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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
4.3
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Human Activities
The following provides an overview of the existing human environment of the SEA Study Area. This
includes, initially, a high-level overview of the various regions and communities that comprise the Eastern
Newfoundland region, as overall background and context. This overview is followed by a description of
those human activities that are particularly relevant to the scope of the SEA. This includes marine
fisheries and other activities and elements that occur within or near the marine environment, and which
therefore have the potential to interact with, and be affected by, future oil and gas activities in the SEA
Study Area.
4.3.1
Regions and Communities
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, and consists of the Island of
Newfoundland (111,390 km2), as well as Labrador (294,330 km2) which is located to the northwest on the
Canadian mainland. The province had a 2011 population of 514,536 residents (Statistics Canada
2013a). The Island of Newfoundland comprises less than 30 percent of the province’s total land area, but
is home to nearly 95 percent of its population. Residents live in approximately 250 municipalities and
many unincorporated communities that range in population from fewer than five to more than 100,000
(NLDMA 2013). Communities are widely distributed along the coastline as well as throughout the interior
of the Island.
The following provides general baseline information related to the eastern portion of the Island of
Newfoundland, specifically along the coast, with a focus on various relevant socioeconomic
characteristics such as population, economy, employment and business and housing.
This existing human environment is described in general for Eastern Newfoundland, including sub
regions that are organized for various purposes such as government administration or data collection
and dissemination. The discussion of population is based on Local Areas (Figure 4.113) as defined by
the NL Department of Finance’s Community Accounts system, and which correspond with Statistics
Canada’s Census Subdivisions. For the discussion of the regional economy, the focus is on the seven
relevant provincial Regional Economic Zones (Figure 4.114):
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Economic Zone 14: Gander - Fogo Island
Economic Zone 15: Clarenville - Bonavista
Economic Zone 16: Burin Peninsula
Economic Zone 17: Conception Bay North - Bay de Verde
Economic Zone 18: Whitbourne - St. Mary’s
Economic Zone 19: Northeast Avalon
Economic Zone 20: Southern Shore - Trepassey
Although the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Economic Zone Boards have been discontinued,
much of the available local and regional socioeconomic information is based on these boundaries. Thus,
they are a useful focus for presentation and analyses of data at the regional level for this SEA.
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Figure 4.113 Eastern Newfoundland, Local Areas
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Figure 4.114 Eastern Newfoundland, Economic Zones
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The most current and relevant available data and information are used to describe the existing (regional)
human environment. Baseline data are drawn from various sources including:

Federal government departments and agencies (e.g. Statistics Canada, Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corporation, Marine Atlantic);

Provincial government departments (e.g. Department of Finance, Department of Transportation
and Works, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Department of Municipal Affairs,
Department of Tourism, Statistics Agency including Community Accounts); and

Local businesses and associations involved in the seafood processing industry.
Depending on the topic (e.g. population or economy), data are compiled for Local Areas, Census
Subdivisions, Economic Zones or a combination of these.
4.3.2
Population
The population of the Eastern Newfoundland region was 354,752 persons in 2011. The majority of the
communities in the region are small coastal towns, with the most densely populated areas being located
on the Northeast Avalon as well as a number of other smaller centres at Gander, Clarenville and
Conception Bay North (NLSA 2013).
The populations of most areas of the province are declining but the overall population of Eastern
Newfoundland increased by 3.6 percent between 2001 and 2011 (Table 4.106). Growth occurred in the
Gander, Norris Arm, Clarenville, Bay Roberts, Holyrood and Northeast Avalon Local Areas, which
include the greater St. John’s area and other regional service centres. Some areas are experiencing
growth mainly in the residential sector due to their proximity to these centres. The population has also
been fairly stable in the Lewisporte, Gambo, Conception Bay North and Whitbourne Local Areas
(Statistics Canada 2013a).
Table 4.106
Population, Eastern Newfoundland Region
Local Area (Census Subdivisions)
Local Area 64: Twillingate Island
Local Area 63: New World Islands
Local Area 67: Fogo and Change Islands
Local Area 61: Lewisporte Area
Local Area 62: Notre Dame Bay South
Local Area 65: Hamilton Sound
Local Area 66: Straight Shore
Local Area 46: Wesleyville Area
Local Area 47: Greenspond Area
Local Area 57: Gambo Area
Local Area 45: Gander Area
Local Area 44: Norris Arm Area
Local Area 49: Chandlers Reach
Local Area 50: Southern Bay Area
Local Area 26: Placentia Bay North West
Local Area 53: Catalina Area
Local Area 51: Black Head Bay Area
2001
2006
2011
3,055
3,705
2,941
5,380
2,515
3,436
2,125
3,000
3,550
2,150
11,255
1,125
4,070
1,225
680
2,735
790
2,850
3,430
2,706
5,320
2,400
4,301
1,810
2,710
3,415
2,090
11,575
1,075
3,955
1,075
645
2,325
675
2,683
3,168
2,395
5,335
2,253
4,099
1,763
2,409
3,369
2,042
12,683
1,207
3,836
971
610
2,201
616
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% Change
(2001 to 2011)
-12.1%
-14.5%
-18.6%
-1%
-10.4%
19.2%
-17%
-19.7%
-5.1%
-5%
12.7%
7.3%
-5.7%
-20.7%
-10.3%
-19.5%
-22%
Page 316
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Local Area (Census Subdivisions)
Strategic Environmental Assessment
2001
Local Area 52: Bonavista Area
4,140
Local Area 54: Trinity, Trinity Bay Area
1,440
Local Area 55: Smith Sound-Random Island
7,620
Local Area 56: South West Arm Area
2,360
Local Area 1: Isthmus of Avalon
5,225
Local Area 18: Placentia Bay West Centre
1,675
Local Area 19: Mortier Bay
6,760
Local Area 5: North Shore of Conception Bay
3,985
Local Area 4: New Perlican-Winterton Area
2,350
Local Area 6: Carbonear Area
7,980
Local Area 7: Harbour Grace Area
5,450
Local Area 3: Heart’s Delight Area
4,360
Local Area 8: Spaniards Bay Area
2,930
Local Area 9: Bay Roberts Area
5,405
Local Area 16: Whitbourne Area
2,335
Local Area 10: Clarke’s Beach Area
5,760
Local Area 11: Head of Conception Bay
6,300
Local Area 2: Placentia-St. Bride’s Area
6,305
Local Area 15: St. Mary’s Bay
3,050
Local Area 12: Bell Island
3,075
Local Area 17: Northeast Avalon
172,980
Local Area 13: Southern Shore
3,750
Local Area 14: Trepassey Bay
1,350
Local Area 25:Terrenceville Area
1,145
Local Area 24: Bay L’Argent Area
1,310
Local Area 23: Fortune – Grand Bank Area
5,425
Local Area 22: Lamaline Area
1,785
Local Area 21: St. Lawrence Area
1,705
Local Area 20: Burin Area
3,900
Local Area 19: Mortier Bay
6,760
Eastern Newfoundland Region (Total)
342,352
Source: NLSA (2013), NLSA (2011), NLSA (2006)
4.3.3
2006
2011
3,865
1,200
7,850
2,150
4,915
1,530
6,220
3,725
2,115
7,780
5,375
4,155
2,790
5,705
2,355
5,685
6,705
5,620
2,780
2,780
181,145
3,655
1,165
955
1,145
4,995
1,580
1,485
3,695
6,220
343,697
3,654
973
8,533
2,055
4,748
1,342
6,297
3,433
1,961
7,638
5,392
4,191
2,897
5,864
2,287
5,211
6,748
5,063
2,607
2,690
197,081
3,241
8,73
937
1,021
4,713
1,473
1,374
3,391
6,297
354,752
% Change
(2001 to 2011)
-11.47%
-32.4%
12%
-12.9%
-9.1%
-19.9%
-6.8%
-13.9%
-16.6%
-4.3%
-1.1%
-3.9%
-1.1%
8.5%
-2.1%
-9.5%
7.1%
-19.7%
-14.5%
-12.5%
13.9%
-13.6%
-35.3%
-18.2%
-22.1%
-13.1%
-17.5%
-19.4%
-13.1%
-6.8%
3.6%
Economy, Employment and Business
The following sections provide a general and relatively high-level description of the economy and
associated employment and business activity in Eastern Newfoundland, as context for the SEA.
Additional information on specific aspects of the regional economy that are especially relevant to the
focus and scope of the SEA, such as fisheries and tourism, is provided in Sections 4.3.4 and 4.3.5.
4.3.3.1 Regional Economic Overview
The following paragraphs provide brief descriptions of economic activity within the seven economic
zones most relevant to the Eastern Newfoundland area (see Figure 4.114).
Economic Zone 14 includes an area from the interior of Newfoundland to the coast and encompasses
Gander, Twillingate and Fogo Island. Fishing remains an important economic activity here, and the area
has at least 12 seafood processors mainly located on Bonavista Bay, in the Twillingate and Fogo Island
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areas and on the Eastport Peninsula (ASP 2013; DFA 2013). Tourism is an emerging activity with
Twillingate, Fogo Island, Change Islands and Terra Nova National Park being top destinations (NL
Tourism 2013). Current major capital projects (greater than $1 million in investment) include health care
facilities in Glovertown and Lewisporte (NLDOF 2013).
Economic Zone 15 includes all of the Bonavista Peninsula along with Clarenville and the Isthmus of the
Avalon, and thus borders on Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay and Placentia Bay. Seafood processors are
located in the Bonavista area, Clarenville, Random Island and on the three bays (ASP 2013; DFA 2013).
Bonavista, Trinity and the White Hills Ski Resort are key seasonal tourism destinations. A sealing
industry interpretation centre is under construction at Elliston and the Terra Nova Golf resort is under
redevelopment and expansion (NLDOF 2013). New healthcare facilities are being built in Clarenville and
Bonavista. Major capital projects also include ongoing industrial infrastructure investments at the oil
refinery at Come By Chance. The gravity based structure (GBS) for the Hebron Offshore Oil Project is
being constructed at Bull Arm (NLDOF 2013).
Economic Zone 16 encompasses the whole of the Burin Peninsula. Seafood processors are located at
Marystown, Lawn and St. Lawrence (ASP 2013), and major capital projects include the construction of
offshore oil infrastructure and other marine vessels at Marystown. The Canadian Coast Guard is
developing a search and rescue station at Burin. Newspar is currently redeveloping the fluorspar mine at
St. Lawrence (NLDOF 2013).
Zone 17 includes all of the Northwest Avalon to the centre of the Peninsula. This area has at least 10
seafood processors located in both Trinity and Conception Bays (ASP 2013; DFA 2013). Brigus and
Cupids are top tourism attractions (NL Tourism 2013). Major capital investments include a new business
park at Spaniard’s Bay and health care facilities in Carbonear and Harbour Grace (NLDOF 2013).
The larger towns of Placentia and Whitbourne are located in Zone 18, which also encompasses the
eastern side of Placentia Bay and the west side of St. Mary’s Bay. One seafood producer is located St.
Bride’s, Placentia Bay and two are situated on St. Mary’s Bay (ASP 2013; DASP 2012; HSF nd, DFA
2013). Currently, two large capital investment projects are occurring in the region: the construction of
Vale’s nickel processing facility at Long Harbour and the replacement of the lift bridge in Placentia
(NLDOF 2013). Placentia Bay is a busy industrial area with current activities such as fishing, oil and gas
(Come By Chance and Whiffen Head), the Vale development at Long Harbour, the industrial port of
Argentia and the Marine Atlantic terminal also at Argentia. The Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve is
one of several major tourism destinations here (NL Tourism 2013).
The Northeast Avalon, Zone 19, is the location of the largest concentration of population and the largest
and most diverse economy in the province. The provincial capital of St. John’s and surrounding
municipalities are home to a varied range of government services, industrial development, commercial
and retail services, educational institutions and tourism activity. This area is also the supply base for the
current offshore oil and gas industry, with related infrastructure and services in St. John’s and Mount
Pearl.
Of the current 208 major capital projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, 119 are located in Eastern
Newfoundland, 96 are located in Zone 19 and another six are partly located in this area. Nearly half of
these are residential developments, of which many are condominiums, followed by commercial /
industrial and retail investments. Governments are investing in health care and educational facilities,
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municipal infrastructure and transportation. Public bodies and private companies are also investing in
recreational and cultural facilities (NLDOF 2013).
