Terms of Reference

Biophysical Overview of the Laurentian Channel Area of Interest (AOI)

Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Advisory Meeting

November 9-10, 2010 - St.John's Newfoundland

Chairperson: Bill Brodie

Background

Under the Health of the Oceans Initiative, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science sector provides advice in support of the establishment and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  This process was initiated with the identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs).  On June 8, 2010, following the conclusion of an 18 month regional site selection process and subsequent approval, the Minister announced the Laurentian Channel as an Area of Interest (AOI; Figure 1 – Appendix A) for potential MPA establishment.

Once an AOI is identified, detailed information on the key biophysical attributes of the area is required. This biophysical overview will assist the Department in refining conservation objectives, delineating boundaries, and determining if an Oceans Act MPA is the appropriate management tool for the site.  If the Laurentian Channel MPA is established, the biophysical overview will inform monitoring protocols and strategies, identification of information gaps, and the development of a management plan for the area. 

In order to ascertain the necessary breadth and scope of the various components of the ecosystem to be addressed in the overview, and to ensure the accurate consideration of the significance of this area to the life histories of those species identified for potential conservation, areas adjacent to the AOI should also be considered as necessary.  Considering the geographic scale at which scientific information is currently collected and reported, the study area for the biophysical overview is recommended as NAFO areas 3Ps west of the Canada-France Maritime Boundary, as well as 3Pn.

Objectives

The overall objective of the meeting is to provide advice on key physical and biological features of the Laurentian Channel AOI (and adjacent area as required) as they pertain to potential conservation priorities, the subsequent development of conservation objectives, and information for the development of management strategies. Potential conservation priorities for the Laurentian Channel AOI include:  Black dogfish, Basking shark, Cod, Haddock, Monkfish, Pollock, Porbeagle shark, Redfish, Smooth skate, Spiny dogfish, Thorny skate, White hake, Wolffish, Cetaceans, Leatherback seaturtles, and Corals (specifically seapens).  Therefore, it is expected that the following information pertaining to the study area will be addressed:

1. Description of the standard and unique physical and biological oceanographic characteristics of the Laurentian Channel study area.
2. Description of the standard/unique/sensitive habitat features occurring in the Laurentian Channel study area.
3. Description of the general biology and ecology, including life history characteristics and trophic relationships of species of interest in the Laurentian Channel study area.
4. Description of the distribution and abundance of species of interest in the Laurentian Channel study area, including status and trends where available, and the abiotic and biotic factors influencing these.
5. Description of potential risks to species of interest as presented by natural variation and human activities.
6. Sources of uncertainties of the information provided and the identification of knowledge gaps as they pertain to the current understanding of the existing environment and species of interest within the Laurentian Channel study area.

Products

The Regional Advisory meeting will generate a proceedings report summarizing the deliberations of the participants.  This will be published in the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Proceedings Series on the CSAS website.  The advice from the meeting will be published as a Science Advisory Report and the working paper reviewed at the meeting, which provides the support for the advice, will be published as a CSAS Research Document.

Participation

DFO Science, DFO Oceans, Habitat and Species at Risk, DFO Ecosystem and Fisheries Management, Provincial Governments, Academia, Industry, and Stakeholders

Appendix A:  Laurentian Channel Area of Interest

Figure 1.  Laurentian Channel Area of Interest within the Placentia Bay-Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area.