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Aquaculture Siting Advice for Provincial Site Licence Applications from Cold Ocean Salmon in Connaigre Bay and Grieg Aquaculture in Placentia Bay

Regional Peer Review - Newfoundland & Labrador Region

September 20-21, 2022
Virtual meeting

Chairpersons: Bob Gregory and Chantelle Burke

Context

Cold Ocean Salmon (COS) has applied for one Atlantic salmon aquaculture licence in Connaigre Bay located on the south coast of Newfoundland (June Cove) and Grieg Aquaculture (GA) has applied for one Atlantic salmon aquaculture licence in Placentia Bay located on the south coast of Newfoundland (Goat Island). The Proponents’ site applications were submitted to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and referred to Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for siting advice. DFO Science has been asked for a review of the predicted exposure zones associated with the range of aquaculture activities and the predicted impacts on species and the habitats that support them. The Proponents have submitted a site application package for each site that includes a Baseline Assessment Report in accordance with the Aquaculture Activities Regulations (AARs).

Objectives

DFO is developing a siting framework to promote a consistent approach to aquaculture site reviews. This framework includes four standardized questions the Regional Aquaculture Management Office (RAMO) uses to ensure a comprehensive review of site applications and inform DFO advice to the Province:

  1. Based on the available data for the site and scientific information, what is the expected exposure zone from the use of approved fish health treatment products in the marine environment, and the predicted consequences to susceptible species?
  2. Based on available data, what Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs); Species At Risk (SAR); fishery species; and ecologically significant species (ESS) and associated habitats, are within the predicted benthic exposure zone and vulnerable to exposure from the deposition of organic matter? How does this compare to the extent of these species and habitats in the surrounding area (i.e. are they common or rare)? What are the anticipated impacts to these sensitive species and habitats from the proposed aquaculture activity?
  3. To support the analysis of risk of entanglement with the proposed aquaculture infrastructure, which pelagic aquatic species at risk make use of the area, and for what duration and when?
  4. Which populations of conspecifics are within a geographic range where escapees are likely to migrate? What are the size and status trends of those conspecific populations in the escapee exposure zone for the proposed site? Are any of these populations listed under Schedule 1 of the Species At Risk Act (SARA)?

Expected Publications

Expected Participation

Notice

Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.

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