Fishing harbours are located throughout Zone 19, but the area has relatively limited seafood processing
(ASP 2013; DFA 2013; NRL nd). The St. John’s waterfront is a mixture of industrial marine activity as
well as tourism, with boat tours and cruise ships operating seasonally. Top tourism destinations in Zone
19 include St. John’s and George Street where the tourism season is fairly consistent throughout the
year (NL Tourism 2013).The St. John’s area has a strong market for tourism, particularly in meetings and
conventions and general business activity. Major capital investments in Zone 19 include eight new hotel
projects in the St. John’s area (NLDOF 2013).
Zone 20 includes the Southern Shore located south of St. John’s to Trepassey and to the east side of St.
Mary’s Bay. Many people from Southern Shore communities commute to the St. John’s area and
elsewhere on a daily basis. Within Zone 20, six seafood processors are located on the Southern Shore
and one is on St. Mary’s Bay (ASP 2013; DFA 2013). An offshore oil and gas service base is located in
Bay Bulls. Ferryland is a top tourism destination, and the area also provides whale watching boat tours
and sea kayaking adventures (NL Tourism 2013). No major capital projects are currently taking place in
Zone 20 (NLDOF 2013).
4.3.3.2 Employment and Business
Employment and unemployment rates in Eastern Newfoundland vary according to the economic base in
the given area (Table 4.107), with larger, regional centres typically having higher employment levels than
more rural areas. Economic Zone 19, which includes the capital city of St. John’s and the Northeast
Avalon, has the highest employment rate in Eastern Newfoundland. With a diversified economy, this area
has a variety of employment opportunities in government agencies, post-secondary educational
institutions, health care facilities, tourism, agriculture, the commercial / retail sector and an international
airport. In contrast, Economic Zone 18, which has the highest unemployment rate, is a rural region with a
larger seasonal workforce (e.g. fishing, seafood processing, tourism) (NLSA 2013).
Table 4.107
Employment Characteristics, Eastern Newfoundland
Economic Zone
Labour Force*
25,140
15,320
11,590
21,320
Participation
Rate
70.1%
69.3%
68.0%
67.9%
Employment
Rate
53.2%
52.4%
50.5%
54.0%
Unemployment
Rate
24.1%
24.3%
25.8%
20.5%
Zone 14: Gander-Fogo Island
Zone 15: Clarenville-Bonavista
Zone 16: Burin Peninsula
Zone 17: Conception Bay NorthBay de Verde
Zone 18: Whitbourne-St. Mary’s
Zone 19: Northeast Avalon
Zone 20: Southern ShoreTrepassey
Newfoundland and Labrador
3,860
115,290
4,900
67.8%
76.1%
73.4%
47.4%
68.4%
55.9%
29.9%
10.2%
23.8%
248,685
72%
58.7%
18.5%
*Labour force data is taken from 2010 statistics whereas other data used in this table are derived from the 2006 census.
Source: NLSA (2013)
The majority of the residents of Eastern Newfoundland are employed in occupations related to sales and
services. Larger retail businesses and government services in regional service centres also contribute to
occupations in this sector. Jobs associated with construction also account for a large share of
employment throughout Eastern Newfoundland (NLSA 2013) (Table 4.108).
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Table 4.108
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Labour Force by Occupation, Eastern Newfoundland (2006)
Occupation / Sector (Select)
Health
Education
Primary industries
Sales and Services
Management
Office related
Construction related
Processing and Manufacturing
All Occupations
Source: NLSA (2013)
Zone
14
Zone
15
Zone
16
Zone
17
Zone
18
Zone
19
Zone
20
Province
925
820
2,705
6,155
1,350
2,240
4,375
1,865
20,435
475
485
1,544
3,305
800
1,510
2,945
1,725
12,789
350
455
1,405
2,750
475
945
1,985
1,440
9,805
910
715
1,585
4,625
975
1,855
4,140
2,395
17,200
155
130
505
750
265
385
785
205
3,180
6,395
5,545
2,075
26,195
9,705
20,665
12,265
2,690
85,535
180
185
585
860
225
535
975
565
4,110
13,320
12,270
20,415
70,465
19,740
38,485
44,300
17,540
267,175
Income levels in Eastern Newfoundland are generally below the provincial average (Table 4.109), with
the exception of the Northeast Avalon (Economic Zone 19) where the economy provides a wider variety
of employment opportunities.
Table 4.109
Median Gross Annual Per Capita Income, Eastern Newfoundland (2010)
Economic Zone
Zone 14: Gander-Fogo Island
Zone 15: Clarenville-Bonavista
Zone 16: Burin Peninsula
Zone 17: Conception Bay North-Bay de Verde
Zone 18: Whitbourne-St. Mary’s
Zone 19: Northeast Avalon
Zone 20: Southern Shore-Trepassey
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Source: NLSA (2013)
Median Annual Per Capita Income
$25,000
$25,300
$26,000
$24,500
$26,800
$33,700
$27,900
$28,900
Eastern Newfoundland (Economic Zones 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20) has nearly 12,000 businesses
(Table 4.110) (NLSA 2013). Over half of these enterprises are located in Economic Zone 19, which
includes the Northeast Avalon.
Table 4.110
Number of Businesses by Economic Zone, Eastern Newfoundland (2011)
Economic Zone
Zone 14: Gander-Fogo Island
Zone 15: Clarenville-Bonavista
Zone 16: Burin Peninsula
Zone 17: Conception Bay North-Bay de
Verde
Zone 18: Whitbourne-St. Mary’s
Zone 19: Northeast Avalon
Zone 20: Southern Shore-Trepassey
Total
Source: NLSA (2013)
Number of Businesses
1,574
1,008
598
1,128
Percentage of Total
9.3%
5.9%
3.5%
6.7%
198
6,876
242
11,624
1.2%
40.6%
1.4%
68.6%
Over 60 percent of businesses in Eastern Newfoundland provide services (e.g. retail, health care and
social, construction, accommodations and food services and other services). Although the number of
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firms remained fairly consistent between 2000 and 2011, this is accounted for primarily by growth in the
“other services,” “construction,” “professional, scientific and technical services” categories (Table 4.111).
Otherwise, the number of enterprises in all categories has declined. Notable areas of decline are health
care and social assistance, manufacturing and retail (NLDOF 2013).
Table 4.111
Number of Businesses by Type, Eastern Newfoundland (2000 and 2011)
Industry Sector
2000
2011
Mining and oil and gas extraction
Utilities
Other services (except public
administration)
Real estate and rental leasing
Construction
Management of companies and
enterprises
Public administration
Finance and insurance
Administrative and support, waste
management and remediation services
Professional, scientific, technical services
Information and cultural industries
Educational services
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Wholesale trade
Transportation and warehousing
Health care and social assistance
Accommodation and food services
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing
Retail trade
Total
Source: NLSA (2013)
43
6
1,237
43
7
1,848
+/- Change (2000 to
2011)
+1
+611
345
1,320
105
426
1,581
104
+81
+261
-1
290
304
418
285
261
426
-5
-43
+8
703
119
159
261
652
550
1,600
872
359
566
1,847
10,519
868
93
109
217
503
421
1,296
826
280
336
1,649
11,579
+165
-26
-50
-44
-149
-129
-304
-46
-79
-230
-198
+1,060
Although the overall number of businesses has increased (Table 4.112), the number of employees per
business in the region has declined somewhat. This may indicate a degree of consolidation among firms,
or the closure of some businesses and growth of others. The number of businesses with between five
and 19 employees increased between 2000 and 2011, and there are few businesses with more than 500
employees in Eastern Newfoundland.
Table 4.112
Number of Businesses by Employment, Eastern Newfoundland
Employment Size Range
1 to 4 employees
5 to 19 employees
20 to 99 employees
100 to 499 employees
500 + employees
Source: NLSA (2013)
Number of Businesses
2000
2011
7,173
6,310
3,245
3,914
1,100
1,088
191
168
47
30
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4.3.3.3 Housing
The housing market is directly shaped and influenced by the economy and other associated factors such
as population change. The population of Newfoundland and Labrador has been growing slowly except in
large and mid-sized municipalities or areas that are otherwise regional service centres.
Due to the strength of the economy, which is mainly driven by energy, mining and other private sector
activity, home (single family houses, multiple units and row houses) construction and sales have seen
unprecedented and sustained growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. Recently, the number of new
housing starts, as well as prices, has decreased. However, this decline has been occurring much slower
than in the other Atlantic Provinces (CMHC 2013).
In the third quarter of 2013, new home starts in the St. John’s Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)
decreased by 23 percent compared to the same period in 2012. However, smaller centres such as
Corner Brook, Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor, reported a higher number of new starts than in the
same period in the previous year (CMHC 2013).
The number of homes sold in Newfoundland and Labrador during the third quarter of 2013 was also 23
percent below that of the same period in 2012. However, the price of houses sold in the province
increased by eight percent overall (CMHC 2013). Rising housing prices are also related to increases in
the costs of labour and materials as well as the number of large high-end homes and condominiums.
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
4.3.4
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Marine Fisheries
The following sections give an overview of marine fisheries and related activities within and around the
Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area, with a key focus on commercial fisheries, as well as describing
any relevant aquaculture and recreational fishing activity in or near the region. There are no known
Aboriginal fisheries that occur within the SEA Study Area itself.
4.3.4.1 Data Areas and Sources
Two regulatory jurisdictions related to marine fish and fisheries exist within the SEA Study Area. The
Government of Canada has jurisdiction over fish stocks and fishing activities within a 200 nautical mile
limit and for benthic invertebrates (such as crab) across the entire continental shelf. Beyond that 200 mile
limit, the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) manages groundfish activities and other
resources (such as corals, for example).
For administrative purposes, the Northwest Atlantic is divided into a series of NAFO Divisions,
Subdivisions and Unit Areas (Figures 4.115 and 4.116), which are generally used to regulate and
describe fishing activity throughout Eastern Canada. The SEA Study Area overlaps with a number of
NAFO Divisions and Unit Areas, and although it does not correspond directly with any particular such
zones, various combinations of these are used in this section to describe fishing activity in and around
the region. The NAFO Divisions and Unit Areas that encompass most of the SEA Study Area are:
a) NAFO Division 3k: Unit Areas 3Kc, 3Kf, 3Kg, 3Kk
b) NAFO Division 3L: Unit Areas 3Lc, 3Ld, 3Le, 3Lg, 3Lh, 3Li, 3Ls, 3Lr, 3Lt
c) NAFO Division 3M: Unit Areas 3Ma, 3Mb, 3Mc, 3Md, 3Mm
d) NAFO Division 3N: Unit Areas 3Na, 3Nb, 3Nc, 3Nd, 3Ne, 3Nf, 3Nn
Commercial fish landings (weight and landed value) information for each of these NAFO Unit Areas is
presented in the following sections for the period 2008 – 2012, and was provided by Fisheries and
Oceans Canada (DFO) Statistical Services in Ottawa, ON. The DFO datasets record domestic and
foreign fish harvests that are landed in Canada.
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Figure 4.115 NAFO Divisions and Subdivisions
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Figure 4.116 NAFO Unit Areas Within and Adjacent to the SEA Study Area
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Fish landings by weight are reported in the Tables that follow in their original units (kg), although the
text and associated graphs describe fish quantities in tonnes. The landed value is the value of the catch
“at the wharf”, generally the price paid to the harvesting sector. It does not include or reflect, for
instance, the “downstream” indirect or induced economic benefits of the fish harvest, during or after
processing or other value-added manufacturing of fish products.
Mapping (geospatial) information on the location and timing of fishing activity was also provided by
DFO Statistical Services in Ottawa, ON. In doing so, DFO has indicated that, in the interests of
protecting commercially sensitive and/or personal information on fish harvesters, it is no longer able to
provide specific locations (coordinates) for commercial fishing activity. Instead, DFO provides
aggregated data sets which give a general indication of fishing areas (by species, gear types, fleet and
other pre-determined categories and data classes) for defined geographic areas (in this case, for a
series of “cells” that are approximately 6 x 4 nautical miles in size that together comprise a map grid
that covers the area of interest).
The fishing activity maps that are included in these SEA sections generally indicate where and when
fishing activity was recorded (at one or more locations) within a pre-determined grid block, but do not
indicate the total amount or intensity of fishing effort or the amount of fish harvested (quantity / value)
from a particular location. As has traditionally been the case, the DFO mapping dataset is also not
comprehensive and typically accounts for a portion of total fishing activity in a region (in terms of total
weight and value), and does not include specific locational information for certain fisheries (particularly
for inshore fisheries undertaken by smaller vessels, such as those for lobster). Therefore, while useful
as a tool to measure the overall commercial fishing activity in the Atlantic region, it is not
comprehensive enough to measure all indicators associated with every type of activity for each specific
fishery.
