environmental assessment update of the mki …...lgl limited. 2016. environmental assessment update...

Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey

Programme, 2012–2017

Prepared by

for

Multi Klient Invest AS

&

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA

August 2016 Project No. FA0075

Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey

Programme, 2012–2017

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

Multi Klient Invest AS Lilleakerveien 4C, P.O. Box 251 Lilleaker, 0216, Oslo, Norway

&

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA

1051 Clay Road Houston, Texas, 77043, USA

August 2016 LGL Project No. FA0075

Suggested format for citation: LGL Limited. 2016. Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey

Programme, 2012‒2017. LGL Rep. FA0075. Rep. by LGL Limited, St. John’s, NL for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway, and TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA, Houston, TX. 32 p. + appendices.

Table of Contents Page Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ ii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. iv 1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1 2.0 Project Description...........................................................................................................................3

2.1 Vessels and Equipment ........................................................................................................3 2.2 Spatial Scope ........................................................................................................................4 2.3 Temporal Scope ...................................................................................................................4 2.4 Seismic Survey Activities Planned for 2016 .......................................................................4 2.5 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................................5

3.0 Physical Environment ......................................................................................................................5 4.0 Biological Environment ...................................................................................................................5

4.1 Fish and Fish Habitat ...........................................................................................................5 4.1.1 Plankton ................................................................................................................6 4.1.2 Snow Crab .............................................................................................................6 4.1.3 Northern Shrimp ...................................................................................................6 4.1.4 Atlantic Cod ..........................................................................................................6 4.1.5 Greenland Halibut .................................................................................................7

4.2 Fisheries ...............................................................................................................................7 4.2.1 Commercial Fisheries ...........................................................................................7 4.2.2 Traditional and Aboriginal Fisheries ..................................................................13 4.2.3 Recreational Fisheries .........................................................................................14 4.2.4 Aquaculture .........................................................................................................15 4.2.5 DFO and Industry Science Surveys ....................................................................15

4.3 Seabirds ..............................................................................................................................19 4.4 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles .....................................................................................20

4.4.1 Updated SARA and COSEWIC Designations .....................................................20 4.4.2 Updated Population/Abundance Estimates .........................................................20 4.4.3 Additional References .........................................................................................20

4.5 Species at Risk ...................................................................................................................22 4.6 Sensitive Areas...................................................................................................................25

5.0 Consultations..................................................................................................................................26 6.0 Environmental Assessment ............................................................................................................27

6.1 Mitigation Measures ..........................................................................................................27 6.2 Validity of Significance Determinations ...........................................................................27

7.0 Concluding Statement ....................................................................................................................27 8.0 References ......................................................................................................................................28 Appendix 1 – MKI Newsletter Distributed to Consultees Appendix 2 – List of Consultees Contacted by MKI

Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page ii Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

List of Figures Page Figure 1.1 Locations of the Project Area, Study Area and 2016 Areas of Interest for MKI’s

Northeast Newfoundland Slope Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017. ........................3 Figure 4.1 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, All Species,

May‒November 2014. .........................................................................................................8 Figure 4.2 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, Snow Crab,

May‒November 2014. .........................................................................................................8 Figure 4.3 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, Greenland Halibut,

May‒November 2014. ........................................................................................................9 Figure 4.4 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, Northern Shrimp,

May‒November 2014. .........................................................................................................9 Figure 4.5 Monthly Sums of Catch Weight Quartile Codes in the Study Area, All Species,

May‒November 2014. .......................................................................................................13 Figure 4.6 Harvest Locations for Fixed (top) and Mobile (bottom) Gears in the Study Area, All

Species, May‒November 2014. .........................................................................................14 Figure 4.7 Distribution of DFO RV Survey Catch Locations in the Study Area,

May‒November 2013. .......................................................................................................17 Figure 4.8 Locations of Sampling Stations Associated with the Industry-DFO Collaborative

Post-season Trap Survey for Snow Crab. ..........................................................................19 Figure 4.9 Sensitive Areas that Overlap the Study Area. ....................................................................26

Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page iii Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

List of Tables Page Table 1.1 Environmental Assessment Documents for the MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope

Seismic Surveying Programme, 2012–2017. .......................................................................1 Table 4.1 Commercial Catch Weights and Values in the Study Area, May‒November 2014 ..........11 Table 4.2 Commercial Catch Weights and Values in the 2016 AOI, May‒November 2014. ...........12 Table 4.3 Catch Weights and Numbers, and Mean Catch Depths of Macroinvertebrates and

Fishes Collected during DFO RV Surveys in the Study Area, May‒November 2013. .....16 Table 4.4 Total Catch Weights and Predominant Species Caught at Various Mean Catch

Depth Ranges, DFO RV Surveys, May‒November 2013. ................................................17 Table 4.5 Tentative Schedule of DFO RV Surveys in 2016. .............................................................18 Table 4.6 Current SARA and COSEWIC Status of Marine Mammals Expected to Occur in the

Study Area. ........................................................................................................................21 Table 4.7 SARA-Listed and COSEWIC-Assessed Marine Species that Potentially Occur in the

Study Area. ........................................................................................................................23

Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page iv Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

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1.0 Introduction This document is an Update of the Environmental Assessment (EA; YOLO/RPS 20121) of Multi Klient Invest AS (MKI) and TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (TGS)’s proposed Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017 2D, and its associated Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015a2,b3; PGS 20154; LGL 20165). In 2016, MKI is proposing to conduct 2D seismic surveying in the Northeast Newfoundland Slope Project Area and 3D seismic surveying in the Flemish Pass area (see Figure 1.1 below). The EA Update document addresses the validity of the EA and its Amendments (Table 1.1) as they pertain to MKI’s proposed seismic survey activities in 2016. The EA Update is intended to assist the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) in its regulatory review process by demonstrating that both the scope of the assessment and the mitigation measures to which MKI previously committed and implemented remain technically valid for proposed seismic survey operations in 2016. Previous EA Updates associated with this program were prepared in 2013, 2014 and 2015 (YOLO/RPS 20136, 20147, Keel/RPS 2015c8). Table 1.1 Environmental Assessment Documents for the MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope

Seismic Surveying Programme, 2012–2017.

Screening Determination Reference Temporal Scope EA Document Title

CEAR No. 11-01-65425

C-NLOPB File No. 45006-020-002

May 1 to November 30, 2012–2017

Environmental Assessment of Multi Klient Invest AS Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017 (YOLO/RPS 2012) a

May 1 to November 30, 2013

Update Report, Multi Klient Invest AS Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine 2D Seismic Reflection Survey, Northeast Newfoundland Slope (YOLO/RPS 2013)b


Update Report, Multi Klient Invest AS Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine 2D Seismic 2012–2017 Reflection Survey, Northeast Newfoundland Slope (YOLO/RPS 2014)c


Amendment to Environmental Assessment of MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017 (Keel/RPS 2015a) d


Update Report, Multi Klient Invest AS Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine 2D Seismic 2012–2017 Reflection Survey, Northeast Newfoundland Slope (Keel/RPS 2015)e

1 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/eareport.pdf 2 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/eaamenadmin.pdf 3 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/eaamen2.pdf 4 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/eaamen3.pdf 5 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/reveaamen.pdf 6 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/eaupdate.pdf 7 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/reveaupdate.pdf 8 http://www.cnlopb.ca/pdfs/mkias/2015eaupdate.pdf Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 1 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

Screening Determination Reference Temporal Scope EA Document Title


Amendment to Environmental Assessment of MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017 (Keel/RPS 2015b) f


Amendment to Environmental Assessment of MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017 (PGS 2015) g


Amendment to Environmental Assessment of MKI Northeast Newfoundland Slope Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017 (LGL 2016) h

Notes: a On September 4, 2012, the C-NLOPB made a positive determination on this EA. b Originally submitted to the C-NLOPB in March 2013, and finalized in June 2013. c Originally submitted to the C-NLOPB in March 2014, and finalized in May 2014. d On April 30, 2015, the C-NLOPB made a positive determination on this EA Amendment. e Originally submitted to the C-NLOPB in March 2015, and finalized in June 2014. f On July 14, 2015, the C-NLOPB made a positive determination on this EA Amendment. g On August 3, 2015, the C-NLOPB made a positive determination on this EA Amendment. h On April 21, 2016, the C-NLOPB made a positive determination on this EA Amendment.

The following sections provide the information necessary to confirm the validity of the EA and its associated documents (see Table 1.1), including assessment of the potential effects of 2D, 3D and 4D seismic survey activities within the defined Project Area (see Figure 1.1 below) on the following Valued Environmental Components (VECs): Fish and Fish Habitat; Fisheries; Seabirds; Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles; Species at Risk; and Sensitive Areas. This Update also includes new relevant information not included in the EA and its associated documents.

Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 2 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

Figure 1.1 Locations of the Project Area, Study Area and 2016 Areas of Interest for MKI’s

Northeast Newfoundland Slope Seismic Survey Programme, 2012–2017. 2.0 Project Description 2.1 Vessels and Equipment In addition to the seismic vessel, 2D and/or 3D seismic surveys require the use of one or more support vessels depending on the type of operation: (1) a picket vessel tasked with communicating with other vessels (primarily fishing vessels) that may be operating in the area, and scouting ahead for any other hazards such as floating debris; and (2) if necessary, a supply vessel tasked with resupply, refuelling and personnel transfer. The 2D and 3D survey sound sources will consist of one or more airgun arrays with a total discharge volume of 3,000–6,000 in3, operating at a tow depth of 6–15 m. The airgun arrays are comprised of individual airguns ranging in size from 22–250 in3 each. The airguns will be operated with compressed air at pressures of 2,000–2,500 psi and produce approximate peak-to-peak pressures of 100–200 bar-m. A typical airgun array used by MKI for 2D surveys consists of four sub-arrays with a total volume of 4,808 in3, operated at a pressure of 2,000 psi. This array is generally towed at a depth of 9 m and produces peak-to-peak pressures of 179 bar-m. The airguns in the array are strategically arranged to


direct most of the energy vertically downward rather than sideways. The shotpoint interval will be one array pulse every 19–25 s, and the survey speed will be around 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h). For 2D surveys, the seismic ship will also tow a single seismic hydrophone cable (streamer) up to 10 km long, deployed near the ocean surface, at a depth of ~15–25 m. This is a passive listening device, which will receive the sound waves reflected from structures underneath the ocean floor and transfer the data to an on-board recording and processing system. The cable is a solid streamer, PGS GeoStreamer®. For 3D seismic surveys, the seismic ship will tow multiple streamers. Streamers will be solid with an expected length of 8,000–10,000 m, depending on survey design, and deployed at depths ranging from ~15–25 m. As many as 16 streamers may be towed during a 3D seismic survey. The seismic vessel is also equipped with a Furuno FE-700 echosounder. The downward-facing echosounder operates at a frequency of 50 kHz or 200 kHz and will be used to collect water depth information. For this Project, sound velocity profiles will also be acquired in the water column at various locations in the survey area. This is a routine practice during seismic programs. Sound velocity profiles allow for more accurate interpretation of the acoustic data (i.e., seismic pulses) recorded by the seismic streamer. These data are acquired with a small, passive device that will be deployed by the support vessel. The device measures pressure, temperature, and salinity, from which the speed of sound can be calculated. 2.2 Spatial Scope The Project and Study areas defined in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) remain unchanged and are presented in Figure 1.1. The Project Area, in which all survey activities will occur, is encompassed by the Study Area. The boundary of the Study Area is 25 km outside of that for the Project Area. The 25 km wide area is intended to account for the propagation of sound being generated in the Project Area that could potentially affect marine biota. 2.3 Temporal Scope The temporal scope defined in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) as May 1–November 30 during each year of the 2012‒2017 period remains unchanged. 2.4 Seismic Survey Activities Planned for 2016 In 2016, MKI plans to conduct about 15,000 km of 2D seismic surveying in the Project Area. Figure 1.1 shows the Area of Interest (AOI) for the 2D seismic surveying proposed for 2016. The MV Sanco Spirit will most likely be the seismic vessel conducting the 2D seismic surveying in 2016. More details of this vessel are provided in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012). At the time of submission of the original EA Update in April 2016, the 3D project had not been finalized and so was only referenced in the update as a possibility. The area to be surveyed in 2016 is 1,650 km2,


smaller than the previously proposed 3,000 km2, and is located in the Flemish Pass basin (see Figure 1.1). MKI is expecting to utilize two guard vessels (Strait Signet and Strait Hunter) during the 3D survey. These vessels have been identified and the relevant information for approval for operation under the authorization has been supplied to the C-NLOPB. A support vessel (Atlantic Kingfisher) will be utilized to conduct an offshore crew change in late August and information to amend the authorization to include this vessel is underway. All other project details presented in § 2.0 of the EA apply to MKI’s seismic survey activities in 2016. 2.5 Mitigation Measures Mitigation measures implemented during seismic surveys carried out under this Project will follow those described in the most recent EA Amendment (LGL 2016) and defined in Appendix 2 of Geophysical, Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical Program Guidelines (C-NLOPB 2012). These include ramp-up (i.e., soft start) of the airgun arrays, the use of qualified and experienced dedicated Marine Mammal Observer(s) (MMOs) to monitor marine mammals and sea turtles and implement shut downs/ramp up delays of the airgun array when appropriate, and the use of a Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) and communication procedures to avoid conflicts with fisheries. Seabird observations and monitoring/mitigation for stranded birds will also be carried out by qualified experienced personnel according to established Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) protocols. 3.0 Physical Environment Subsections 5.1 and 5.2 in MKI’s EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) describe the physical environment of the Study Area. There have not been any notable changes in the various aspects of the physical environment of the Study Area described in the EA. 4.0 Biological Environment Background biological environment information not previously included in documents associated with this Project (see Table 1.1) is included in this section. 4.1 Fish and Fish Habitat The new information presented in this subsection does not change the effects predictions made in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its associated Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015a,b; PGS 2015; LGL 2016). New Information is included for key points concerning the relationship between planktonic communities and oceanic conditions of the Northeast Newfoundland Slope area, as well as for snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), and Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 5 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

4.1.1 Plankton The Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP) was implemented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in 1998 in an attempt to better understand, describe and forecast the state of the marine ecosystem. A critical element of the AZMP is an observation program designed to assess the variability in nutrients, phytoplankton and zooplankton (DFO 2015a). The AZMP findings in relation to oceanographic conditions in the Study Area for 2014 are summarized below.

• Copepod abundance throughout much of the Atlantic zone has increased consistently relative to levels observed in 2013, with the exception of the northeast Newfoundland Shelf (NAFO Div. 2J3K) where a notable decline has occurred.

• In 2014, the annual-mean transport index for the Labrador Current was ear normal over the Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland Slope.

• For the past decade, ice volumes on the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf have generally been lower than normal.

4.1.2 Snow Crab Snow crab landings in NAFO Div. 2HJ were at their lowest level in two decades in 2013 but increased by 25% in 2014. Offshore landings in NAFO Div. 3K declined by 50% from 2008‒2011 and have changed little since then, remaining near historically low levels. Offshore landings in NAFO Div. 3LNO have remained near their highest level (~26,000 t) in the past three years (DFO 2015b). 4.1.3 Northern Shrimp The northern shrimp fishable biomass index in Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 6 (NAFO Div. 2J3K) declined from 421,000 t in 2011 to 216,000 t in 2013, the lowest in the time series, and increased slightly to 233,000 t in 2014. The fishable biomass index in SFA 5 (NAFO Div. 2HJ) has been relatively stable since 2010 (e.g., ~116,000 t in 2014) (DFO 2015c). In NAFO Div. 3M, analyses of stratified random bottom trawl surveys completed on the Flemish Cap in 2015 show that total biomass and female biomass indices increased from 2014 (70% and 117%, respectively) but still remain at relatively low levels. The total and female biomasses in 2015 were estimated to be 1,527 and 1,057 t, respectively (Casas 2015). 4.1.4 Atlantic Cod According to recent assessments, all Atlantic cod stocks remain at a very low level although spawning biomass has increased in recent years. In 2010, after a decade-long moratorium, a cod fishery on the Flemish Cap (Div. 3M) was re-opened; however the moratoria on directed fisheries continue for Div. 3NO and Div. 3L (NAFO 2014). Recently, the highest estimated biomass of Atlantic cod has been observed in the shallow strata (93–274 m) (Román et al. 2015).


4.1.5 Greenland Halibut The annual Canadian research vessel fall survey of Div. 2J3K shows an increasing biomass index for Greenland halibut from 2010‒2014, reaching the highest levels of the 1978‒2014 time series. The abundance index from the fall survey increased from 2012‒2014, yet it remains below the series average. In the Div. 2J fall survey, most of the Atlantic cod biomass was observed in the 200–750 m depth range. Most of the biomass in Div. 3K was observed in the 300–500 m depth range (Morgan 2015). 4.2 Fisheries The new information presented in this subsection does not change the effects predictions made in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its associated Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015a,b; PGS 2015; LGL 2016). 4.2.1 Commercial Fisheries Results of analyses of the 2014 commercial fisheries landings data did not indicate any major differences in distribution of harvest locations between May‒November 2014 (Figures 4.1–4.4) and May‒November 2005‒2010 (see Figure 5.57 in YOLO/RPS 2012). Catch locations for all species during 2011‒2013 were not provided in the previous EA Update (Keel/RPS 2015c). Figures 4.1–4.4 show the distribution of May‒November 2014 harvest locations for all species, snow crab, Greenland halibut and northern shrimp, respectively. Most of the harvesting in the Study Area was conducted in areas where water depths were <1,000 m. Harvesting in 2014 was conducted in much of the western and central portions of the 2016 AOI. As in previous years (see Table 5.21 in YOLO/RPS 2012 and Table 2 in Keel/RPS 2015c), snow crab (41% of total catch in the Study Area in terms of total catch weight quartile code counts), Greenland halibut (21%) and northern shrimp (11%) dominated the commercial catches in the Study Area during May‒November 2014. Other notable species caught commercially in 2014 include redfishes (Sebastes sp.) (6%), Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) (5%), Atlantic cod (3%), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) (3%) and yellowtail flounder (Pleuronectes ferruginea) (3%). Catch weight and value quartile counts, months of effort and gear types for species harvested in the Study Area and 2016 AOI in 2014 are presented in Tables 4.1 and 4.2, respectively.


