Environmental Assessment Update (2021) of Multiklient Invest Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2018–2023 Prepared by: Prepared for: Multiklient Invest AS May 2021 LGL Report No. FA0223-02 Environmental Assessment Update (2021) of Multiklient Invest Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2018–2023 Prepared by LGL Limited, environmental research associates P.O. Box 13248, Stn. A St. John’s, NL A1B 4A5 Tel: 709-754-1992 [email protected] Prepared for Multiklient Invest AS Lilleakerveien 4C, P.O. Box 251 Lilleaker, 0216, Oslo, Norway May 2021 LGL Report No. FA0223-02 Suggested format for citation: LGL Limited. 2021. Environmental Assessment Update (2021) of Multiklient Invest Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2018–2023. LGL Rep. FA0223-02. Prepared by LGL Limited, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, for Multiklient Invest AS, Oslo. 77 p. + appendices. Table of Contents Page List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................ vii 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Project Description ........................................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Vessels and Equipment ................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Spatial Scope ..................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Temporal Scope ................................................................................................................ 3 2.4 Seismic Survey Activities Planned for 2021 ................................................................. 3 2.4.1 Seismic Energy Source Parameters ............................................................... 3 2.4.2 Seismic Streamers ............................................................................................ 4 2.4.3 Support Vessels ................................................................................................ 5 2.4.4 Survey Locations and Timing ........................................................................ 5 2.5 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................................ 5 3.0 Physical Environment .................................................................................................................. 5 4.0 Biological Environment and Fisheries ........................................................................................ 6 4.1 Fish and Fish Habitat ....................................................................................................... 6 4.1.1 Plankton ............................................................................................................ 6 4.1.2 Benthic Invertebrates ....................................................................................... 6 4.1.3 Fish ..................................................................................................................... 7 4.2 Fisheries ............................................................................................................................. 9 4.2.1 Commercial Fisheries ...................................................................................... 9 4.2.2 Indigenous Fisheries ..................................................................................... 33 4.2.3 Recreational Fisheries ................................................................................... 35 4.2.4 Aquaculture .................................................................................................... 36 4.2.5 Science Surveys .............................................................................................. 36 4.3 Marine-Associated Birds ............................................................................................... 43 4.4 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles ............................................................................... 44 4.4.1 General Cetacean and Sea Turtle Surveys ................................................. 44 4.4.2 Updated Species Information ...................................................................... 45 4.5 Species at Risk ................................................................................................................ 48 4.6 Sensitive Areas ............................................................................................................... 50 4.6.1 Critical Habitat ............................................................................................... 53 5.0 Consultations ............................................................................................................................... 55 6.0 Environmental Assessment ....................................................................................................... 55 6.1 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................................... 56 6.2 Fish and Fish Habitat ..................................................................................................... 57 6.3 Marine-Associated Birds ............................................................................................... 60 Environmental Assessment Update (2021) – MKI Page ii Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2018–2023 6.3.1 Vessel Lighting ............................................................................................... 60 6.3.2 Accidental Releases ....................................................................................... 61 6.3.3 Effects Assessment of other Routine Project Activities ............................ 62 6.4 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles ............................................................................... 62 6.5 Validity of Significance Determinations ..................................................................... 65 6.5.1 Cumulative Effects ........................................................................................ 65 7.0 Concluding Statement ................................................................................................................ 69 8.0 References .................................................................................................................................... 70 Appendix A – MKI Newsletter Distributed to Consultees .............................................................. A-1 Appendix B – List of Consultees Contacted by MKI ........................................................................ B-1 Environmental Assessment Update (2021) – MKI Page iii Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2018–2023 List of Figures Page Figure 1.1. Locations of the Project Area, Study Area and 2021 Planned 3D Survey Areas for MKI’s Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program. ............................................... 1 Figure 2.1. MV Ramform Atlas. ........................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2.2. MV Ramform Titan. ........................................................................................................... 4 Figure 4.1. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, all species, May‒November 2017. .................................................................................................... 11 Figure 4.2. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, all species, May‒November 2018. .................................................................................................... 11 Figure 4.3. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, snow crab, May‒November 2017. .................................................................................................... 12 Figure 4.4. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, snow crab, May‒November 2018. .................................................................................................... 12 Figure 4.5. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, northern shrimp, May‒November 2017. .................................................................................................... 13 Figure 4.6. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, northern shrimp, May‒November 2018. .................................................................................................... 13 Figure 4.7. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, Atlantic halibut, May‒November 2017. .................................................................................................... 14 Figure 4.8. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, Atlantic halibut, May‒November 2018. .................................................................................................... 14 Figure 4.9. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, Greenland halibut, May‒November 2017. .................................................................................................... 15 Figure 4.10. Distribution of commercial fishery harvest locations, Greenland halibut, May‒November 2018. ...................................................................................................