The available information and associated mapping does, however, provide a general indication and
overview of the nature and spatial and temporal distribution of commercial fishing activity within the
region, at a level appropriate for SEA analysis and related planning. The various fisheries data sets
referenced above were supplemented with other existing and available information related to fisheries
in the area, including information received during the SEA consultation process (see Chapter 2 and
Appendix A).
4.3.4.2 Commercial Fisheries
The fishing industry is an important and long-standing component of the Newfoundland and Labrador
economy. In 2012, fish landings in the province totalled approximately 252,000 tonnes with a total
landed value of nearly $575 million and a total production value of approximately $1 billion. The
province’s fishing industry employed almost 20,000 persons in 2012, including 10,398 individuals
working in fish harvesting and another 9,214 working in processing activities in the province’s over 120
licenced fish plants (NLDFA 2013c).
The following sections provide an overview of past and current commercial fishing activity in the Study
Area (and particularly, for the NAFO Unit Areas described above). This begins with a brief overview of
past fisheries and the general evolution of fishing activity in the region in past decades. This is followed
by a description of the current commercial fishery, as reflected in the available fisheries data sets
covering the period 2008 – 2012, for which both annual and multi-year (cumulative) information is
provided in the text, tables and figures that follow. It should also be noted that reporting of fishing
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information by NAFO Unit Areas in the DFO datasets used herein indicates the area in which fish is
caught, rather than where it was landed.
Historical Overview
Early settlers along the eastern coast of Newfoundland came from Europe, primarily as participants in a
seasonal fishery that focussed on groundfish, particularly Atlantic cod. This fishery provided a salted
cod product to the global market by merchants who remained in home ports, most often in parts of
England. Early harvesters in the 19th and 20th centuries were mainly independent, operating from
small open boats based in their home communities. Fish processing consisted of families salting and
drying the catch. Many harvesters also took part in the sealing industry during spring months. As
settlement became more permanent for both harvesters and buyers, the merchants would outfit the
harvester for the season on “credit” and then receive the catch as “payment” (MUN 1998).
The fishery remained the largest (and often, only) employer in coastal communities along the east
coast of Newfoundland during the 20th century. After Confederation with Canada in 1949, markets for
salt cod declined, while the global demand for frozen fish products increased. Long liners, freezer
plants and trawlers all began to increase in numbers. Fish harvesting off Newfoundland and Labrador
expanded into a global, industrialized industry involving both Canadian and foreign fleets. Canada
declared a 200 mile limit in 1977 and took exclusive control over its coastal waters, including its fish
stocks (MUN 1998), with an associated rapid expansion in the number of harvesters and allocations
occurring during that time.
The cod fishery was halted in 1992 by a moratorium on the east coast of Canada as fish stocks had
reached dangerously low levels. Landings of cod dropped from $134 million in 1990 to $50 million in
1992 (DFO 2013f). Although this moratorium was first thought to be short term in nature, another
moratorium in 2003 was placed on the last remaining cod fishery after it was discovered cod stocks had
not improved (DFO 2012c). This moratorium is still in place, although cod stocks have reportedly seen
some improvement in certain locations, and small scale fisheries do take place in some areas.
Notwithstanding the decline of traditional groundfish harvests and their dominant position in the
province’s fishing industry, the overall landed value of seafood products in Newfoundland and Labrador
has, however, remained steady (and in fact, have actually increased) since the closures. Other species
have since become the focus of harvesting activity, with snow crab and Northern shrimp having
become the two most important species since the closure of the cod fishery (DFO 2013f) (see later
Figures 4.119 and 4.120).
The first commercial snow crab landings in Newfoundland occurred during the late 1960s but the
fishery gained an increased and significant economic importance after the collapse of the cod fishery.
The landed value of snow crab in Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, increased from almost $13
million in 1992 to nearly $180 million in 2008. Many harvesters who now hold full time licenses for snow
crab were issued the permits initially on a temporary basis in 1995. These temporary licenses were
issued in response to the collapse of groundfish stocks (DFO 2010e).
Northern shrimp have been harvested beyond the 200 mile limit of Newfoundland and Labrador’s
shores since the 1970s by factory freezer trawlers, but a further reliance on the stock has occurred
since the cod moratorium with allocations almost doubling from 85,000 tonnes in 1998 to 160,000
tonnes in 2007 (Street 2011). Experimental licenses were issued in the mid- to late-1990s with
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permanent licenses issued in 2007 to an inshore fleet. This fleet operates mainly in NAFO areas
2J3KL, of which 3KL are in, or adjacent to, the SEA Study Area. The landed value of the product has
increased from $230 million in 1997 to $350 million in 2005 (DFO 2010d).
Commercial Fish Harvests (Quantities and Values)
The 2012 commercial fish harvest within the SEA Study Area (namely, the combined NAFO Unit Areas
referenced above) totalled approximately 51,000 tonnes and had a landed value of over $163 million.
Fish landings in that area over the past five year (2008 to 2012) period were at their lowest quantities in
2009, peaked at nearly 100,000 tonnes in 2008, and totalled approximately 363,000 tonnes over the
entire period from 2008 to 2012. The landed value of fish harvested in the region during that time period
ranged from approximately $116.1 million (in 2009) to over $205 million (in 2011) and totalled about
$815.6 million over the 2008 – 2012 period.
Northern shrimp itself comprised approximately 54 percent of the total fish landings by weight in this
region from 2008 – 2012, followed by queen / snow crab (32 percent) and turbot (five percent), with no
other species accounting for greater than five percent of total landings by weight. In terms of landed
value, queen / snow crab accounted for over half of the area’s fishery from 2008 to 2012 overall,
followed by Northern shrimp (36 percent), turbot (seven percent), and others.
Table 4.113
Fish Harvests by Weight and Value (1990 – 2012)
Year
Weight (kg)
Value ($)
1990
127,493,363
75,906,611
1991
113,302,434
68,015,776
1992
46,563,824
30,560,162
1993
39,786,580
46,136,345
1994
30,721,265
55,187,553
1995
36,508,595
99,778,684
1996
38,441,585
73,065,803
1997
41,095,480
66,387,779
1998
39,880,396
70,231,064
1999
56,629,512
142,812,731
2000
70,370,621
177,776,707
2001
64,194,156
136,067,441
2002
66,834,431
136,231,102
2003
89,553,237
193,642,522
2004
110,809,985
235,178,205
2005
104,651,280
173,525,386
2006
105,843,597
147,242,321
2007
94,685,888
173,341,470
2008
98,310,800
179,969,595
2009
63,068,504
116,094,428
2010
83,115,185
151,339,846
2011
67,802,241
205,068,262
2012
51,028,931
163,132,892
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Figure 4.117 Fish Harvests by Year by Weight (1990 – 2012)
140000
120000
Weight (Tonnes)
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
0
Figure 4.118 Fish Harvests by Year by Value (1990 – 2012)
250,000,000
200,000,000
Value ($)
150,000,000
100,000,000
50,000,000
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
-
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Figure 4.119 Fish Harvests by Weight by Species (2008 – 2012 Total)
1% 1%
1%
5%
1%
1%
Northern Shrimp
4%
Queen-Snow Crab
Turbot-Greenland Flounder
54%
32%
Groundfish, Unspecified
Yellowtail Flounder
Redfish
Molluscs, Unspecified
American Plaice
Other Species
Table 4.114
Fish Harvests by Weight (kg) (2008 – 2012)
Species
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Total
American Plaice
61,1813
816,125
877,378
383,018
211,322
2,899,656
# Seal Pelts
(All Years)
-
Atlantic Halibut
32,886
92,450
124,316
60,167
144,303
454,122
-
Capelin
22,514
17,229
165,042
204,785
-
Cod
124,600
41,033
23,213
518,378
-
639
-
Crustaceans,
Unspecified
Greysole-Witch
Flounder
Groundfish Heads
Groundfish,
Unspecified
Haddock
Molluscs,
Unspecified
Other Products,
Unspecified
Northern Shrimp
89,248
240,284
639
15,029
7,961,214
43,985
3,456,994
473
127,779
107,631
27,993
322,417
-
611,450
357,196
968,646
-
5,693
3,020,192
1,376,621
15,820,714
-
22,260
33,618
56,351
-
3,131,541
-
896,285
-
10,181
1,134,365
974,480
995,608
42,473
427,514
423,539
2,759
64,592,674
32,311,726
48,232,625
30,922,148
19,659,435
195,718,608
-
34,089
126,052
103,263
36,594
299,998
-
22,811,032
20,563,750
22,622,955
25,004,838
24,923,067
115,925,642
-
Redfish
13,003
32,681
170,911
2,016,792
983,739
3,217,126
-
Roughhead
Grenadier
Seal Fat
2,687
11,616
34,959
111,644
24,073
184,979
-
59,980
59,980
-
Skate
13,050
Pelagics, Unspecified
Queen-Snow Crab
51,031
4,860
2,045
16,907
1,769
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Species
Turbot-Greenland
Flounder
White Hake
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2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Total
1,997,191
4,029,762
3,568,294
4,186,784
3,048,710
16,830,741
# Seal Pelts
(All Years)
-
3,515
12,560
16,075
-
5,697,276
-
28,947
-
Yellowtail Flounder
5,697,276
Seal Products,
Unspecified
Beater Harp Seal
Skins (#)
Bedlamer Harp Seal
Skins (#)
Ragged Jacket Harp
Seal Skins (#)
Seal Flippers (#)
28,947
58,587
216
38
18,194
Seals, Unspecified
Seal Products,
Unspecified
Total
10,957
2756
98,310,800
63,068,504
83,115,185
67,802,241
51,028,931
363,325,661
90,748
Figure 4.120 Fish Harvests by Value by Species (2008 – 2012 Total)
1%
7%
3%
Queen-Snow Crab
Northern Shrimp
53%
36%
Turbot-Greenland Flounder
Groundfish, Unspecified
Other Species
Table 4.115
Species
Fish Harvests by Value ($) (2008 – 2012)
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Total
American Plaice
386,940
27,619
641,839
260,514
114,600
1,931,511
Atlantic Halibut
206,258
655,496
905,734
542,883
1,300,935
3,611,305
5,753
2,659
35,294
43,706
188,719
44,651
25,937
630,342
Capelin
Cod
Crustaceans,
92,410
278,626
508
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2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Total
12,135
38,089
90,879
94,512
27,373
262,988
2,157,781
1,362,342
3,520,123
5,323
1,902,234
720,817
9,700,187
17,536
32,752
Unspecified
Greysole-Witch
Flounder
Groundfish Heads
Groundfish,
Unspecified
Haddock
4,991,762
2,080,051
454
50,741
Molluscs, Unspecified
14,175
1,590,231
1,259,619
1,286,879
Other Products,
Unspecified
Northern Shrimp
113,791
1,671,014
1,425,664
11,013
91,489,040
35,568,286
64,070,026
60,162,423
39,399,719
290,689,495
64,380
52,105
129,689
55,207
301,382
77,520,093
63,425,039
67,611,402
118,521,316
107,144,938
434,222,788
Redfish
7,167
23,979
112,613
972,222
780,740
1,896,721
Roughhead
Grenadier
Seal Fat
1,248
7,646
22,321
34,989
8,422
74,626
23,697
Skate
5,031
12,786
1,165
505
708
20,195
3,127,475
10,313,022
11,918,229
18,679,924
11,958,817
55,997,466
3,790
7,012
10,801
3,105,969
3,105,969
Pelagics, Unspecified
Queen-Snow Crab
Turbot-Greenland
Flounder
White Hake
Seals, Unspecified
Total
4,177,803
3,221,481
23,697
Yellowtail Flounder
Seal Products,
Unspecified
Beater Harp Seal
Skins (#)
Bedlamer Harp Seal
Skins (#)
Ragged Jacket Harp
Seal Skins (#)
Seal Flippers (#)
26,899
17,332
17,332
1,859,000
1,859,000
1,208
1,208
397
397
15,242
15,242
10
65,184
179,969,595
116,094,428
151,339,846
205,068,262
152,812
218,005
163,132,892
815,605,022
Commercial Fish Harvests (Overall Geographic Distribution: 2008-2012)
The following Figures provide a general indication of the overall geographic distribution of commercial
fishing activity within and adjacent to the SEA Study Area, initially for the year 2012 and then from 2008
to 2012 overall, for all species.