Source: DFO commercial landings database, 2014.

Figure 4.1 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, All Species,

May‒November 2014.


Figure 4.2 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, Snow Crab,

May‒November 2014. Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 8 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017


Figure 4.3 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, Greenland Halibut,

May‒November 2014.


Figure 4.4 Distribution of Commercial Fishery Harvest Locations, Northern Shrimp,

May‒November 2014. Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 9 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

4.2.1.1 Snow Crab During May‒November 2014, the distribution of harvest locations for snow crab in the Study Area was consistent with that observed during May‒November 2005‒2010 (see Figure 5.59 in YOLO/RPS 2012) and May‒November 2013 (see Figure 5 in Keel/RPS 2015c). The catches occurred primarily in the southwestern portion of the Study Area and 2016 AOI, between the 100 and 200 m isobaths (see Figure 4.2). The total allowable catch (TAC) for snow crab in NAFO Div. 2J, 3K and 3LNO has remained relatively consistent during recent years, remaining at 1,765 mt from 2013 to 2015 in Div. 2J, decreasing from 7,980 mt in 2014 to 7,294 mt in 2015 in Div. 3K, and increasing from 35,193 mt in 2014 to 35,698 mt in 2015 in Div. 3LNO (DFO 2015d). 4.2.1.2 Greenland Halibut The pattern of Greenland halibut harvest locations during May‒November 2014 was similar to that observed during May‒November 2005‒2010 (see Figure 5.60 in YOLO/RPS 2012) and May‒November 2013 (see Figure 6 in Keel/RPS 2015c). Most of the 2014 catch locations were in the western portion of the Study Area and central portion of the 2016 AOI, between the 500 and 1,000 m isobaths (see Figure 4.3). The TAC for Greenland halibut in Div. 3LMNO has decreased from 11,543 mt in 2014 to 10,966 mt in 2016 (NAFO 2016). 4.2.1.3 Northern Shrimp As noted in the EA (see Table 5.21 in YOLO/RPS 2012) and the 2015 EA Update (see § 4.3.1.3 in Keel/RPS 2015c), northern shrimp harvesting in the Study Area has declined during recent years. The moratorium on this fishery in Div. 3M remains in effect, and the 2015 shrimp fishery closure in SFA 7 (includes Div. 3LN) remains in effect for 2016 (DFO 2015d; NAFO 2015a). The TAC for northern shrimp in SFA 6 (i.e., Div. 3K and a portion of Div. 2J) has decreased from 60,245 mt in 2013 to 48,196 mt in 2014 and 2015 (DFO 2015d). Most of the northern shrimp harvest during May‒November 2014 was in the central-western portion of the Study Area, and the central-southeastern portion of the 2016 AOI, primarily between the 200 and 500 m isobaths (see Figure 4.4).


Table 4.1 Commercial Catch Weights and Values in the Study Area, May‒November 2014 (Values indicate the frequency of catch weight quartile codes [i.e., 1‒4] attributed to each species. Gear types and months of effort are also indicated).

Species Catch Weight Quartile

Code Counts a Catch Value Quartile

Code Counts b Total Counts c

Month Caught

Gear Type

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Fixed Mobile Snow Crab 42 153 255 94 30 114 230 170 544 May‒Aug Pot - Greenland Halibut 37 92 109 36 51 94 90 39 274 Jun‒Sep Gillnet Trawl Northern Shrimp 68 40 33 4 83 38 23 1 145 May‒Sep - Trawl Redfish 12 22 24 24 17 24 22 19 82 Jun‒Sep Gillnet Trawl

Atlantic Halibut 7 12 21 26 10 14 17 25 66 Jun‒Sep Gillnet; Longline Trawl

Atlantic Cod 6 12 7 17 8 15 16 3 42 May‒Sep Gillnet Trawl

American Plaice 6 16 10 9 13 16 12 0 41 May‒Jul; Nov Gillnet Trawl

Yellowtail Flounder 5 15 8 9 12 15 10 0 37 May‒Jul;

Nov - Trawl

Roughhead Grenadier (Macrourus berglax)

2 13 10 8 2 16 11 4 33 Jun‒Aug Gillnet Trawl

Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)

2 5 7 13 3 3 7 14 27 Jun‒Sep Gillnet Trawl

Argentine (Argentina silus) 2 10 4 4 3 12 4 1 20 Aug - Trawl

Skate sp. 2 0 0 2 1 1 0 2 4 Jun‒Jul Gillnet; Longline -

Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 Oct - Seine

Total 191 390 489 246 233 363 442 278 1,316 - - - Source: DFO commercial landings database, 2014. Notes: a Quartile ranges provided by DFO (quartile ranges calculated annually by DFO based on total catch weights in a given year, all species

combined). 2014 quartile ranges: 1 = 0 – 2,421 kg, 2 = 2,422 ‒ 10,786 kg, 3 = 10,787 ‒ 42,872 kg, 4 = ≥ 42,873 kg. b Quartile ranges provided by DFO (quartile ranges calculated annually by DFO based on total catch values in a given year, all species

combined). 2014 quartile ranges: 1 = $0 – $8,851, 2 = $8,852 ‒ $38,076, 3 = $38,077 ‒ $140,695, 4 = ≥ $140,696. c Total counts of the number of catch records per species; the total quartile code counts for catch weight and catch value are equal.


Table 4.2 Commercial Catch Weights and Values in the 2016 AOI, May‒November 2014 (Values indicate the frequency of catch weight quartile codes [i.e., 1‒4] attributed to each species. Gear types and months of effort are also indicated).

Species Catch Weight Quartile

Code Counts a Catch Value Quartile

Code Counts b Total Counts c

Month Caught

Gear Type

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Fixed Mobile Snow Crab 20 61 143 51 13 51 114 97 275 May‒Aug Pot - Greenland Halibut 31 57 70 36 43 58 57 36 194 Jun‒Sep Gillnet Trawl Northern Shrimp 36 29 33 4 47 31 23 1 102 Jun‒Sep - Trawl Redfish 12 17 18 24 17 20 15 19 71 Jun‒Sep Gillnet Trawl Atlantic Halibut 6 12 21 25 10 13 16 25 64 Jun‒Sep Gillnet Trawl Roughhead Grenadier 2 12 6 8 2 15 7 4 28 Jul‒Aug Gillnet Trawl

Witch Flounder 2 3 5 13 3 2 4 14 23 Jun‒Sep Gillnet Trawl Atlantic Cod 3 6 3 9 3 8 7 3 21 Jul‒Sep Gillnet Trawl Argentine 2 10 4 4 3 12 4 1 20 Aug - Trawl Skate sp. 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 3 Jul Gillnet - American Plaice 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 Jul Gillnet - Mackerel 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 Oct - Seine

Total 115 207 306 176 142 211 249 202 804 - - - Source: DFO commercial landings database, 2014. Notes: a Quartile ranges provided by DFO (quartile ranges calculated annually by DFO based on total catch weights in a given year, all species

combined). 2014 quartile ranges: 1 = 0 – 2,421 kg, 2 = 2,422 ‒ 10,786 kg, 3 = 10,787 ‒ 42,872 kg, 4 = ≥ 42,873 kg. b Quartile ranges provided by DFO (quartile ranges calculated annually by DFO based on total catch values in a given year, all species

combined). 2014 quartile ranges: 1 = $0 – $8,851, 2 = $8,852 ‒ $38,076, 3 = $38,077 ‒ $140,695, 4 = ≥ $140,696. c Total counts of the number of catch records per species; the total quartile code counts for catch weight and catch value are equal. 4.2.1.4 Other Notable Commercial Species As noted in the 2015 EA Update (see § 4.3.1.3 in Keel/RPS 2015c), redfishes, Atlantic halibut, Atlantic cod, American plaice, and yellowtail flounder have also been identified as important commercial species in the Study Area (see Table 4.1 above, and Table 5.21 in Keel/RPS 2015c). These species are harvested primarily in areas where water depths are <500 m (i.e., western and southwestern portions of the Study Area and 2016 AOI). Atlantic halibut are managed by DFO, while NAFO sets annual TAC values for the other four species. The TAC for Atlantic halibut in NAFO Div. 3NOPs4VWX+5 increased from 2,563 mt in 2014/2015 to 2,738 mt in 2015/2016 (DFO 2015d). Based on relatively high recruitment levels since the mid 2000s, the redfish and Atlantic cod stocks on the Flemish Cap in Div. 3M are currently healthy and likely able to support an increase in catches in 2016 and 2017 (NAFO 2015a,b). The redfish TAC remained at 10,400 mt in 2015 and 2016 in Div. 3LN, and increased from 6,700 mt in 2015 to 7,000 mt in 2016 in Div. 3M (NAFO 2016). The TAC for Atlantic cod in Div. 3M increased from 13,795 mt in 2015 to 13,931 mt 2016 (NAFO 2016). Fishing bans are in place for Atlantic cod and American plaice in Div. 3LNO, and for American plaice in Div. 3M and 3Ps (DFO 2015d; NAFO 2015a). The TAC for yellowtail flounder in Div. 3LNO has remained at 17,000 mt during recent years (NAFO 2016).


