Terms of Reference

DFO Maritimes Region Review of the Proposed Marine Finfish Aquaculture Boundary Amendment, Farmer's Ledge, Grand Manan, New Brunswick

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

January 17, 2020
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

Lambert Salmon Inc. and Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. has made an application to the Province of New Brunswick to expand and shift the boundaries at their existing site (#MF0002) near Farmer's Ledge, Grand Manan, New Brunswick.  As per the Canada-New Brunswick Memorandum of Understanding on Aquaculture Development, the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries has forwarded this application to DFO for review and advice in relation to DFO's legislative mandate.  DFO Science has been asked for a review of the expected zone of influences of the expanded site, provide information on the species and habitat presence and use within the zone of influences, as well as possible benthic impacts to inform DFO's review.

Objectives

To help inform DFO's review of Lambert Salmon Inc. and Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd.'s application for a marine finfish aquaculture site expansion, the Maritimes Region's Aquaculture Coordination Office has asked DFO Science the following questions:

• Based on the available data for the site and the scientific information, what is the expected exposure zone from the use of approved fish health products in the marine environment, and the predicted consequences to susceptible species?
  
• What are the consequences to the species and habitats that exist within the proposed site's exposure zones, and where applicable, in the broader vicinity, focusing on species at risk, Commercial, Recreational, and Aboriginal species, and species vulnerable to aquaculture impacts? Are there predicted consequences to any critical ort valuable habitats for species at risk or CRA species?
  
• The proponent has used a depositional model to predict the benthic effects of the proposed aquaculture site.  Are the predicted benthic effects, as demonstrated by the output of the depositional model used by the proponent, consistent with the scientific knowledge of the potential impact of this operation?  

Expected Publications

• Science Response Report

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Oceans Management  
• DFO Aquaculture Management  
• DFO Fisheries Protection Program