As indicated above, the information provided in these maps is based on the geospatial data received
from DFO, and shows the general presence of recorded fishing activity for a series of 6 x 4 nautical
mile “cells” that together comprise a map grid that covers the region. For the multi-year fishing maps,
where fishing activity occurred within a single cell in two or more years, the Figure indicates only the
most recent year in which fishing activity occurred within that cell. Individual maps showing overall
fishing activity for each year from 2008 – 2011 are provided in Appendix C.
Further information on commercial fishing activity by month / season, gear type, fleet, species and other
parameters is also provided.
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Figure 4.121 Commercial Fishing Locations: 2012
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Figure 4.122 Commercial Fishing Locations: 2008-2012
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Commercial Fishing - Seasonality
The timing of fishing activity varies by location and species, and is often dictated by such factors as
weather and ice conditions, the availability of a resource in an area at a particular time, fisheries
licencing and other regulatory and management considerations, as well as individual fishers’ harvesting
plans and preferences.
Fishing activity in the NAFO Unit Areas that correspond generally to the SEA Study Area (as listed
above) during the 2008 to 2012 period occurred throughout the year, with the highest landings by
weight occurring in the summer (May - August) period, which also accounted for approximately 75
percent of the total value of fish harvested.
Table 4.116
Monthly Fish Harvests by Weight and Value (2008 – 2012 Inclusive)
Month
Weight (kg)
Value ($)
January
2,779,272
8,493,458
February
7,255,120
13,498,566
March
10,148,630
22,167,273
April
25,271,716
85,212,862
May
61,112,110
197,352,484
June
68,942,774
190,374,642
July
70,641,333
140,516,790
August
60,381,721
80,368,615
September
23,634,006
27,713,386
October
15,994,045
22,089,894
November
10,325,655
15,785,552
December
6,839,279
12,031,500
Total (All Months)
363,325,661
815,605,022
The Figures (maps) that follow also show the seasonal distribution (by quarter) of recorded fishing
activity for 2012 and the period 2008 – 2012 overall. Monthly maps (for 2012 and the 2008-2012
period) are included in Appendix D.
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Figure 4.123 Monthly Fish Harvests by Weight (2008 – 2012)
80000
70000
Weight (Tonnes)
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
N
D
Figure 4.124 Monthly Fish Harvests by Value (2008 – 2012)
250,000,000
200,000,000
Value ($)
150,000,000
100,000,000
50,000,000
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
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Figure 4.125 Commercial Fishing Locations: January – March 2012
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Figure 4.126 Commercial Fishing Locations: April - June 2012
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Figure 4.127 Commercial Fishing Locations: July - September 2012
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Figure 4.128 Commercial Fishing Locations: October – December 2012
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Figure 4.129 Commercial Fishing Locations: January – March 2008-2012
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Figure 4.130 Commercial Fishing Locations: April - June 2008-2012
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Figure 4.131 Commercial Fishing Locations: July - September 2008-2012
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Figure 4.132 Commercial Fishing Locations: October – December 2008-2012
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Commercial Fishing – Gear Types
Various types of fishing gear are used to harvest fish and shellfish off Eastern Newfoundland and
elsewhere in Atlantic Canada. Indeed, the available DFO data reflect that a range of fishing gear types
were used as part of the commercial fishery within the SEA Study Area from 2008 to 2012. Of these,
shrimp trawls accounted for approximately 54 percent of the total fish landings over that period by
weight, followed by pots (32 percent), bottom otter trawls (10 percent) and others.
In terms of fishing gear types by landed value, pots used in the shellfish (especially crab) fisheries
accounted for over half of the total value of the fishery in that area over that time period, followed by
shrimp trawls (36 percent), bottom otter trawls (six percent), gillnets (four percent) and others.
Figure 4.133 Fish Harvests (Weight) by Gear Type (2008 – 2012 Total)
3% 1%
10%
Shrimp Trawl
Pot (Unspecified)
54%
32%
Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern)
Gillnet (set of fixed)
Other and Unspecified
Table 4.117
Fish Harvests by Gear Type by Weight (kg) (2008 – 2012)
Gear Type
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Total
Bottom Otter Trawl
(Stern)
Shrimp Trawl
8,775,863
6,011,847
8,521,335
7,957,652
3,889,682
35,156,379
64,592,674
32,311,726
48,232,625
30,922,148
19,659,435
195,718,608
Gillnet (set of fixed)
1,986,200
2,796,484
2,491,419
2,758,098
2,159,667
12,191,868
162,470
144,075
20,564,389
22,622,978
Longline
306,545
Pot (Unspecified)
22,811,032
25,004,838
24,929,293
115,932,530
Hunting
59,980
Unspecified Gear
85,051
1,221,588
1,102,753
1,159,505
390,854
3,959,751
Total
98,310,800
63,068,504
83,115,185
67,802,241
51,028,931
363,325,661
59,980
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Figure 4.134 Fish Harvests (Value) by Gear Type (2008 – 2012 Total)
1%
6%
4%
Pot (Unspecified)
Shrimp Trawl
53%
36%
Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern)
Gillnet (set of fixed)
Unspecified and Other Gear
Table 4.118
Fish Harvests by Gear Type by Value ($) (2008 – 2012)
Gear Type
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Total
Bottom Otter
Trawl (Stern)
Shrimp Trawl
5,729,342
10,000,987
12,259,566
14,853,039
8,121,119
50,964,053
91,489,040
35,568,286
64,070,026
60,162,423
39,399,719
290,689,495
Gillnet (set of
fixed)
Longline
3,094,770
4,512,432
5,188,692
9,643,368
6,924,270
29,363,531
714,027
890,746
Pot (Unspecified)
77,520,093
63,425,547
67,611,425
Hunting
1,899,555
Unspecified Gear
236,796
1,873,150
1,319,391
1,888,115
1,533,985
6,851,436
Total
179,969,595
116,094,428
151,339,846
205,068,262
163,132,892
815,605,022
1,604,773
118,521,316
107,153,799
434,232,179
1,899,555
The following Figures illustrate the general distribution of 2012 commercial fishing activity within and
adjacent to the SEA Study Area by gear type. Maps illustrating commercial fishing activity by vessel
size (length class) are provided in Appendix E.
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Figure 4.135 Commercial Fishing Locations by Gear Type (2012)
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Commercial Fishing Locations by Gear Type (2012) - Continued
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Figure 4.136 Commercial Fishing – Fixed Gear Types (2008 - 2012)
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Figure 4.137 Commercial Fishing – Mobile Gear Types (2008 - 2012)
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Principal Species Fisheries
A summary of several key fisheries in the region is provided below, focussing upon those species that
have comprised a significant proportion of recent activity (in terms of landed weight and/or value), as
derived from the fisheries statistics provided by DFO.
Table 4.119
Overview of Key Fisheries
Queen-Snow Crab
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
Northern Shrimp
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
Turbot-Greenland Flounder
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
Groundfish, Unspecified
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
Molluscs, Unspecified
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
Groundfish Heads
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
Yellowtail Flounder
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
American Plaice
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
Redfish
2012 Harvest
2008-2012 Total Harvest
Key Fishing Months / Season
Main Gear Type(s)
24,923 tonnes, $107.1 million
115,926 tonnes, $434.2 million
April-June
Crab Pot
19,659 tonnes, $39.4 million
195,719 tonnes, $290.7 million
May-August
Shrimp Trawl
3,049 tonnes, $12.0 million
16,831 tonnes, $56.0 million
June-August
Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern); Gillnet
1,377 tonnes, $0.7 million
15,821 tonnes, $9.7 million
Variable
Variable
17 tonnes, $0.03 million
3,132 tonnes, $4.2 million
Variable
Variable
357 tonnes, $1.4 million
969 tonnes, $3.5 million
December
Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern)
0 tonnes, $0
5,697 tonnes, $3.1 million
June
Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern)
211 tonnes, $0.1 million
2,900 tonnes, $1.9 million
June, November - December
Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern); Gillnet
984 tonnes, $0.8 million
3,217 tonnes, $1.9 million
June - August
Bottom Otter Trawl (Stern); Gillnet
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Figures 4.138 to 4.144 illustrate the distribution of recorded commercial fishing activity for each of the
above species (where available) within and adjacent to the SEA Study Area by season for 2012. Similar
information for these and other select species (based on fishing presence and data availability) for all of
the years from 2008 - 2012 combined is provided in the maps included as Appendix F.
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Figure 4.138 Fishing Locations by Season – Queen-Snow Crab (2012)
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Figure 4.139 Fishing Locations by Season – Northern Shrimp (2012)
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Figure 4.140 Fishing Locations by Season – Turbot-Greenland Halibut (2012)
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Figure 4.141 Fishing Locations by Season – Groundfish Heads (2012)
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Figure 4.142 Fishing Locations by Season – Yellowtail Flounder (2012)
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Figure 4.143 Fishing Locations by Season – American Plaice (2012)
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Figure 4.144 Fishing Locations by Season – Redfish (2012)
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Fishing Activity by Foreign Countries
There are multiple regulatory jurisdictions that pertain to marine fish and fisheries within the SEA Study
Area. The Government of Canada has jurisdiction over fish stocks and fishing activities within the 200
nautical mile limit and for benthic invertebrates (such as crab) across the entire continental shelf, with
NAFO managing groundfish activities and other resources beyond that 200 mile limit (NAFO 2013a).
NAFO current manages 19 commercial stocks consisting of 11 species, and reports that in 2011 there
were vessels from 13 flag states fishing in the Northwest Atlantic (NAFO 2013b).
The preceding analysis has described recent commercial fishing activity within the various NAFO Unit
Areas that occur completely or partially within the SEA Study Area. This analysis has been based on
commercial fish landings (weight and landed value) and location information for the period 2008 –
2012, which was provided by DFO Statistical Services in Ottawa, ON. As indicated, the DFO datasets
record domestic and foreign fish harvests that are landed in Canada only.
Given its location in the Northwest Atlantic and the variety and abundance of marine fish species that
occur throughout the region, the waters off Eastern Newfoundland have long been subject to
commercial fishing activity by the fleets of a number of countries. Although the specific participants in,
and nature of (species, locations, timing, gear) such international fishing activity has inevitably evolved
and changed over time, there continues to be considerable non-Canadian fishing activity that occurs
within and near the SEA Study Area. Much of this fishing activity is, for the reasons outlined above, not
likely to be reflected in the available DFO fisheries databases as presented in the preceding sections.
Other, detailed information on the nature and scope of foreign fishing in the NAFO managed areas
beyond the 200 mile limit, is, however, not readily available for use in the SEA, particularly at the level
of detail and in the same formats as that obtained from DFO for fish landed in Canadian ports.
A general indication of this non-Canadian fishing activity for recent years can be obtained through data
available under the FishStatJ program, which were identified and provided by DFO as the most detailed
and accurate database available on international fishing activity in this region, as well as through
NAFO’s STATLANT21A database which provides fishing information NAFO Division. The most recent
information provided by these databases are from 2012, including fish harvest data by country (flag
state), species, year and general fishing area. Data are available for the overall NAFO Divisions, of
which 3KLMN overlap with (but extend beyond) the SEA Study Area. Table 4.120 provides a summary
of international fishing activity in these NAFO Divisions in recent years.
Table 4.120
International Fishing Activity by NAFO Division (tonnes) (2008 – 2012)
NAFO Division
2008
3K
0
3L
14,606
3M
25,554
3N
10,318
Total
50,478
Source: NAFO (2013c)
2009
1
14,822
18,132
6,996
39,951
2010
1
9,442
20,514
12,424
42,381
2011
208
12,949
24,732
11,467
49,356
2012
0
11,902
26,583
12,753
51,238
Total
210
63,721
115,515
53,958
233,404
Table 4.121 summarizes the four most commonly harvested species by country in the Northwest
Atlantic over the period of 2008 – 2012. Although other fish species are harvested in relatively small
quantities, Northern shrimp, Greenland halibut, Atlantic cod and Atlantic redfish are the four species
that have been harvested in the greatest volume, by the greatest number of international fleets in the
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Northwest Atlantic in recent years. Other commercially important species harvested by international
fleets include queen / snow crab, a number of species of tuna, shark, flounders, rays and seals.