4.2.1.5 Timing and Gear Types As in previous years, most of the May‒November 2014 harvesting in the Study Area occurred during the May‒August period (see Figure 4.5 below, and Figure 5.61 in YOLO/RPS 2012). Gear types used in the Study Area in 2014 were typical of those used during previous years (see Table 4.1 above, and Figure 4.135 and Table 4.119 in the Eastern Newfoundland SEA [C-NLOPB 2014]). The 2014 harvest locations for both fixed and mobile gears are shown in Figure 4.6.

Source: DFO commercial landings database, 2014. Notes: Sum of catch weight quartile codes is the summation of quartile codes (i.e., 1‒4) for all catch records for all species; the greater the

sum of quartile code counts, the greater the catch weight for a given month. Figure 4.5 Monthly Sums of Catch Weight Quartile Codes in the Study Area, All Species,

May‒November 2014. 4.2.2 Traditional and Aboriginal Fisheries Several communal commercial fisheries licences (CCFL) are held by Aboriginal groups in the Study Area. The Qalipu First Nation Band holds CCFLs for snow crab and groundfish in Div. 3K, and for shrimp in SFA 6 (D. Ball and D. Tobin, DFO, Resource Management and Aboriginal Affairs, pers. comm. 3 December 2015).. The Innu Nation of Labrador holds a CCFL for fixed gear groundfish harvesting in NAFO Div. 2J, 3LMNO, 2GH (north of the Study Area) and 3Ps (southwest of the Study Area). This licence also permits access to shrimp in SFAs 6 and 7 (D. Ball and D. Tobin, DFO, Resource Management and Aboriginal Affairs, pers. comm. 3 December 2015). There is potential for the Mi’kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA) to expand from the inshore into Div. 3KL, depending on future management measures for northern cod (D. Ball and D. Tobin, DFO, Resource Management and Aboriginal Affairs, pers. comm. 3 December 2015). The Nunatsiavut Government holds a Communal Snow Crab licence and allocation in Div. 2GHJ, north of 54º40’ N

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Sum

of Q

uart

ile C

atch

Ran

ges

Month


(DFO 2010). According to the Southern and Eastern Newfoundland SEAs (C-NLOPB 2010, 2014), there are no other known Aboriginal fisheries that occur in the Study Area.


Figure 4.6 Harvest Locations for Fixed (top) and Mobile (bottom) Gears in the Study Area, All

Species, May‒November 2014. 4.2.3 Recreational Fisheries Recreational fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador are briefly described in § 4.3.4.4 of the Eastern Newfoundland SEA (C-NLOPB 2014). In 2015, the recreational groundfish fishery occurred in all NAFO areas around Newfoundland and Labrador, including Div. 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R, with


the exception of the Eastport (northeast Newfoundland) and Gilbert Bay (southeast Labrador) Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (DFO 2015d). Portions of Div. 2J and 3KL overlap the Study Area. This fishery, which was conducted primarily in coastal and inshore waters (C-NLOPB 2014), was open for three weeks in the summer (July‒August) of 2015, and for nine days in September, 2015 (DFO 2015d). Although information for the 2016 recreational fishery season is not yet available on the DFO website, the dates for the summer and fall recreational fisheries are quite consistent from year to year. Species typically harvested during recreational fisheries include brown trout (Salmo trutta), Atlantic mackerel, squid (Illex sp.), capelin (Mallotus villosus) and Atlantic cod (C. Boland, DFO, pers. comm. 2009 in C-NLOPB 2010). Current management measures indicate that there is no requirement for licences or tags, and the retention of Atlantic halibut, spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor), northern wolfish (A. denticulatus) and any species of shark is prohibited (DFO 2015d). Given the Study Area’s distance from shore, it is unlikely that any recreational fisheries will be conducted in it. 4.2.4 Aquaculture As indicated in the Eastern Newfoundland SEA (see § 4.3.4.3 in C-NLOPB 2014), there are not any approved aquaculture sites in the Study Area. Currently, all aquaculture sites in Newfoundland and Labrador are located on the coast, west of the Study Area (see Figure 4.150 in C-NLOPB 2014; DFA 2015). 4.2.5 DFO and Industry Science Surveys While DFO Research Vessel (RV) data were described qualitatively in the EA (see § 5.5.1.4 in YOLO/RPS 2012), no actual data were presented in tables and figures. Results of analysis of the May‒November 2013 dataset for spring (May‒June) and fall (September‒November) RV surveys in the Study Area indicated the following predominant species: deepwater redfish (42% of total catch weight), American plaice (11%), yellowtail flounder (10%), capelin (8%) and Atlantic cod (7%). Catch weights, catch numbers and mean depths of species/groups contributing ≥0.1% of the total catch weight as well as species at risk caught during the 2013 spring and fall RV surveys in the Study Area are presented in Table 4.3. Total catch weight across all species caught during the 2013 DFO RV survey in the Study Area was 41 mt. During 2013, RV survey harvest locations were in the western portions of the Study Area and 2016 AOI, primarily in areas where water depths were <1,000 m (Figure 4.7). Predominant species and catches at various mean depth ranges are presented in Table 4.4.


Table 4.3 Catch Weights and Numbers, and Mean Catch Depths of Macroinvertebrates and Fishes Collected during DFO RV Surveys in the Study Area, May‒November 2013.

Species

Catch

Weight (mt) Catch Number Mean Catch Depth (m) Spring Fall

Deepwater Redfish 17 81,633 530 328 American Plaice 5 34,180 357 137 Yellowtail Flounder 4 12,297 72 70 Capelin 3 157,327 150 - Atlantic Cod 3 2,700 157 150 Thorny Skate 1 1,063 462 182 Offshore Sand Lance 1 89,561 109 - Greenland Halibut 1 8,461 541 333 Roughhead Grenadier 1 2,013 616 415 Northern Shrimp 1 131,613 258 282 Jellyfishes 0.4 159 602 366 Basket Star 0.4 21 143 239 Snow Crab 0.4 2,091 189 181 Atlantic Wolffish 0.3 533 438 279 Sea Anemone 0.3 2,909 476 235 Witch Flounder 0.3 826 592 300 Striped Shrimp 0.2 64,296 122 133 Shrimp (Argis dentata) 0.2 42,530 141 130 Green Sea Urchin 0.2 13,686 135 113 Sponges 0.2 9 431 335 Orange-footed Sea Cucumber 0.1 175 144 146 Spotted Wolfish 0.1 81 468 297 Northern Wolffish 0.1 91 647 514 Atlantic Halibut 0.1 8 449 409 Black Dogfish Shark 0.1 101 947 616 Sand Dollar (Echinarachnius parma) 0.1 4,603 118 153 Comb Jelly 0.1 n/d 73 65 Toad Crab 0.1 4,998 110 142 Sand Dollar 0.1 3,599 158 133 Arctic Eelpout 0.1 273 211 - Spinytail Skate 0.1 30 704 792 Moustache Sculpin 0.05 4,650 115 - Polar Sea Star 0.05 536 114 123 Blue Hake 0.05 435 712 - Golden Redfish 0.04 46 562 298 Rigid Cushion Star 0.03 186 416 416 Marlin Spike 0.03 436 623 - Eelpout sp. 0.02 348 420 - Sea Urchin 0.02 1,211 498 - Spatulate Sculpin 0.02 990 149 - Vahl's Eelpout 0.02 161 534 - Corals 0.02 299 465 390

Total 40 671,165 403 193 Source: DFO RV Survey Data, 2013. Notes: n/d denotes data unavailable.


Source: DFO Research Vessel Survey Database, 2013.

Figure 4.7 Distribution of DFO RV Survey Catch Locations in the Study Area,

May‒November 2013. Table 4.4 Total Catch Weights and Predominant Species Caught at Various Mean Catch

Depth Ranges, DFO RV Surveys, May‒November 2013.

Mean Catch Depth Range (m) Total Catch Weight (mt) Predominant Species (% of Total Catch Weight)

<100 4 Yellowtail Flounder (96%) Comb Jelly (2%)

≥100 ‒ <200 9 Capelin (38%) Atlantic Cod (31%) Offshore Sand Lance (9%)

≥200 ‒ <300 5 American Plaice (87%) Northern Shrimp (12%)

≥300 ‒ <400 2 Thorny Skate (65%) Atlantic Wolffish (16%) Sponges (9%)

≥ 400 ‒ <500 1 Sea Anemone (57%) Atlantic Halibut (21%)

≥500 ‒ <600 19 Deepwater Redfish (92%) Greenland Halibut (4%)

≥600 ‒ <700 1 Roughhead Grenadier (89%) Marlin Spike (4%)

≥700 ‒ <800 0.2 Northern Wolffish (65%) Roundnose Grenadier (11%)

≥800 ‒ <900 0.2 Black Dogfish Shark (53%) Spinytail Skate (25%) Blue Hake (21%)

≥900 ‒ <1,000 0.003 Soft Deep Sea Urchin (100%)

≥1,000 0.01 Octopus (Stauroteuthis syrtensis) (52%) Deepsea Cat Shark (44%)

Source: DFO Research Vessel Survey Database, 2013. Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 17 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

The tentative schedule of the 2016 DFO multispecies science surveys (RV surveys) is presented below (Table 4.5) (G. Sheppard, DFO, Technician, pers. comm. 27 January 2016). Spring RV surveys are currently set to begin at the end of March and continue into early-June, and will potentially occur in the Study Area during early-May to early-June. DFO fall RV surveys will begin in mid-September and end in early-December, and will potentially occur in the Study Area during early-October to early-December. Table 4.5 Tentative Schedule of DFO RV Surveys in 2016.

