Environmental Assessment of CGG’s Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2016-2025 Prepared by Prepared for February 2016 LGL Project No. FA0067 Environmental Assessment of CGG’s Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2016-2025 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] for CGG Services (Canada) Inc. 2200-715 5 Ave. SW Calgary, AB T3G 3R6 Canada February 2016 LGL Project No. FA0067 Suggested Format for Citation: LGL Limited. 2016. Environmental Assessment of CGG’s Newfoundland Offshore Seismic Program, 2016-2025. LGL Rep. FA0067. Rep. by LGL Limited, St. John’s, NL for CGG Services (Canada) Inc., Calgary, AB. 195 p. + Appendix. Table of Contents Page Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ ii List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................v List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii 1.0 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Relevant Legislation and Regulatory Approvals .....................................................1 1.2 The Operator ............................................................................................................2 1.3 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Benefits ........................................................3 1.4 Contacts....................................................................................................................3 2.0 Project Description...............................................................................................................4 2.1 Spatial and Temporal Boundaries ............................................................................4 2.2 Project Overview .....................................................................................................5 2.2.1 Objectives and Rationale .............................................................................5 2.2.2 Project Scheduling .......................................................................................6 2.2.3 Site Plans ......................................................................................................6 2.2.4 Personnel ......................................................................................................6 2.2.5 Seismic Vessel .............................................................................................6 2.2.6 Seismic Energy Source Parameters .............................................................6 2.2.7 Seismic Streamers ........................................................................................7 2.2.8 Logistics/Support .........................................................................................7 2.2.9 Waste Management ......................................................................................8 2.2.10 Air Emissions ...............................................................................................8 2.2.11 Accidental Events ........................................................................................8 2.3 Mitigation and Monitoring .......................................................................................9 2.4 Project Site Information ...........................................................................................9 2.4.1 Environmental Features ...............................................................................9 2.5 Consultations..........................................................................................................11 2.6 Effects of the Project on the Environment .............................................................12 2.7 Environmental Monitoring.....................................................................................12 3.0 Physical Environment ........................................................................................................13 3.1 Bathymetry and Geology .......................................................................................13 3.2 Climatology............................................................................................................14 3.2.1 Wind ...........................................................................................................15 3.2.2 Waves .........................................................................................................16 3.2.3 Wind and Wave Extreme Value Analysis .................................................17 3.2.4 Weather Variables ......................................................................................25 3.2.5 Weather Systems ........................................................................................35 3.3 Physical Oceanography ..........................................................................................36 3.3.1 Major Currents in the Study Area ..............................................................37 3.4 Ice Conditions ........................................................................................................40 3.4.1 Sea Ice ........................................................................................................40 3.4.2 Icebergs ......................................................................................................42 Environmental Assessment – CGG NL Offshore Seismic Program, 2016-2025 Page ii 4.0 Biological Environment .....................................................................................................44 4.1 Ecosystem ..............................................................................................................44 4.2 Fish and Fish Habitat VEC ....................................................................................44 4.2.1 Fish Habitat ................................................................................................44 4.2.2 Fish .............................................................................................................53 4.2.3 Fish and Fish Habitat Data Gaps Identified in Relevant SEAs .................60 4.3 Fisheries .................................................................................................................60 4.3.1 Information Sources ...................................................................................61 4.3.2 Regional NAFO Fisheries ..........................................................................62 4.3.3 Domestic Fisheries .....................................................................................62 4.3.4 Traditional and Aboriginal Fisheries .........................................................85 4.3.5 Recreational Fisheries ................................................................................89 4.3.6 Aquaculture ................................................................................................89 4.3.7 Macroinvertebrates and Fishes Collected during DFO Research Vessel (RV) Surveys ..................................................................................89 4.3.8 Industry and DFO Science Surveys .........................................................100 4.3.9 Fisheries Data Gaps Identified in Relevant SEAs ...................................101 4.4 Marine-associated Birds.......................................................................................102 4.4.1 Seasonal Occurrence and Abundance ......................................................103 4.4.2 Breeding Seabirds in Eastern Newfoundland and Southeastern Newfoundland ..........................................................................................103 4.4.3 Prey and Foraging Habits.........................................................................111 4.4.4 Marine-associated Bird Data Gaps Identified in Relevant SEA ..............111 4.5 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles .......................................................................113 4.5.1 Marine Mammals .....................................................................................113 4.5.2 Sea Turtles ...............................................................................................122 4.5.3 Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Data Gaps Identified in Relevant SEAs ........................................................................................................122 4.6 Species at Risk .....................................................................................................124 4.6.1 Profiles of Marine Species with Endangered or Threatened Status on Schedule 1 of the SARA ...........................................................................127 4.6.2 Species at Risk Data Gaps Identified in Relevant SEAs .........................130 4.7 Sensitive Areas.....................................................................................................130 5.0 Effects Assessment ..........................................................................................................132 5.1 Scoping ................................................................................................................132 5.1.1 Consultations............................................................................................132 5.2 Valued