Northern Shrimp: International harvests of Northern shrimp in NAFO Divisions 3KLMN were on a
steady decline between 2008 and 2012, decreasing by almost 17,000 tonnes over this period.
Harvesters from the Faroe Islands and Estonia have remained the most frequent harvesters of shrimp
in these areas. The majority of international harvesting for Northern shrimp occurs in Divisions 3L and
3M, with shrimp from NAFO 3K harvested primarily by fleets from Newfoundland and Labrador and
Quebec. Small harvests were taken from 2K by Denmark in 2008-2009 (NAFO 2013c).
Greenland Halibut: Harvests of Greenland halibut in the area remained somewhat steady from 2008 –
2012. Spain, Russia and Portugal continue to be the most frequent harvesters of this species in NAFO
areas 3LMN, whereas in 3K this species is harvested solely by fleets from Atlantic Canada (NAFO
2013c).
Atlantic Cod: There has been a considerable increase in the harvest of Atlantic cod in NAFO 3KLMN
from 2008 – 2011, with a recent small drop in 2012. Portugal, the Faroe Islands and Spain are the most
frequent harvesters of Atlantic cod in the area, whereas in 3K this species is generally harvested by
fleets from Atlantic Canada (NAFO 2013c).
Atlantic Redfish: Redfish continue to be a relatively heavily fished species by international fleets in the
region. Catches have increased since 2008, and remained relatively steady in recent years. Portugal
and Russia are key fishers of Atlantic redfish in the area, with stocks in NAFO 3K again being
harvested primarily if not exclusively by domestic, Atlantic Canadian fleets (NAFO 2013c).
Table 4.121
Fish Harvests for Select Species in NAFO Divisions 3KLMN by Country
(tonnes, 2008-2012)
Country
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
488
532
536
208
Estonia
11,269
1,607
1,209
1,248
919
Faroe Islands
3,462
2,949
2,503
1,446
1,037
Northern Shrimp
Denmark
Germany
301
Iceland
Latvia
1,562
Lithuania
763
Norway
606
Portugal
184
126
330
384
325
664
320
329
15
Russia
299
335
28
Spain
654
272
347
St. Pierre and
Miquelon (France)
278
334
334
United States
Total
134
5
292
34
3,946
2,129
334
19,381
7,352
6,194
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2008
Strategic Environmental Assessment
2009
2010
2011
2012
54
3
Greenland Halibut
Cuba
Estonia
299
299
441
278
265
Faroe Islands
215
206
211
221
147
Japan
1,219
Latvia
Lithuania
14
6
25
Norway
39
206
2
Portugal
1,964
1,806
2,250
2,491
1,969
Russia
1,543
1,615
1,514
1,626
1,543
Spain
4,592
4,505
4,550
4,667
4,667
199
192
116
243
198
10,037
8,623
9,109
9,633
8,998
200
209
St. Pierre and
Miquelon (France)
Total
Atlantic Cod
Cuba
Estonia
69
Faroe Islands
Japan
122
91
98
56
25
1,185
2,238
2,049
24
Latvia
Lithuania
3
3
Norway
63
47
59
514
1,301
809
Portugal
300
925
1,426
2,642
2,867
Russia
88
94
403
764
815
Spain
235
325
1,388
2,058
1,917
St. Pierre and
Miquelon (France)
19
11
204
154
761
1,063
868
5,842
10,615
9,806
1,169
734
United Kingdom
Total
738
1,491
Atlantic Redfish
Cuba
Estonia
962
1,648
1,237
953
187
Faroe Islands
215
1
141
425
179
Japan
632
Latvia
58
Lithuania
Portugal
3,918
5,089
71
377
759
463
6,688
5,977
5,300
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Country
2008
Russia
1,233
Spain
1,277
St. Pierre and
Miquelon (France)
Strategic Environmental Assessment
2009
925
1,011
7,721
2012
3,299
379
821
76
38
1
2
5
11,109
9,811
11,026
17
8,254
2011
1,654
United Kingdom
Total
2010
Source: NAFO (2013c)
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Sealing
The seal harvest has been and remains an important source of income for commercial fishers in
Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere, contributing as much as 25 to 35 percent of fishers’
annual incomes in many communities (NLDFA 2013a). Since its inception in the early 1800s as a
source of oil, the hunt subsequently evolved into a diverse product industry. Six species of seals (harp,
hooded, grey, ringed, bearded and harbour) are commonly found along the coasts of Atlantic Canada.
Harp, grey and hooded seals are harvested to produce leather, handicrafts, oil and meat for human and
animal consumption (DFO 2011c).
The total value of seal landings in Canada has decreased since 2006, when it was valued at more than
$34 million and sealers received more than $100 per pelt. The industry has experienced significant
declines in both the quantity of and prices for harvested pelts, the latter being driven by changing global
demand for seal products (DFO 2011c).The value of the harvest remained considerably low in 2010
($1.3 million) with pelt prices of approximately $20. Due to concerted marketing efforts and new market
development, there was a modest increase in pelt prices ($32.50 / pelt) in 2013 (D. Dakins, pers comm.
2013).
The Canadian seal harvest is managed by DFO, under Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations. An
Integrated Management Plan is updated annually with input from DFO’s Science Branch. Provincial
Fisheries Departments and seal harvesters’ organizations. The seal quota is allocated to provinciallybased fleets in accordance with historical landings. DFO issues an average of 16,000 seal harvester
licenses annually in Atlantic Canada and 12,500 licensed harvesters reside in Newfoundland and
Labrador. It is estimated that only 390 hunters participated in the 2010 Atlantic Canadian hunt, due
primarily to weak markets and poor ice conditions. Many harvesters continue to renew their licenses in
anticipation of improved markets and a desire to remain active in the seal hunt (DFO 2011c).
In Atlantic Canada, harp seals are concentrated primarily off Southern Labrador, the Gulf of St.
Lawrence area and off Northern Newfoundland. Grey seals are found mostly off Northern Labrador and
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy. Hooded seals are located off the coast of
Northeast Newfoundland, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in the Davis Strait area (DFO 2011c).
Harp seals are the principal focus for the commercial Newfoundland and Labrador harvest.
Approximately 70 percent of the Canadian seal harvest occurs in an area known as “the Front” which
receives an allocation of over 65 percent of Canada’s total harp seal quota. Since 2005, there has been
significant growth in overall seal populations at the Front. The harp seal population has nearly tripled in
size – from less than two million animals in the 1970s to a current estimate of more than seven million
(DFO 2011c).
The Eastern Newfoundland harvest commences at The Front around the second week of April. The
Front quota includes hunting in four Sealing Zones: 5, 6, 7 and 8, which are all adjacent to the Eastern
Newfoundland coastline and located partially in the SEA Study Area (Figure 4.145). Eastern
Newfoundland is home to historically important seal landing ports. However, there has been relatively
little activity in recent years for the reasons outlined above.
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Figure 4.145 Eastern Newfoundland Seal Harvesting Zones
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4.3.4.3 Aquaculture
Aquaculture has become an increasingly important component of Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishing
industry and economy. Seafood production from this sector has increased steadily in recent years, from
fewer than 1,000 tonnes and less than $8 million in value in 1995 to more than 17,000 tonnes and a
value of more than $120 million in 2011. The primary fish species farmed in Newfoundland and
Labrador are blue mussels, Atlantic salmon and steelhead trout (NLDFA 2013b). At present,
aquaculture sites are located primarily around Bay D’Espoir, the Connaigre Peninsula and Notre Dame
Bay. Smaller numbers of sites are located near St. Anthony and in Placentia Bay, Trinity Bay and
Bonavista Bay.
There are various existing aquaculture sites in Eastern Newfoundland (and specifically, within
Economic Zones 14 to 20) (Table 4.122, Figure 4.146). These include blue mussel farms in Burnt Arm
North, St. Croix Bay, Crawley’s Island, Cap Cove, Little Indian Cove, Northwest Arm, Big Island, Coal
All Island and Merasheen Island. There are also Atlantic cod hatcheries at Ship Cove, Princeton,
Jerseyman Island, Bay Bulls, Square Cliff and Aspen Cove. A rainbow trout hatchery is located on the
Holyrood Access Road (T. Budgell, pers comm 2013).
Table 4.122
Eastern Newfoundland Aquaculture Operations
Operator
International Enterprises Ltd.
Joseph Keating (Baie Sea Farms
Ltd.)
Joseph Keating (Baie Sea Farms
Ltd.)
Nfld. Game Fish Protection Society
Ltd.
Claude Seaward
Robert Power
Merasheen Mussel Farms Inc.
Shells and Fins Incorporated
Gerald Prince
Merasheen Mussel Farms Inc.
Notre Dame Bay Mussel Farms Inc.
Shells and Fins Incorporated
Bernard Norman
Sapphire Sea Farms Ltd.
Claude Seaward
Paul, Wilson and Everett Watton
Cross Bay Mussel Farms Ltd.
Atlantic Pacific Trading Inc.
Source: T. Budgell, pers comm. (2013)
Location
Burnt Arm North, Goshen’s
Arm
St. Croix Bay
Description
Blue mussel farming facility
Crawley’s Island
Blue mussel farming facility
Murray’s Pond
Rainbow trout hatchery
Ship Cove, Heart’s Ease
Inlet, TB
Holyrood Access Road
Merasheen Island
Cap Cove, Lockston
Princeton, Bonavista Bay
Big South West Cove,
Merasheen Island
Little Indian Cove
Northwest Arm, Trinity Bay
Jerseyman Island,
Placentia Bay
Bay Bulls
Square Cliff,
Heart’s Ease Inlet
Aspen Cove
Big Island, Notre Dame Bay
Coal All Island
Atlantic cod grow-out facility
Blue mussel farming facility
Rainbow trout hatchery
Blue mussel and oyster farming facility
Blue mussel farming facility
Atlantic cod grow-out facility
Blue mussel farming facility
Blue mussel farming facility
Blue mussel farming facility
Atlantic cod grow-out facility
Atlantic cod grow-out facility
Atlantic cod grow-out facility
Atlantic cod grow-out facility
Blue mussel farming facility
Blue mussel farming facility
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Figure 4.146 Eastern Newfoundland Aquaculture Sites
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4.3.4.4 Recreational Fisheries
In Newfoundland and Labrador, recreational fishing may take place in coastal and inland waters. For
specified periods during the summer and fall, residents and non-residents are permitted to participate
(with licences or tags not being required) in a recreational / food fishery for groundfish. The sale of
catch from the recreational fishery is not permitted and commercial fishing operations are not allowed to
participate (DFO 2013g).
Table 4.123 Eastern Newfoundland Recreational Groundfish Fishery (2013)
Species
Groundfish (with
some fish prohibited)
Season(s)
 July 20August 11
 September
21-29
Individual Retention Limit
5 groundfish (including cod)
per fisher per day
Boat Retention Limit
15 groundfish when 3 or more
persons are fishing in one boat
(including tour boats)
Source: DFO (2013h)
Smelt angling in coastal waters is permitted throughout the year, and there is no bag limit or possession
limit for this species. Angling in coastal waters for salmon and trout is also permitted according to
applicable regulations and guidelines (DFO 2013h).
Newfoundland and Labrador has 186 scheduled salmon rivers. These rivers are subject to specific
angling (fly fishing) regulations and requirements, which vary depending on the river, with special
management measures applied to some rivers or sections of rivers. The 2013 angling season for
scheduled salmon rivers in Eastern Newfoundland was from June 1 to September 7. Fall angling
occurred on the Gander River from September 8 to October 7. More than 55 scheduled salmon rivers
are located in Eastern Newfoundland within Economic Zones 14 to 20, an area that extends from the
Lewisporte area to the west side of Placentia Bay (DFO 2013h).
4.3.5
Other Human Activities
A number of other human activities and components occur within or near the marine environment, and
therefore have the potential to interact with, and be affected by, future offshore oil and gas activities in
the SEA Study Area. This overview focuses primarily upon the area of the Eastern Newfoundland
coastline nearest to the SEA Study Area, generally corresponding with Economic Zones 14 to 20 as
described in Section 4.3.1.
Data and information were obtained from Canadian government departments and agencies such as
Statistics Canada, Transport Canada, DFO / Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of National
Defence (DND) and Canadian Forces. Provincial government sources include the Departments of
Transportation and Works, Environment and Conservation, Tourism, Culture and Recreation and
Finance. In addition, information was obtained from the websites of various other agencies and groups
including the St. John’s Port Authority, Marine Atlantic, Greg’s Cables, Cruise NL, Propel Research,
Imperial Oil, Irving Oil, MI Swaco, A. Harvey and Company Ltd., North Atlantic Refining Ltd and
Oceanex, as referenced below.