NAFO Division Start Date End Date Vessel 3P 29 Mar 12 Apr Needler 3L 5 Apr 26 Apr Teleost 3P 12 Apr 26 Apr Needler 3L 26 Apr 2 May Vladykov a 3P + 3KLMNO 27 Apr 2 May Teleost 3P + 3O 27 Apr 10 May Needler 3KL 3 May 21 May Teleost 3O + 3N 10 May 21 May Needler 3L + 3N 24 May 10 Jun Needler 3K 6 Jul 18 Jul Vladykov 3K 20 Jul 24 Jul Vladykov 3L 15 Aug 21 Aug Vladykov 3K 23 Aug 25 Aug Vladykov 3O 14 Sep 27 Sep Needler 3L 17 Sep 24 Sep Vladykov 3O + 3N 27 Sep 8 Oct Needler 2H 4 Oct 8 Oct Teleost 3N + 3L 11 Oct 25 Oct Needler 2H + 2J 11 Oct 25 Oct Teleost 3L 17 Oct 26 Oct Vladykov 3L 25 Oct 8 Nov Needler 2J + 3K 25 Oct 8 Nov Teleost 3K + 3L 9 Nov 19 Nov Needler 3K 9 Nov 22 Nov Teleost 3K + 3L Deep 22 Nov 6 Dec Teleost

Notes: a The Vladykov will be partaking in science surveys (e.g., cod tagging, Trinity Bay Ecosystem), but not in the spring or fall NL RV surveys. Start/end dates subject to change as trip plans are finalized (G. Sheppard, DFO, Technician, pers. comm. 27 January 2016). The Industry-DFO Collaborative Post-season Trap Survey for Snow Crab was described in § 5.5.1.4 of the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012). As indicated in the EA and in Figure 4.8, numerous survey stations are located in the western portion of the Study Area, in NAFO Div. 3K, 3L and 3N. Numerous stations occur in the western and southwestern portions of the 2016 AOI, in areas where water depths range between 100 and 500 m. Sampling at these stations in 2016 will occur during the September–November period.


Source: DFO 2015d.

Figure 4.8 Locations of Sampling Stations Associated with the Industry-DFO Collaborative

Post-season Trap Survey for Snow Crab. 4.3 Seabirds The new information presented in this subsection does not change the effects predictions made in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its associated Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015a,b; PGS 2015; LGL 2016). Accumulating evidence suggests the population of Newfoundland Leach’s Storm-Petrels is experiencing significant declines. Baccalieu Island, located on the northeast corner of the Avalon Peninsula, supports the largest breeding colony of Leach’s Storm-Petrels in the world. Preliminary results from a 2013 survey of nesting Leach’s Storm-Petrels on Baccalieu Island provide an estimate of just over 2 million pairs (~ 40% decline from the previous survey in 1984) (EC-CWS unpublished). The results of surveys of nesting Leach’s Storm-Petrels on Gull Island in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve showed a drop from 352,000 breeding pairs in 2001 to 180,000 pairs in 2012, a decline of ~51%. (EC-CWS unpublished). The reasons for the decline are unknown at this time. There have been recent studies of the movements of Leach’s Storm-Petrel using telemetry. A bird outfitted with a geolocator in the Gull Island, Newfoundland colony migrated to Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa in early-December, averaging 420 km/day during the 12-day migration. The Leach’s Storm-Petrel appears to have remained in this area for at least five weeks, at which time the transmitter stopped functioning. A Leach’s Storm-Petrel tagged in Nova Scotia followed a similar southward track, departing Nova Scotia in mid-October. It staged for several weeks near the Cape Verde


Islands before continuing on to the eastern tip of Brazil where it spent the rest of the winter. It migrated north again in early-April (Pollet et al. 2014a). Leach’s Storm-Petrels outfitted with geolocators travelled up to 1,015±238 km during foraging trips from nesting colonies in Nova Scotia (Pollet et al. 2014b). Newfoundland breeders can be expected to travel a similar distance from their breeding colonies, if required, putting most of the Study Area off eastern and southern insular Newfoundland within reach. 4.4 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles The new information presented in this subsection does not change the effects predictions made in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its associated Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015a,b; PGS 2015; LGL 2016). 4.4.1 Updated SARA and COSEWIC Designations Complete SARA and COSEWIC designations for all species expected to occur in the Study Area were not provided in the original EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) or its associated EA Updates (YOLO/RPS 2013, 2014; Keel/RPS 2015a). Table 4.6 provides the current SARA and COSEWIC status for each species considered in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012). One species, the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), has been added to the list of species considered in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012). 4.4.2 Updated Population/Abundance Estimates Population abundance estimates for marine mammal species considered in the original EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) have not been updated in the associated EA Updates (YOLO/RPS 2013, 2014; Keel/RPS 2015a). The most recent comprehensive discussion of abundance estimates for marine mammals in the Study Area was provided in a WesternGeco EA for Eastern Newfoundland (LGL 2015). One update of population/abundance estimates described in the WesternGeco EA (LGL 2015) is as follows:

• Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) – the current estimate for the western North Atlantic stock is 1,618 individuals (CV = 0.33; Waring et al. 2015).

4.4.3 Additional References Profiles of marine mammal species considered in the original EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) were not updated in the associated EA Updates (YOLO/RPS 2013, 2014; Keel/RPS 2015a). The most recent comprehensive descriptions of marine mammals in the Study Area were provided in a WesternGeco EA for Eastern Newfoundland (LGL 2015). Updates of information for marine mammals discussed in the WesternGeco Eastern Newfoundland EA (LGL 2015) are as follow:


Table 4.6 Current SARA and COSEWIC Status of Marine Mammals Expected to Occur in the Study Area.

Species SARA Statusa

COSEWIC

Statusb Baleen Whales (Mysticetes)

North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) Schedule 1: Endangered E

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) Schedule 3: Special Concern NAR

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Schedule 1: Endangered E

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Schedule 1: Special Concern SC

Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis) NS DD; HPC Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) NS NAR Toothed Whales (Odontocetes) Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) NS NAR; MPC

Northern Bottlenose Whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus)

Schedule 1: Endangered c /

NS d E c / SC d

Sowerby’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bidens) Schedule 1: Special Concern SC

Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)e NS E Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) NS NAR Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) NS NAR White-beaked Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) NS NAR Atlantic White-sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) NS NAR

Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) NS NAR Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus) NS NAR Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) NS SC Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) NS NAR

Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Schedule 2: Threatened SC

True Seals (Phocids) Harp Seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) NS NC; LPC Hooded Seal (Cystophora cristata) NS NAR; MPC Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) NS NAR Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida) NS NAR; HPC Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus) NS DD;MPC

Notes: a Species designation under the Species at Risk Act (GC 2016); NS = No Status. b Species designation by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada; COSEWIC 2016);

E = Endangered, SC = Special Concern, DD = Data Deficient, NAR = Not at Risk, NC = Not Considered, LPC = Low-priority Candidate , MPC = Mid-priority Candidate, HPC = High-priority Candidate.

c Scotian Shelf population. d Davis Strait-Baffin Bay-Labrador Sea population. e Population affiliation is unclear and may come from any of the seven distinct populations of belugas in Canada

(COSEWIC 2004).


McCordic et al. (2014), using images from the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalogue (NAHWC), examined humpback whale flukes for the presence of rake marks from killer whales. They found that in the Canadian western North Atlantic (including the Newfoundland and Labrador region and the Quebec shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence), humpbacks have a scarring rate almost twice that of either the Gulf of Maine or West Greenland. According to the authors, this suggests that the Canadian population of killer whales may prey preferentially on marine mammals. Matthews and Ferguson (2014) analyzed stable isotopes in the tooth collagen of killer whales from the Eastern Canadian Arctic (ECA) and the northwest Atlantic (NWA) (samples from Newfoundland). Significant differences in stable nitrogen isotope values between killer whales from the two areas support the hypothesis that ECA and NWA killer whales are from largely non-overlapping populations. Despite these inter-area differences, ECA and NWA killer whales were found to forage at similar trophic levels. 4.5 Species at Risk The new information presented in this subsection does not change the effects predictions made in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its associated Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015b,c; PGS 2015; LGL 2016). Table 4.7 includes the species/populations at risk that could potentially occur in the Study Area, based on available information at the websites for SARA and COSEWIC as of April 2016. Changes in species status since preparation of the 2015 EA Update are described below and noted in red font and light grey shading in Table 4.7.

• Winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) (Eastern Scotian Shelf – Newfoundland population) added; given endangered status under COSEWIC in May 2015; and

• Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) has been given two separate statuses under SARA: (1) the leatherback sea turtle, in general, has an endangered status under Schedule 1 of SARA but no status under COSEWIC; and (2) the Atlantic population of this sea turtle has an endangered status under COSEWIC but no status under SARA.

As of April 2016, no other species/populations that could potentially occur in the Study Area have been added to Schedule 1 of SARA. A ‘proposed’ recovery strategy and management plan for the Red Knot in Canada (ECCC 2016) has been recently prepared and is currently available for review until May 29 2016. MKI will monitor SARA issues through the law gazettes, the Internet, and communication with DFO and Environment Canada, and will adaptively manage any issues that may arise in the future. MKI will comply with relevant regulations pertaining to SARA Recovery Strategies and Action Plans, and continue to exercise due caution to minimize impacts on species at risk during all of its operations. MKI also understands that other species/populations may be given either endangered or threatened status under Schedule 1 of SARA during the course of the Project, and will continue to monitor for any status changes. Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 22 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

Table 4.7 SARA-Listed and COSEWIC-Assessed Marine Species that Potentially Occur in the Study Area.

SPECIES SARAa COSEWICb

Common Name Scientific Name Endangered Threatened Special Concern Endangered Threatened Special

Concern Marine Mammals Blue Whale (Atlantic population) Balaenoptera musculus Schedule 1 X North Atlantic Right Whale Eubalaena glacialis Schedule 1 X Northern Bottlenose Whale (Scotian Shelf population) Hyperoodon ampullatus Schedule 1 X

Fin Whale (Atlantic population) Balaenoptera physalus Schedule 1 X Sowerby’s Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens Schedule 1 X Harbour Porpoise (Northwest Atlantic population) Phocoena phocoena Schedule 2 X

Humpback Whale (Western North Atlantic population) Megaptera novaeangliae Schedule 3

Killer Whale (Northwest Atlantic/ Eastern Arctic population) Orcinus orca X

Northern Bottlenose Whale (Davis Strait-Baffin Bay-Labrador Sea population)

Hyperoodon ampullatus X

Sea Turtles Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea Schedule 1 Leatherback Tea Turtle (Atlantic population) Dermochelys coriacea X

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta X Fishes White Shark (Atlantic population) Carcharodon carcharias Schedule 1 X Northern Wolffish Anarhichas denticulatus Schedule 1 X Spotted Wolffish Anarhichas minor Schedule 1 X Atlantic Wolffish Anarhichas lupus Schedule 1 X Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua Schedule 3 Atlantic Cod (Newfoundland and Labrador population) Gadus morhua X

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Thunnus thynnus X Porbeagle Shark Lamna nasus X


SPECIES SARAa COSEWICb

Common Name Scientific Name Endangered Threatened Special Concern Endangered Threatened Special

Concern Roundnose Grenadier Coryphaenoides rupestris X Cusk Brosme brosme X Smooth Skate (Funk Island Deep population) Malacoraja senta X

Winter Skate (Eastern Scotian Shelf – Newfoundland population) Leucoraja ocellata X

American Eel Anguilla rostrata X Shortfin Mako Shark (Atlantic population) Isurus oxyrinchus X

American Plaice (Newfoundland and Labrador population)

Hippoglossoides platessoides X

Atlantic Salmon (South Newfoundland population) Salmo salar X

Acadian Redfish (Atlantic population) Sebastes fasciatus X Deepwater Redfish (Northern population) Sebastes mentella X

White Hake (Atlantic and Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence population) Urophycis tenuis X

Blue Shark (Atlantic population) Prionace glauca X Basking Shark (Atlantic population) Cetorhinus maximus X Spiny Dogfish (Atlantic population) Squalus acanthias X Roughhead Grenadier Macrourus berglax X Thorny Skate Amblyraja radiata X Birds Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea Schedule 1 X Red Knot rufa spp. Calidris canutus rufa Schedule 1 X Sources: a SARA website (http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/default_e.cfm), accessed April 2016; b COSEWIC website (http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/index.htm); accessed April 2016.


4.6 Sensitive Areas The new information presented in this subsection does not change the effects predictions made in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its associated Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015b,c; PGS 2015; LGL 2016). There have not been any new designations or modifications of Coral/Sponge Closure Areas by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Scientific Council since the 2015 EA Update (see § 4.2.2 of Keel/RPS 2015a; NAFO 2015c). Twelve of the 13 Coral/Sponge Closure Areas overlap with the Study Area. These Coral/Sponge Closure Areas are closed to all bottom fishing activities until at least 31 December 2020 (NAFO 2015c). A recent Terms of Reference released by DFO detailed an upcoming national peer review in March 2016 in Halifax, NS. The review will address the needs of DFO Ecosystems and Fisheries Management in developing clear guidance on how to use location data of coral and sponge concentrations in Canadian waters in the delineation of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs), and relate these concentrations to the NAFO fishing footprint of bottom contact fisheries (DFO 2016a). No additional EBSAs have been designated in either the Placentia Bay–Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area (PG-GB LOMA) or the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion since the 2015 EA Update was prepared (see § 4.2.2 of Keel/RPS 2015a). The two PB-GB LOMA EBSAs (Northwest Shelf and Slope, Virgin Rocks) and one NL Shelf Bioregion EBSA (Orphan Spur) that overlap with the Study Area are shown in Figure 4.9. The key attributes of these EBSAs were presented in Table 5.20 of the MKI EA (YOLO/RPS 2012). A Terms of Reference related to Canada’s agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi Target 11 was recently released by DFO. It includes the goal of conserving 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020 (DFO 2016b). Given that DFO’s Oceans Program aims to identify and/or clarify particular sub-areas for each EBSA in the NL Shelves Bioregion, Oceans has requested that DFO Science provide detailed descriptions of sub-areas of the EBSAs in the PB-GB LOMA, as well as geospatially-referenced data layers for sub-areas of the EBSAs in the PB-GB LOMA and NL Shelves Bioregion (DFO 2016b). No NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Areas, including Seamount Closure Areas, have been designated or modified since the 2015 EA Update was prepared (NAFO 2015c). Orphan Knoll is the only Seamount Closure Area in the Study Area (Figure 4.9), and it is briefly described in § 5.4.8.8 of the MKI EA (YOLO/RPS 2012). Protection of the Bonavista Cod Box from commercial fisheries (excluding snow crab fishery) and other invasive activities was recommended by the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC). This level of protection was never applied. As indicated in its description in § 5.4.8.6 of YOLO/RPS (2012), the Bonavista Cod Box is an important area for cod spawning and juvenile cod. All but a small portion of the Bonavista Cod Box overlaps the Study Area (Figure 4.9).


Figure 4.9 Sensitive Areas that Overlap the Study Area. 5.0 Consultations The document One Ocean Protocol for Consultation Meetings: Recommendations for the Fishing and Petroleum Industries in Newfoundland and Labrador (One Ocean 2013a) outlines recommendations for preparing, convening and following up on consultation meetings. Newsletters describing the seismic activities proposed for 2016 were distributed during the week of 14 March 2016 to the same stakeholders/groups consulted in previous years. The newsletter and details of those consulted by MKI are presented in Appendices 1 and 2, respectively. Face-to-face meetings (see Appendix 2) were held with DFO, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union/Unifor (FFAW/Unifor), and Ocean Choice International (OCI) on 27 January 2016. The discussion with DFO focused on MKI’s acquisition plans with respect to the Industry-DFO Collaborative Post-season Trap Survey for Snow Crab. During MKI’s meeting with the FFAW/Unifor, the focus of conversation was related to routine communication and coordination between MKI and the fishing industry. Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 26 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

The meeting with OCI involved discussion of scheduling of MKI’s activities around OCI’s anticipated activities during the early part of the season. During consultations with stakeholders prior to submission of the 2016 Update, maps showing possible areas for 3D surveying in the Flemish Pass basin where shown. Details were not included in the original 2016 Update as the survey had not been finalized at the time of submission. Following finalization of the 3D survey, MKI had additional meetings and communications with stakeholders where information on the 3D survey was conveyed. See Figure 1.1 for location of 3D survey area. 6.0 Environmental Assessment The Environmental Assessment for MKI’s proposed project (YOLO/RPS 2012) was approved in 2012. Amendments of the EA were subsequently prepared and submitted to assess the addition of 3D surveying activities (Keel/RPS 2015a) and concurrent 2D and 3D surveying (Keel/RPS 2015b).

