overwintering and mixing sensitive to areas (e.g., area for 3Ps cod (WWF pers disturbance southern Grand comm.). because it has Bank). been altered by fishing.

11. Virgin Rocks High- Physical Features- High- Feeding- Moderate- Moderate- Moderate- (2.5 points) This area is unique from a Seabirds are known to Spawning/Breeding- The habitat Natural geological perspective, as congregate in the vicinity of Although they are known to surrounding the disturbance is In the area from these large nearly exposed the rocks, as are their prey spawn elsewhere, the area Virgin Rocks is relatively high in 46-46.8˚N and from 50- rocks found near the species, capelin. surrounding the Virgin Rocks less sensitive to this area so habitat 51˚W middle of the bank appears to be an important disturbance but is probably constitute a one of a kind Moderate- spawning area for several several of the relatively intact. geological feature/ habitat Spawning/Breeding groundfish species – traditionally in the LOMA. Groundfish – including including Atlantic cod, abundant species Intensive fishing Atlantic cod, American plaice American plaice and in the area have has occurred in and yellowtail flounder – Yellowtail flounder (Ollerhead been depleted so this area so the aggregate in this general et al. 2004). the community community and area to spawn; but also and ecosystem is ecosystem has spawn over a disjunct range less resilient. already been (Ollerhead et al. 2004). altered

Figure 1. Placentia Bay Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area: Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas.

1. █ The Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks 2. █ Placentia Bay Extension 3. █ The Southwest Shelf Edge and Slope 4. █ St. Pierre Bank 5. █ Laurentian Channel and Slope 6. █ Smith Sound 7. █ Eastern Avalon 8. █ Lilly Canyon-Carson Canyon 9. █ Northeast Shelf and Slope 10. █ Burgeo Bank 11. █ Virgin Rocks