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4.3.5.1 Marine Shipping and Transportation
Marine shipping and transportation have played an important role in the location and activities of
coastal communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Traditionally, small to medium sized
vessels transported goods and people to and from coastal communities. Currently, the road system is
the primary mode of transportation, and marine shipping is limited mainly to sea ports with the required
infrastructure and services for larger vessels. Ferries move people and goods between Newfoundland
and Nova Scotia and to islands and other communities that are not connected by road.
Harbours are regulated under federal jurisdiction of Canada’s Navigable Waters Protection Act and
Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act. DFO, through Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Marine
Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS), provides communications and traffic management
services in certain Canadian ports.
The Eastern Newfoundland region has 17 shipping ports, of which St. John’s has the most diverse
shipping activity and industrial infrastructure (Figure 4.147). Nine of these ports (Argentia, Bay Roberts,
Come By Chance, Holyrood, Lewisporte, Long Pond, Marystown, St. John’s and Newfoundland
Offshore (St. John’s) have both domestic and international shipping activity, four (Fortune, Harbour
Grace, Long Harbour and Bay Bulls) are used for international shipping, and four (Arnold’s Cove,
Carmanville, Catalina, Clarenville) have domestic shipping only. Smaller harbours are maintained
primarily for fishing and recreational activities.
Come By Chance and Fortune are also key international shipping ports in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Fortune is the Newfoundland port of entry / exit for the nearby French islands of St. Pierre and
Miquelon, and Come By Chance has a large number of shipping movements associated with the
transfer of petroleum products.
Table 4.124 summarizes international cargo shipping to and from Eastern Newfoundland ports, which
represents approximately 12 percent of the total marine shipping conducted to and from Newfoundland
and Labrador ports (Statistics Canada 2013b).
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Figure 4.147 Marine Shipping in Eastern Newfoundland
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Table 4.124
Strategic Environmental Assessment
International Shipping in Eastern Newfoundland (2011)
Selected Ports
Number of
Movements
Ballast
Gross
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
235.4
18.0
10,703.3
Argentia
37
Bay Roberts
3
Come By
210
Chance
Fortune
736
155.6
Newfoundland
7
547.6
Offshore (St.
John’s)
Harbour Grace
9
39.1
Holyrood
8
202.9
Lewisporte
8
185.4
Long Harbour
16
43.4
Long Pond
2
15.8
Marystown
2
1.0
St. John’s
43
701.1
Bay Bulls
8
51.3
Total
1,089
12,899.9
Source: Statistics Canada (2013b)
Net
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
103.6
9.0
5,705.7
Number of
Movements
74
4
223
Cargo
Gross
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
541.7
20.2
11,027.3
Net
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
247.0
10.0
5,863.1
Total
Tonnage
Handled
(‘000 t)
45.0
4.0
14,911.1
56.6
276.2
336
12
30.7
924.0
11.2
438.1
7.0
1,272.0
18.3
87.6
80.8
16.5
7.1
0.3
364.7
23.5
6,749.9
13
8
7
4
2
0
6
9
698
44.7
202.9
147.7
29.7
15.8
0.0
42.1
59.4
13,086.2
20.0
87.6
66.2
12.0
7.1
0.0
20.7
26
6,809
8.8
246.3
114.7
1.8
15.9
0.0
8.1
19.3
16,654
Annually, Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador ports experience a larger number of domestic shipping
movements than international movements (Table 4.125). Domestic activity includes a large amount of
shipping attributed to Eastern Newfoundland’s offshore oil and gas industry. Placentia Bay, in
particular, sees substantial oil tanker traffic each year along with other marine activities at several
zones of convergence. The potential for, and possible effects of, an associated oil spill or other
accidental event in the Bay has been identified as a concern (Transport Canada 2007).
Table 4.125
Domestic Shipping in Eastern Newfoundland (2011)
Selected Ports
Net
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
75.5
0.4
24.0
8.7
2.9
162.6
5,018.9
Number of
Movements
28
1
5
3
1
14
143
Ballast
Gross
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
148.2
0.8
54.9
13.3
4.4
385.4
9,784.8
138
10,621.2
8
64
49
5
4.0
424.4
325.7
6.0
Number of
Movements
Argentia
Arnold’s Cove
Bay Roberts
Carmanville
Catalina
Clarenville
Come By
Chance
Newfoundland
Offshore (St.
John’s)
Holyrood
Lewisporte
Long Pond
Marystown
16
0
4
3
1
14
131
Cargo
Gross
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
97.5
0.0
52.6
13.3
4.4
385.4
9,045.0
Net
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
58.4
0.0
23.0
8.7
2.9
162.6
4,614.1
5,455.0
1,268
13,707.6
6,338.1
12,391.4
1.2
199.8
164.9
3.3
4
35
40
1
28.6
151.8
215.2
4.4
16.9
69.9
134.3
2.9
18.0
150.4
229.9
6.8
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Total
Tonnage
Handled
35.9
0.0
49.3
15.1
3.4
513.8
12,476.5
Page 371
Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Selected Ports
Number of
Movements
St. John’s
62
Total
521
Source: Statistics Canada (2013b)
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Ballast
Gross
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
968.0
22,741.1
Net
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
406.5
11,523.7
Number of
Movements
1,527
3,044
Cargo
Gross
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
10,593.3
34,299.1
Net
Tonnage
(‘000 t)
3,547.7
14,979.5
Total
Tonnage
Handled
1,357.7
27,248.2
St. John’s
St. John’s Harbour, operated by the St. John’s Port Authority, is one of a series of Canada Port
Authorities, meaning it has been deemed to be an important Canadian port for domestic and
international shipping (Westac 1999; TC 2013). The Port of St. John’s is the busiest of the domestic
shipping ports, the key characteristics and capacity of which are summarized in Tables 4.126 and
4.127.
Table 4.126
St. John’s Port Capacity
Parameter
Berthage / Length
Deck Elevation
Minimum Dockside Depth
Channel Width
Channel Depth
Tidal Range
Source: J. McGrath, pers. comm. (2013)
Table 4.127
Details
45-180 m
3m
6m
91 m
11.8 m
1.38 m (spring)
St. John’s Port Berthage by Pier
Pier Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
18
19
20
21
Source: J. McGrath, pers. comm. (2013)
Berthage Length
175 m
165 m
180 m
120 m
160 m
150 m
100 m
150 m
150 m
150 m
180 m
45 m
115 m
162 m
58 m
The Port of St. John’s is an important centre of activity for a number of industries. It is the primary
supply center for the offshore oil and gas industry in Atlantic Canada, as well as an important container
terminal and a fishing port. Other activities include Canadian Coast Guard communications operations,
fuel wholesale, military activity by the Department of National Defence, ship repair and refitting,
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
industrial fabrication, oil and gas research and seafood unloading. Some of the key industrial operators
that utilize the Port of St. John’s are listed in Table 4.128.
Table 4.128
Industrial Marine Activity in St. John’s Harbour
Company
Activities
Mobil Oil Canada
Oil and gas exploration and development
DFO / Canadian Coast Guard
Regional operations centre for the Canadian Coast Guard
Imperial Oil Limited
Oil and gas exploration and development
Irving Oil Limited
Wholesale fuels
A. Harvey and Company Limited
Logistic services to the offshore oil and gas industry, trucking services
Department of National Defence
Military Activity
NewDock / St. John’s Dockyard
Ship repair / refit, offshore services, industrial fabrication
Suncor
Oil and gas exploration and production
MI Swaco
Oil and gas exploration and production
Oceanex
Container shipping
DWI Services Limited
Offloading in-season seafood catch from vessels, ice supply
Propel Research
Oil and gas research
Sources: SJPA (2013a); NewDock (2013); Suncor (2013); A. Harvey and Company Limited (2013); Irving Oil
Limited (2013); MI Swaco (2013); Imperial Oil Limited (2013); PR (2013); CCG (2013a)
Oceanex offers two direct weekly connections from St. John’s to Montreal and Halifax, year round. The
company operates two ice-class, roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels and one ice-class container vessel out
of St. John’s (SJPA 2013b). Offshore oil and gas exploration is ongoing, as is production from the
Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose Projects (SJPA 2013c).
Come By Chance
The Port of Come By Chance, operated by North Atlantic Refining Ltd., is the second-busiest domestic
shipping port in the Eastern Newfoundland due to the movement of oil and gas products. The Come By
Chance refinery is one of the largest in North America, with 500 employees producing 115,000 barrels
per day. The refinery produces gasoline, ultra low sulphur diesel, stove oil, #6 oil, arctic fuel, bunker c,
furnace oil, jet fuel, marine diesel and propane (NARL 2013).
Small Craft Harbours
As many Eastern Newfoundland coastal communities have traditional fishing economies, a large
number of small harbours exist throughout the region. These harbours may have some level of fishing
as well as recreational boating and marine tourism.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a total of 264 harbours are operated by 214 Harbour Authorities, a
large number of which are located in Eastern Newfoundland (Table 4.129). Core fishing harbours,
owned by DFO and managed by Harbour Authorities, are critical to the fishing and aquaculture
industries (Figure 4.148). Non-core harbours may have some level of fishing (D. Boutilier, pers. comm.
2013). As well as the transhipment of fish and seafood products, small craft harbours are often used
extensively for recreational boating and marine tourism activities.
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Table 4.129
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Eastern Newfoundland Harbour Authorities and Core Fishing Harbours
Harbour Authorities
Admiral’s Beach
Aquaforte
Arnold’s Cove
Baine Harbour and Rushoon
Bauline
Bay Bulls
Bay de Verde
Bay Roberts
Bonaventures
Bonavista
Branch
Brigus
Brigus South
Burin
Calvert
Canning’s Cove
Cape Freels
Carbonear
Carmanville
Catalina
Champney’s West and Trinity East
Chance Cove
Change Islands
Comfort Cove
Conception Harbour
Cupids
Davis Cove
Dildo
Duntara, Keels and King’s Cove
English Harbour East
Fair Haven
Fermeuse / Port Kirwan
Ferryland
Flatrock
Fogo Island
Fort Amherst Small Boat Basin
Fortune
Fox Harbour
Foxtrap
Frenchman’s Cove
Garden Cove
Garnish
Glovertown
Gooseberry Cove
Grand Bank
Grand le Pierre
Grates Cove
Green’s Harbour
Managed Harbours
Admiral’s Beach
Aquaforte
Arnold’s Cove, Isle Valen, Tack’s Beach
Baine Harbour, Rushoon
Bauline
Bay Bulls
Bay de Verde
Bay Roberts
New Bonaventure, Old Bonventure
Bonavista
Branch
Brigus
Brigus South
Burin
Calvert
Canning’s Cove
Cape Freels North
Carbonear
Carmanville
Catalina
Champney’s West, Trinity East
Chance Cove
Change Islands
Comfort Cove
Conception Harbour
Cupids
Davis Cove, Monkstown
Dildo, Dildo South
Duntara, Keels, King’s Cove
English Harbour East
Fair Haven
Fermeuse, Port Kirwan
Ferryland
Flatrock
Deep Bay, Fogo, Joe Batt’s Arm, Seldom Come By,
Tilting
St. John’s (Prosser’s Rock)
Fortune
Fox Harbour
Foxtrap
Frenchman’s Cove
Garden Cove
Garnish
Glovertown
Gooseberry Cove
Grand Bank
Grand le Pierre
Grates Cove
Green’s Harbour
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Harbour Authorities
Greenspond
Hant’s Harbour
Happy Adventure
Harbour Mille
Heart’s Content
Heart’s Delight-Islington
Herring Neck
Holyrood-Harbour Main
Indian Bay
Ladle Cove-Aspen Cove
Lamaline
Leading Tickles
Little Burnt Bay
Little Harbour East
Little Heart’s Ease
Long Cove
Lord’s Cove
Lower Island Cove
Lumsden
Mount Arlington Heights
Musgrave Harbour
New Harbour, T.B.