6.1 Mitigation Measures The mitigation measures described in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and associated documents (YOLO/RPS 2013, 2014; Keel/RPS 2015a,b,c; PGS 2015; LGL 2016), some of which were clarified in § 5.2 of the most recent EA Amendment (LGL 2016), remain applicable to MKI’s seismic survey activities proposed for 2016. In 2011, One Ocean reviewed fishing and petroleum industry processes and practices for offshore seismic survey operations in Newfoundland and Labrador with the intention of identifying opportunities to better understand and improve operational processes that would mutually benefit both industries. Results of the review are outlined in the document One Ocean Protocol for Seismic Survey Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador (One Ocean 2013b). 6.2 Validity of Significance Determinations Based on careful consideration of newly available biological environment information in § 4.0 and results of consultations with stakeholders, the determinations of significance of the residual effects of seismic survey activities on VECs presented in the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015a,b; PGS 2015; LGL 2016) remain valid for the seismic survey activities proposed by MKI in 2016. 7.0 Concluding Statement The seismic survey activities that MKI plans to conduct in 2016 have been reviewed and determined to be within the scope of the EA (YOLO/RPS 2012) and its Amendments (Keel/RPS 2015a,b; PGS 2015; LGL 2016). The environmental effects predicted in the EA and its Amendments remain valid. MKI reaffirms its commitment to implement the mitigation measures proposed in these assessment documents and in the Screening Decisions made by the C-NLOPB. Environmental Assessment Update of the MKI Page 27 Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2D Seismic Survey Programme, 2012‒2017

8.0 References Casas, J.M. 2015. Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) on Flemish Cap Surveys 2015. NAFO SCR

Doc. 15/047. C-NLOPB (Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board 2010. Southern

Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment. LGL Rep. SA1037. Rep. by LGL Limited, Oceans Limited, Canning & Pitt Associates Inc. and PAL Environmental Services, St. John’s, NL, for Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, St. John’s, NL. 333 p. + appendices.

C-NLOPB. 2014. Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment. Rep. by AMEC

Environment & Infrastructure, St. John’s, NL, for the C-NLOPB, St. John’s, NL. 527 p. + appendices.

C-NLOPB. 2012. Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board: Geophysical,

Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical Program Guidelines, January, 2012. COSEWIC. 2004. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the beluga whale Delphinapterus

leucas in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, ON. ix + 70 p.

COSEWIC. 2016. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada website. Available at

http://www.cosewic.gc.ca. DFA (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture). 2015. Seafood industry year in review 2014. Fisheries

and Aquaculture, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. 38 p. Available at http://www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/.

DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). 2010. Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) – Newfoundland and

Labrador – 2009-2011. Government of Canada. Available at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/peches-fisheries/ifmp-gmp/snow-crab-neige/snow-crab-neiges2009-eng.htm.

DFO. 2015a. Oceanographic conditions in the Atlantic zone in 2014. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci.

Advis. Rep. 2015/030. DFO. 2015b. Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci.

Advis. Rep. 2015/029. DFO. 2015c. Assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) in Shrimp Fishing Areas 4-6 (NAFO

Divisions 2G-3K) and of Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in Shrimp Fishing Area 4 (NAFO Division 2G). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2015/018.

DFO. 2015d. Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic – 2015. Government of Canada.

Available at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/decisions/fm-2015-gp/index-atl-eng.htm.


DFO. 2016a. Terms of Reference. Delineation of significant areas of coldwater corals and sponge-dominated communities in Canada’s Atlantic and Eastern Arctic marine waters. National Peer Review ‒ National Capital Region. March 8-10, 2016, Halifax, NS. Available at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Schedule-Horraire/2016/03_08-10-eng.html.]

DFO. 2016b. Terms of Reference. Refinement of information relating to Ecologically and Biologically

Significant Areas (EBSAs) identified in the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Bioregion. Regional Science Response Process ‒ Newfoundland and Labrador Region. January 29, 2016, St. John’s, NL. Available at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Schedule-Horraire/2016/01_29b-eng.html.

ECCC (Environment and Climate Change Canada). 2016. Recovery Strategy and Management Plan for

the Red Knot (Calidris canutus) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. ix + 54 pp.

EC-CWS (Environment Canada-Canadian Wildlife Service). Unpublished data. Keel/RPS (Keel HSE Management Inc./RPS Energy Canada). 2015a. Update Report: Environmental

Impact Assessment for Marine 2-D Seismic 2012-2017 Reflection Survey Northeast Newfoundland Slope. Rep. by Keel HSE Management Inc., Dartmouth, NS and RPS Energy Canada, Halifax, NS for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway. 34 p. + appendix.

Keel/RPS. 2015b. Amendment Report: Environmental Assessment Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2-D

Seismic Survey. Rep. by Keel HSE Management Inc., Dartmouth, NS and RPS Energy Canada, Halifax, NS for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway. 17 p. + appendix.

Keel/RPS. 2015c. Amendment Report: Environmental Assessment Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2-D

Seismic Survey. Rep. by Keel HSE Management Inc., Dartmouth, NS and RPS Energy Canada, Halifax, NS for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway. 16 p.

LGL (LGL Limited). 2015. Environmental Assessment of WesternGeco’s Eastern Newfoundland

Offshore Seismic Program, 2015-2024. LGL Rep. FA0035. Prepared by LGL Limited in association with Canning & Pitt Associates Inc., St. John’s, NL for WesternGeco (Division of Schlumberger Canada Limited), Calgary, AB. 255 p. + appendices.

LGL. 2016. Amendment of MKI’s Environmental Assessment of the Northeast Newfoundland Slope

2-D Seismic Programme, 2012-2017. Rep. (Reference No. FA0064) by LGL Limited, St. John’s, NL for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway. 11 p.

Matthews, C.J. and S.H. Ferguson. 2014. Spatial segregation and similar trophic-level diet among

eastern Canadian Arctic/north-west Atlantic killer whales inferred from bulk and compound specific isotopic analysis. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 94(6): 1343–1355.


McCordic, J.A., S.K. Todd, and P. T. Stevick. 2014. Differential rates of killer whale attacks on humpback whales in the North Atlantic as determined by scarification. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 94(6): 1311–1315.

Morgan, M.J. 2015. Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in NAFO Subarea 2 and

Divisions 3KLMNO: stock trends based on annual Canadian research vessel survey results. NAFO SR Doc. 15/041.

NAFO (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization). 2014. Report of Scientific Council Meeting,

31 May - 12 June 2014. NAFO. 2015a. NAFO making waves: Bans on bottom fishing. Press Release. Available at

http://www.nafo.int/fisheries/frames/fishery.html. NAFO. 2015b. NAFO regulated stocks. Available at http://www.nafo.int/science/nafo-stocks.html. NAFO. 2015c. Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization conservation and enforcement measures.

NAFO/FC Doc. 15/01. Serial No. N6409. NAFO. 2016. NAFO quota tables. Available at http://www.nafo.int/fisheries/frames/fishery.html. PGS. 2015. Amendment to EA for Waste Management on NE Newfoundland Slope Program. Letter

by PGS for the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, St. John’s, NL. 2 p.

Pollet, I.L, A. Hedd, P.D. Taylor, W.A. Montevecchi and D. Shutler. 2014a. Migratory movements and

wintering areas of Leach’s Storm-Petrels tracked using geolocators. Journal of Field Ornithology. 85:321-328, 2014.

Pollet, I. L., R. A. Ronconi, I. D. Jonsen, M. L. Leonard, P. D. Taylor and D. Shutler. 2014b. Foraging

movements of Leach’s storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa during incubation. Journal of Avian Biology 45:001-010, 2014.

Román, E., Á. Armesto and D. González-Troncoso. 2015. Results for the Atlantic cod, roughhead

grenadier, redfish, thorny skate and black dogfish of the Spanish Survey in the NAFO Div. 3L for the period 2003-2014. NAFO SCR Doc. 15/020.

SARA (Species at Risk Act) website. 2016. Available at

http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=24F7211B-1 Waring, G.T., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, and P.E. Rosel (eds.). 2015. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of

Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 2014. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS NE 231: 361 p. doi: 10.7289/V5TQ5ZH0.


YOLO/RPS (YOLO Environmental Inc./RPS Energy Canada). 2012. Environmental Assessment: Northeast Newfoundland Slope 2-D Seismic Survey Programme 2012-2017. Rep. by YOLO Environmental Inc., Dartmouth, NS and RPS Energy Canada, Halifax, NS for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway. 279 p. + appendices.

YOLO/RPS. 2013. Update Report: Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine 2-D Seismic

Reflection Survey Northeast Newfoundland Slope. Rep. by YOLO Environmental Inc., Dartmouth, NS and RPS Energy Canada, Halifax, NS for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway. 14 p. + appendix.

YOLO/RPS. 2014. Update Report: Environmental Assessment for Marine 2-D Seismic 2012-2017

Reflection Survey Northeast Newfoundland Slope. Rep. by YOLO Environmental Inc., Dartmouth, NS and RPS Energy Canada, Halifax, NS for Multi Klient Invest AS, Oslo, Norway. 30 p. + appendix.

Personal Communications: D. Ball. Resource Management and Aboriginal Affairs, DFO. 3 December 2015. D. Tobin. Resource Management and Aboriginal Affairs, DFO. 3 December 2015. G. Sheppard. Program Services and Planning, DFO. 27 January 2016.


List of Appendices Appendix 1 – MKI Newsletter Distributed to Consultees Appendix 2 – List of Consultees Contacted by MKI


Appendix 1

MKI Newsletter Distributed to Consultees

This news update is to inform stakeholders and other interested parties of the continuation of MKI’s current seismic program, started in 2012, in Newfoundland Slope offshore waters. The Project Area is within the regulatory jurisdiction of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) and it is expected that the Sanco Spirit will be acquiring the survey between June and October 2016

The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the NE Newfoundland Slope Seismic Program 2012-2017 along with additional documentation including the Annual EA Update can be accessed on the C-NLOPB website (www.cnlopb.ca).

From the C-NLOPB homepage, click on the “Environment” link near the bottom of the page. Then click on the “Project-Based Environmental Assessment” link. Click on the “Completed” link. Once this page has opened, scroll down to the project titled “Multi Klient Invest AS Northeast Newfoundland Slope Seismic Program 2012-2017” and click on the link. Here you can find all environmental documents related to this project.

The EA provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the project. The overview includes: information on the Physical and Biological Environment, including Fisheries, Fish and Fish Habitat, Marine Mammals and Species at Risk, and a Cumulative Effects Assessment.

Upon the completion of every acquisition season an Environmental Report is supplied to the C-NLOPB and other government agencies. This report summarizes the marine mammal observations, bird observations and interactions with fishing

Multi Klient Invest AS NE Newfoundland Slope Seismic Program 2016

As a component of the ongoing communications between MKI and local fisheries organizations, MKI will be providing weekly briefing materials including information such as updated schedules, maps, and/or revised timelines.

Contact Information If you have any inquiries regarding the Labrador Seismic Program (2014-2018) please feel free to contact:

Petroleum Geo-Services 15375 Memorial Drive, Suite 100 Houston, Texas, 77079 (P) 1-281-509-8000 (F) 1-281-509-8500 [email protected]

Figure 1: Sanco Spirit

Figure 2: Provisionally planned lines for 2016

How to Access Environmental Information about the Project

Ongoing Communication

Resumption of the Program in 2016

Employment Opportunities Employment opportunities associated with this year’s operating season have been considered and it has been determined that there will be possible hiring opportunities as part of the maritime crew. The recruitment process through a local agency will commence in the coming weeks and interested parties should look out for notices posted in community employment offices and other advertisements

Appendix 2

List of Consultees Contacted by MKI

Organization or Group Name Email Address Contact Name Engagement

Type Aquaforte

Aquaforte Town Council [email protected] Rhonda O’Keefe Table Meeting

Argentia Argentia Management Authority Inc. [email protected] Harvey

Brenton Table Meeting

Arnold's Cove

Town of Arnold's Cove [email protected] Angie Gale PPT, Handouts Avalon Ocean Products Inc. [email protected] Aloysius

Wadman Information

Pack Hopkins & Quinton Fisheries Ltd.

Information Pack

Icewater Seafoods Inc. [email protected] Alberto Wareham

Information Pack

Bay Bulls

Town of Bay Bulls [email protected] Sandra Table Meeting

Burin

Town of Burin [email protected] Leo Hartson, Town Manager PPT, Handouts

Department of Fisheries and Oceans- Coast Guard

Burin Harbour Authority [email protected] Morris Fudge Table Meeting

Burin Peninsula Environmental Reform Committee

[email protected] Information Pack

Goff Fisheries Limited Information Pack

College of North Atlantic

Wave Energy Research Centre [email protected]

Michael Graham,

Administrator

Information Pack

Come by Chance

Town of Come by Chance [email protected] Stephanie

Eddy, Clerk Information

Pack

Conne River

Miaqpukek First Nation [email protected]

Tracey Howse, Director,

Training and Economic

Development

Information Pack

Corner Brook

1


Type

Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band [email protected]

Ralph Eldridge, Manager of Community Economic

Development

Information Pack

Ferryland

Town of Ferryland [email protected] Table Meeting

M. & A. Fisheries Limited [email protected] Angus O’Connell

Information Pack

Ferryland Fisheries Limited Information

Pack Ferryland Fisheries Committee Limited->Now Ferryland Harbour Authority

Table Meeting

Fortune

Town of Fortune [email protected] Norma Stacey, Clerk Table Meeting

Fortune Harbour Authority [email protected] Table Meeting

Ocean Choice International (fish plant)

Atlantic Ocean Farms Limited [email protected] David Walsh,

President Information

Pack Grand Bank

Town of Grand Bank [email protected]

Sheila Durnford

Office Administrator

Table Meeting

Clearwater Fisheries Limited

Grand Bank Harbour Authority [email protected] Arch Evans Table Meeting

Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Marystown

Town of Marystown [email protected] Dennis Kelly, Clerk Table Meeting

Burin Peninsula Community Business Development Corporation

[email protected]

Audrey Hennebury,

Admin Assistant

Information Pack

Burin Peninsula Chamber of Commerce [email protected] Information

Pack

2


Type Burin Peninsula Environmental Reform Committee

Information Pack

Marystown Shipyard and Offshore Facilities [email protected] Wayne Butler,

President Table Meeting

Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Placentia

Town of Placentia [email protected] Debbie Gear,

Executive Assistant

Table Meeting

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development

Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce [email protected]

Eugene Collins,

Executive Director

Information Pack

Harbour Authority of Placentia Area [email protected] Carter

Pomeroy Table Meeting

Avalon Gateway Regional Economic Development Inc.

[email protected]

Michael Mooney, Executive Director

Information Pack

Avalon West Community Business Development Corporation

[email protected] Tanya White, Administrative

Assistant

Information Pack

Placentia Area Development Association [email protected]

Tiffany Seay-Hepditch, Executive Director

Information Pack

Southern Harbour Town of Southern Harbour [email protected] Renee Hickey Information

Pack St. Brides

Town of St. Brides [email protected] Joan

Morrissey, Clerk

Table Meeting

Ocean Choice International- Fish Plant

St. Bride’s Harbour Authoirty [email protected] Loretta

Conway

St. Johns

Fisheries and Oceans Canada- Coast Guard [email protected]

Jason Kelly, Senior

Fisheries Protection

Table Meeting

3


Type Biologist

Environment Canada [email protected] Glenn Troke. EA Coordinator Table Meeting

Transport Canada [email protected]

Clement Murphy,

Manager, Examinations,

and Enforcement

Table Meeting

Parks Canada [email protected]

Randy Thompson, Resource

Management Officer

Information Pack

National Defence [email protected] Table Meeting

St. Johns Port Authority [email protected]

Jeff McGrath, Director of

Marine Safety and Security

Table Meeting

Newfoundland and Labrador Environment and Conservation

Table Meeting

Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries and Aquaculture

[email protected] David Lewis,

Deputy Minister

Table Meeting

City of St. Johns [email protected] Ron Ellsworth, Deputy Mayor Table Meeting

Food, Fish, and Allied Workers [email protected]

Johan Joensen, Petroleum Industry Liaison

Table Meeting

One Ocean [email protected] Director Table Meeting

Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council [email protected]

Bruce Chapman, Executive Director

Table Meeting

Association of Seafood Producers [email protected]

Derek Butler, Executive Director

Table Meeting

Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador

[email protected] George Joyce,

Executive Director

Table Meeting

Beothic Fish Processors Ltd. [email protected]

Paul Grant, Executive Vice

President

Information Pack

4


Type Breakwater Fisheries Limited [email protected] Randy Barnes Information

Pack Canada Bay Seafoods Limited – Quinlin Brothers Subsidiary

Information Pack

Conche Seafoods Inc.- Quinlin Brothers Subsidiary

[email protected] Derrick Philpott, Director

Information Pack

Deep Atlantic International Inc. [email protected]

Martha Mullowney,

Director

Information Pack

Dorset Fisheries Limited– Quinlin Brothers Subsidiary

Information Pack

GC Rieber Carino Ltd. [email protected] John Kearley, CEO Table Meeting

Gulf Shrimp Limited – Quinlin Brothers Subsidiary

Table Meeting

HSF Ocean Products Limited [email protected] Todd Hickey,

Director Information

Pack

Nataaqnaq Fisheries [email protected] Keith Coady, Fleet Manager Table Meeting

Newfound Resources Limited [email protected]

Jeff Simms, Operations Manager

Information Pack

Notre Dame Seafoods Inc. [email protected]

Jason Eveleigh, President

Information Pack

San-Can Fisheries Limited [email protected] Sandra Goff,

Director Information

Pack

Ocean Choice International [email protected]

Rick Ellis, Director of

Fleet Operations

Table Meeting

Quinlan Brothers Ltd. [email protected] David Earle,

Chief Financial Officer

Table Meeting

Nature Newfoundland and Labrador [email protected] Len Zedel Table Meeting

St. Lawrence

Town of St. Lawrence [email protected] Ilyne Table Meeting Ocean Choice International-Fish Plant

St. Mary's

Town of St. Mary's [email protected] Patricia Table Meeting

Csi Sea Products Information Pack

Deep Atlantic Sea [email protected] Martha Information

5


Type Products (plant manager in St. Johns)

Mullowney, Plan Manager

Pack

Sunnyside

Town of Sunnyside [email protected] Philip Smith, Town Manager

Information Pack

Trepassey

Town of Trepassey [email protected] Jill MacNeil, Clerk

Information Pack

Trepassey Management Corporation [email protected] Rita Pennell,

Chairperson Information

Pack

Southern Avalon Development Association [email protected]

Anita Molloy, VP and Board

Member

Information Pack

Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Witless Bay

Town of Witless Bay [email protected] Geraldine Caul, Clerk

Information Pack

Shawmut Fisheries Ltd. Information Pack

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

6