Newmans Cove
Newtown
North Harbour
O’Donnell’s
Old Perlican
Petit Forte
Petty Harbour
Placentia Area
Plate Cove
Point au Gaul
Port de Grave
Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s
Pouch Cove
Princeton
Random Island
Red Harbour
Red Head Cove
Renews
Riverhead
Salvage
Ship Harbour
Sibley’s Cove
South East Bight
Southern Harbour
Southport
St. Bernard;s
St. Brendan’s
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Managed Harbours
Greenspond
Hant’s Harbour
Happy Adventure
Harbour Mille
Heart’s Content
Heart’s Delight, Islington
Herring Neck
Harbour Main, Holyrood
Centreville
Aspen Cove, Ladle Cove
Lamaline, Point Crewe
Leading Tickles West
Little Burnt Bay
Little Harbour East
Little Heart’s Ease
Long Cove
Lord’s Cove
Lower Island Cove
Lumsden
Long Harbour (Mount Arlington Heights)
Musgrave Harbour
Hopeall, New Harbour
Newmans Cove
Newtown
North Harbour (Placentia Bay)
O’Donnell’s
Old Perlican
Petit Forte
Petty Harbour
Jerseyside
Plate Cove West
Point au Gaul
Hibb’s Cove, Port de Grave, Ship Cove (Conception
Bay)
Portugal Cove, St. Philip’s
Pouch Cove
Princeton
Hickman’s Harbour, Lower Lance Cove
Red Harbour
Red Head Cove
Renews
Riverhead
Salvage
Ship Harbour
Sibley’s Cove
South East Bight
Southern Harbour
Southport
St. Bernard’s
St. Brendan’s (Shoal Cove and Dock Cove)
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Harbour Authorities
St. Bride’s
St. Lawrence
St. Mary’s
St. Vincent’s
Summerford
Summerville
Sunnyside
Sweet Bay
Tickle Cove and Open Hall
Trepassey
Twillingate
Upper Island Cove
Valleyfield-Badger’s Quay-Pool’s Island
Wesleyville
Western Bay-Jobs Cove
Whiteway
Winterton
Witless Bay
Source: D. Boutilier, pers. comm. (2013)
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Managed Harbours
St. Bride’s
St. Lawrence
St. Mary’s
Bragg’s Island, Dover
Summerford
Summerville
Sunnyside
Sweet Bay
Open Hall, Tickle Cove
Trepassey
Jenkin’s Cove, Twillingate (Shoal Tickle)
Upper Island Cove
Valleyfield
Wesleyville
Job’s Cove, Ochre Pit Cove
Whiteway
Winterton
Witless Bay
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Figure 4.148 Eastern Newfoundland Small Craft Harbours
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Strategic Environmental Assessment
4.3.5.2 Ferry Services
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Transportation and Works operates and/or
administers the provincial ferry system. This service delivers passengers and freight to remote coastal
communities that are not connected by road (NLDTW 2013). Four ferry services operate in the Eastern
Newfoundland region (Tables 4.130 and 4.131).
Table 4.130
Eastern Newfoundland Ferry Services
Ferry Route
Farewell - Change Islands / Fogo Island
Burnside - St. Brendan’s
Portugal Cove - Bell Island
Southeast Bight and Petit Forte
Source: NLDTW (2013)
Table 4.131
Operated By
Department of Transportation and Works
Department of Transportation and Works
Department of Transportation and Works
Department of Transportation and Works
Eastern Newfoundland Ferry Activity
Service
Year
Passengers
Farewell - Fogo
Island / Change
Islands
Burnside - St.
Brendan’s
Passenger Vehicles
2010/11
165,299
2011/12
165,568
2012/13
166,396
2010/11
14,327
2011/12
17,572
2012/13
18,040
Portugal Cove-Bell
2010/11
530,147
Island
2011/12
516,388
2012/13
533,353
Southeast Bight 2010/11
7,713
Petit Forte
2011/12
7,711
2012/13
7,676
Source: K. Martin, pers. comm. (2013)
*The Southeast Bight to Petit Forte ferry does not take vehicle traffic
76,162
82,315
77,896
7,313
8,624
8,993
239,944
236,293
242,796
NA*
Commercial
Vehicles
4,944
4,690
4,463
233
193
188
4,991
5,289
5,317
NA*
The interprovincial ferry service provides access to North Sydney, Nova Scotia from Port aux Basques
year round and through Argentia from spring to fall. The Argentia ferry operates two to three times per
week (MAI 2013). Most activity on the Argentia to North Sydney ferry is passenger traffic with between
24,000 and 31,000 passengers and approximately 10,000 to 13,000 passenger vehicles annually
(Table 4.132). Commercial traffic includes tractor trailers moving goods between Newfoundland and
Nova Scotia.
Table 4.132
Argentia / North Sydney Ferry Activity
Season
2008 (May 3 – October 7)
2009 (May 3 – October 7)
2010 (May 3 – October 7)
2011 (May 3 – October 7)
2012 (May 3 – October 7)
Source: K. Guiney, pers. comm. (2013)
Passengers
Passenger Vehicles
26,700
29,196
24,392
30,999
25,473
10,673
12,231
10,293
13,067
11,079
C-NLOPB • Eastern Newfoundland SEA • Draft Report • February 2014 • AMEC Project #TF1382502
Commercial
Vehicles
401
739
742
778
887
Page 378
Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
4.3.5.3 Marine Traffic Management
Marine Communications and Traffic Service (MCTS) Centres are located in St. John’s and Argentia.
These centres are responsible for detecting marine distress situations and ensuring assistance is
available. They broadcast safety information, direct and provide advice to marine traffic, ensure ports
and traffic movements are efficient and optimized and assist in the operations of pilots (CCG 2013b).
Vessel traffic separation zones are maintained in Placentia Bay and around St. John’s harbour (Figure
4.149). The region also has a large number of navigational buoys, lights and fog signals.
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Figure 4.149 Marine Traffic Management in Eastern Newfoundland
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
4.3.5.4 Marine Cables
Marine cables are laid on the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals
across stretches of ocean. Ten marine cables transect the SEA Study Area (Figure 4.150) (Mahlknecht
2013), several of which have multiple lines associated with them (Table 4.133). One of these is inactive
and three are currently under development.
Table 4.133
Marine Cables
Name
Connecting
Capacity (G)
Distance
(km)
In Service
# of Lines
CANTAT-3
Canada, UK,
Denmark,
Germany, Iceland,
Faroe Islands
7.5
NA
1994-2010
1
FLAG Atlantic
(FA-1)
USA, UK, France
4,800
14,500
1997
2
AC-1
USA, UK,
Netherlands,
Germany
120
14,000
1999
1
AC-2
USA, UK
640
6,400
2000
2
TGN Atlantic
USA, UK
5,120
12,935
2001
2
USA, UK, France,
Netherlands,
Germany, Denmark
3,200
15,428
2001
2
Canada, USA,
Ireland, UK
1,920
13,2000
2001
2
USA, UK, France
40,000
NA
2014
1
USA, France
40,000
NA
2014
1
Canada, USA, UK,
Ireland, Germany,
Netherlands,
Portugal
40,000
5,200
2014
1
TAT-14
Hibernia-Atlantic
Apollo
WASACE
Emerald Express
Sources: Mahlknecht, G. (2013); Submarine Cable Networks (n.d.); Wasace Cable Company (n.d.); Emerald Networks
(2012)
One existing and one future marine cable are located near, but outside of, the SEA Study Area
(Mahlknecht 2013). A portion of the Greenland Connect submarine communications cable system has
a landing point in Milton, Newfoundland, but it is outside of the SEA Study Area. The future Arctic Fiber
cable system will intersect near Clarenville but it will also be outside of the SEA Study Area (Figure
4.150).
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Figure 4.150 Marine Cables in and Near the SEA Study Area
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
4.3.5.5 Unexploded Ordnances and Legacy Sites
Many locations across Canada have been used for military operations, training and weapons testing in
the past. Wartime action along Canada's coasts and incidents involving ships, planes or vehicles
carrying ammunition and explosives have also created legacy sites at which unexploded ordnance
(UXO) may still remain today. A UXO legacy site is any property that was owned, leased or used by
DND but no longer resides within DND's inventory and for which there exists a UXO risk associated
with past Departmental activities. UXO shipwrecks are sites of known shipwrecks containing
unexploded munitions. Several hundred UXO legacy sites are known to exist at locations spread across
Canada's land mass. In addition, 1,100 sites are known to exist off Canada's east coast, with 26 more
on the Pacific coast (DND 2013c).
DND’s UXO and Legacy Sites Program was established in 2005, with the objective of reducing safety
risks posed by UXO at all legacy sites across Canada. The program identifies and catalogues such
sites, assesses risks, and works to reduce UXO risk through property controls, assessment surveys,
UXO clearance operations, and public education. At some sites where the potential risk is great, public
safety must be ensured by restricting access to the sites. In other locations where the risk is minimal,
signage and information campaigns to alert the public to potential hazards may be the preferred action
(DND 2013c).
Various known UXO legacy sites and shipwrecks exist within the NL Offshore Area, including locations
within the SEA Study Area (Figure 4.151). The majority of these sites are shipwrecks (Table 4.134). An
explosive dumpsite also exists in offshore Newfoundland (J. Kearney, pers. comm. 2013).
Table 4.134
UXOs and Legacy Sites
Site or Vessel Name
Type
U-520 Submarine
Legacy Site
U-658 Submarine
Legacy Site
Friar Rock
Shipwreck
Empire Celt
Shipwreck
Flynderborg
Shipwreck
Gretavale
Shipwreck
Broompark
Shipwreck
Arnish
Shipwreck
Balsam Lake
Shipwreck
Capitao Jose Vilareinho
Shipwreck
Diana
Shipwreck
Edward A. Cohan
Shipwreck
Empire Soldier
Shipwreck
Gigantic
Shipwreck
J. B. Kitchen
Shipwreck
Jean M. Madelin
Shipwreck
King Malcolm
Shipwreck
Magnhild
Shipwreck
Mount Mycale
Shipwreck
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Site or Vessel Name
Type
Nokomis
Shipwreck
R. Bowers
Shipwreck
Rosland
Shipwreck
Royal Edward
Shipwreck
Thomas King
Shipwreck
W. T. White
Shipwreck
Source: J. Kearney, pers. comm. (2013)
4.3.5.6 Military Activities
Under the National Defence Act, DND is responsible for several military and civilian organizations and
agencies. DND oversees national security, including the defence and protection of Canada’s marine
jurisdiction. To meet national security obligations, Canada’s Royal Navy and Air Force operate routine
surveillance and monitoring operations throughout Atlantic Canadian waters, often with associated
training operations. As a result, DND may operate aircraft or marine patrols in the region. In some
instances naval frigates or coastal patrol vessels may operate training or other naval operations in the
SEA Study Area. Navy vessels also sometimes provide support to DFO in conducting fishery patrols in
Atlantic Canada, including the coastal waters of Newfoundland. Civilian security operations are
conducted by the Canadian Coast Guard (DND 2013b, DND 2013c, CCG 2013a, RCN 2013).
The Canadian Armed Forces assist with Search and Rescue activities. Operations include aeronautical
search and rescue, medical evacuations, ground search and rescue and provision of equipment and
services to other humanitarian response efforts. The Canadian Rangers, reserve members of the
Canadian Armed Forces, are active members in ground search and rescue operations in rural areas
(DND 2013b).
The Royal Canadian Navy reservist fleet HMCS Cabot operates out of St. John’s, NL. This fleet
includes reservists who lead civilian lives as well as military careers. The fleet is mainly responsible for
coastal surveillance and patrol, including search and rescue, law enforcement and natural resource
protection (including fisheries resources) (RCN 2013).
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Figure 4.151 UXO and Legacy Sites
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
4.3.5.7 Tourism and Recreation
The tourism industry, a key component of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, has grown and
evolved considerably in recent years. The tourism sector includes both residents who travel within the
province and non-residents who visit the province, which together resulted in an estimated $1 billion in
spending in 2012 (NLDTCR 2013). The resident market continues to be a substantial contributor to the
province’s tourism sector, representing nearly 60 percent of total tourism spending in 2011. In 2012 the
number of non-resident visitors increased by 9.9 percent over 2011 to 504,400 (NLDOF 2013).
Eastern Newfoundland has a number of key tourism attractions, including provincial and national sites
that protect and exhibit key areas of ecological, natural heritage, cultural and / or recreational
importance. This region also has a large number of cultural and heritage attractions that commemorate
important people, places and events. These are mainly museums and interpretation centres with
various themes. Annual festivals celebrate seasonal activities (e.g. winter activities or summer / fall
harvests), provide cultural enrichment (e.g. music, theatre), celebrate seasonal foods (e.g. berries,
lobster, crab) or provide community events such as come-home-years. Musical festivals draw large
numbers of people (NLT 2013a). Eleven golf courses are located in the Eastern Newfoundland region
and the White Hills ski area is located near Clarenville (NLT 2013b).
In Eastern Newfoundland, tourism generally occurs within a four-month period (June to September)
with the peak months being July and August. The exceptions are business and convention travel and
winter activities such as those undertaken at the White Hills Ski Resort. Related infrastructure and
facilities are also well developed in the region.
The following sections further describe select coastal and marine-based tourism areas and activities in
Eastern Newfoundland (Figure 4.152). The tourism industry relies, at least in part, on the existence and
nature of coastal communities, the availability of fresh seafood and opportunities to view wildlife and
participate in marine-based activities such as boat tours and sea kayaking.
Eastern Newfoundland’s tourist attractions include national and provincial coastal parks (as described
in Section 4.2.4) and marine-based activities (as well as inland areas and land-based activities).
Provincial and National Parks provide important recreational opportunities, as do other beaches and
coastal areas.
Eastern Newfoundland has many kilometres of coastline and marine-based recreational activities occur
on the open ocean and in sheltered bays. For many tourists, taking a boat tour and viewing marine life
are essential parts of any trip to Newfoundland and Labrador. Businesses offer ocean adventures and
marine related activities such as sea kayaking for residents and tourists. Eastern Newfoundland has a
variety of marine-based tourism activities (Figure 4.152). These are clustered in three main areas: 1)
the Twillingate / Fogo Island region; 2) Terra Nova National Park; and 3) the Southern Shore (Bay Bulls
/ Witless Bay / Mobile). Boat tours and sea kayaking are among the most commonly offered activities
(Table 4.135).
Table 4.135
Eastern Newfoundland Marine Tours and Activities (Select, Illustrative Examples)
Operator
Ocean Treasures Adventures
Choice Adventures
Whales and Birds Inc.
Location
Lewisporte
Comfort Cove
Birchy Bay
Captain Dave’s Fishing and Personalized Tours
Twillingate
Activities
Catamaran boat tours
Boat tours
Sea kayaking, sail boat
and motor boat tours
Boat tours
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Operator
Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours
Skipper Jim Boat Tours
Twillingate Adventure Tours
Twillingate Island Boat Tours
Fogo Island Heritage Boat Tours
Burnside Heritage Foundation, Archeological Boat
Tours
Coastal Connections
Atlantic Adventures Boat Tours
Sea of Whales Adventures
Trinity Eco Tours
Rugged Beauty Boat Tours
Lancaster Boat Tours
Newfoundland Coastal Safari
Dildo Island Adventure Tours
Sail Newfoundland
Ocean Quest Adventures
Adventure Newfoundland
Dee Jay Charters Boat Tour
Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours
Captain Wayne’s Marine Excursions
Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch
Mullowney’s Puffin and Whale Tours
O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours
The Outfitters Adventures
Eco Tours – Witless Bay Wonders
Molly Bawn Whale and Puffn Tours
Colbert’s Puffin and Whale Tours
Stan Cook Sea Kayaking
Source: NLT (2013c)
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Location
Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate
Joe Batt’s Arm
Burnside
Activities
Boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Terra Nova Park
Trinity
Trinity
Trinity
Boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Sea kayaking, SCUBA diving
and Zodiac boat tours
Boat tours
New
Bonaventure
Bonavista
Harbour Mille
Dildo
Avondale
Long Pond
St. John’s
St. John’s
St. John’s
Bay Bulls
Bay Bulls
Bay Bulls
Bay Bulls
Bay Bulls
Witless Bay
Mobile
Bauline East
Cape Broyle
Boat tours
Sea kayaking
Boat tours
Sail boat tours
Sea kayaking, SCUBA diving and
snorkelling
Boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Catamaran boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Sea Kayaking
Zodiac boat tours
Boat tours
Boat tours
Sea kayaking
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Figure 4.152 Some Select Eastern Newfoundland Marine-Based Tourism Activities
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Cruise Ship Activity
Each year from May to October, Newfoundland and Labrador ports are visited by large cruise ships on
trans-Atlantic routes or small ships that tour the Province, the Maritimes and/or Quebec. In 2013, 20
cruise ships visited 23 Newfoundland and Labrador ports bringing a total of 10,533 passengers (Cruise
NL 2013). In Eastern Newfoundland, St. John’s is the main port-of-call (Table 4.136), and September is
the busiest month for cruise ships.
Table 4.136
Eastern Newfoundland Cruise Ship Activity (2013)
Port(s)
Date
Ship
Itinerary
Passengers
St. John’s
May 8
Silver Whisper
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA to
Southhampton, UK
358
St. John’s
May 30
Crystal
Symphony
Atlantic Canada
402
St. John’s
July 20
Akademik loffe
Supply stop enroute to
Greenland
0
St. John’s
July 24
MS Delphin
Greenland and
southeastern Canada
394
St. John’s
Aug. 14
Veendam
Boston to Viking areas (e.g.
Newfoundland, Iceland,
Norway)
1,252
St. John’s
Aug. 19
Amadea
Canada and Greenland
573
St. John’s
Sept. 1
Astor
Canada and Greenland
360
St. John’s
Sept. 7
National
Geographic
Explorer
Greenland, Baffin Island,
Newfoundland and
Labrador
294
Eastern Newfoundland
Sept. 8
National
Geographic
Explorer
Canadian Maritimes
156
St. John’s
Sept. 8
Eurodam
Baltic and Viking areas
1,913
St. John’s
Sept. 11
Caribbean
Princess
Iceland, Greenland, British
Iles
2,973
St. John’s
Sept. 14
National
Geographic
Explorer
Canadian Maritimes
150
Terra Nova
National Park
Sept. 17
Sea Adventurer
Newfoundland
Circumnavigation
125
St. John’s
Sept. 18
Sea Adventurer
Greenland, Labrador,
Newfoundland
250
St. John’s
Sept. 18
AIDAbella
Trans-Atlantic
1,974
Tilting, Fogo Island
Sept. 19
Sea Adventurer
Newfoundland
Circumnavigation
129
St. John’s
Sept. 27
Sea Adventurer
Newfoundland
Circumnavigation
129
St. John’s
Oct. 7
Carnival Legend
Trans-Atlantic
2,089
Source: Cruise NL (2013)
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Coastal Trails
Eastern Newfoundland has a number of hiking trails. located primarily in coastal areas (Table 4.137).
Table 4.137
Eastern Newfoundland Coastal Trails (Select and Illustrative Examples)
Identified Coastal Trails
Codjacks Cove Trail
French Beach Trail
Lower Little Harbour Trail
Sleepy Cove Trail
Spencer’s Park Trail
Fogo Walking Trails
Tilting Walking / Hiking Trails
Island Harbour Hiking Trails
The Old Trails
Terra Nova National Park Trails
Fort (Admiral’s) Point
British Harbour Trail
Skerwink Trail
Fox Island Trail
Marine Hike
Bordeaux Walking Trail
Truce Sound Coastal Trail and Peace Garden
Ocean View Hiking Trail
Bay Roberts East Shoreline Trail
Newfoundland Coastal Walking
Natural Walking Trails
East Coast Trail-Biscan Bay Path
East Coast Trail-Stiles Cove Path
East Coast Trail-Cobbler Path
East Coast Trail-Sugarloaf Path
East Coast Trail-Deadman’s Bay Path
North Head Trail
East Coast Trail-Blackhead Path
East Coast Trail-Cape Spear Path
East Coast Trail-Motion Path
East Coast Trail-Mickeleens Path
East Coast Trail-Spout Path
East Coast Trail-Beaches Path
East Coast Trail-Tinkers Point Path
East Coast Trail-La Manche Village Path
East Coast Trail-Flamber Head Path
East Coast Trail-Brigus Head Path
East Coast Trail-Cape Broyle Head Path
East Coast Trail-Sounding Hills Path
East Coast Trail-Mudder Wet Path
East Coast Trail-Spurwink Island Path
East Coast Trail-Bear Cove Point Path
East Coast Trail-Island Meadow Path
Hare Hill Hiking Trail
Source: NLT (2013d)
Location
Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate
Fogo Island
Fogo Island
Fogo Island
Eastport Peninsula
Newman’s Sound, Bonavista Bay
Trinity
New Bonaventure
Trinity East
Champney’s West
Grand Bank
Arnold’s Cove
Sunnyside
Long Cove
Bay Roberts-Mad Rock and French’s Cove
Topsail
Bell Island
Cape St. Francis to Pouch Cove
Pouch Cove to Flatrock
Torbay Point to Logy Bay
Logy Bay to Quidi Vidi Village
Fort Amherst to Blackhead
Signal Hill
Blackhead to Cape Spear
Cape Spear to Maddox Cove
Petty Harbour to Shoal Bay Road
Bay Bulls to Witless Bay
Bay Bulls to Shoal Bay
Witless Bay to Mobile
Mobile to Tors Cove
La Manche Provincial Park
La Manche village to Brigus South
Brigus South to Admiral’s Cove
Cape Broyle to Calvert
Ferryland to Aquaforte
Aquaforte
Aquaforte to Port Kirwin
Kingman’s Cove to Renews
Renews to Cappahayden
St. Mary’s
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The East Coast Trail extends along the east coast of the Avalon Peninsula from Cape St. Francis to
Cappahayden. This 275 km system of hiking trails links to 32 communities that have a variety of
services and accommodations (NLT 2013d).
Marinas
There are also a number of marinas located throughout coastal Newfoundland and Labrador, including
at the following locations in Eastern Newfoundland (NLT 2013e; Bruce, D and D n.d.):

















Lewisporte
Seldom Harbour
Musgrave Harbour
Terra Nova National Park
Bonavista
Trinity Harbour
Clarenville
Old Perlican
Harbour Grace
Bonavista
Port de Grave
Bay Roberts
Holyrood (2 marinas)
Long Pond
St. John’s
Fortune
Grand Bank
Beaches
Recreational beaches are also found throughout Eastern Newfoundland (Table 4.138), some of which
are located in coastal parks.
Table 4.138
Eastern Newfoundland Beaches (Select and Illustrative Examples)
Identified Beaches
Musgrave Harbour Beach
Eastport Beaches
Golden Sands Amusement Park
Salmon Cove Sands
Northern Bay Sands
Rotary Topsail Beach
Middle Cove Beach
St. Vincent’s Beach
Source: NLT (2013b)
Location
Musgrave Harbour
Eastport Peninsula
Marystown
Salmon Cove
Northern Bay
Topsail
Middle Cove
St. Vincent’s
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Coastal Bird Watching
Eastern Newfoundland also has a number of noteworthy bird habitats, including coastal sites, that may
be used for bird watching. These areas may be completely or partially protected by federal (i.e. Terra
Nova National Park) or provincial parks and protected areas (i.e. Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve,
Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve, Funk Island Ecological Reserve, Mistaken Point Ecological
Reserve, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and Lawn Islands Archipelago Provisional Ecological
Reserve), which may or may not permit human access. Protected areas and identified sensitive marine
bird habitats (that may be used for bird watching) are also discussed in Section 4.2.2.
Table 4.139
Coastal Bird Watching Areas
Identified Bird Areas
Deadman’s Bay
Provincial Park
Funk Island
Ecological Reserve
Lawn Islands Archipelago
Provisional Ecological
Reserve
Cape St. Mary’s
Ecological Reserve
Baccalieu Island
Ecological Reserve





Description / Key Features
Shorebirds
Location
Lumsden
More than one million common murres in largest
colony of common murre in the western North Atlantic
Seabirds, only breeding colony of Manx shearwater in
North America
East of Fogo
Island
3 islands off
Lawn
Many seabirds including the 2nd largest nesting
colony of gannets in Newfoundland and 3rd largest in
North America
11 seabird species breed on the island including over
300 million pairs of Leach’s Strom petrels (world’s
largest)
Millions of seabirds including puffins
Cape St. Mary’s
Witless Bay

Ecological Reserve
Source: NLT (2013b); NLDEC (2013a)
Off Bay de Verde
4 small islands off
Witless Bay
4.3.5.8 Other Current or Traditional Uses of the Marine and Coastal Environments
In Canada, bird hunting is permitted under the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations. Environment
Canada provides annual hunting regulations, including season dates and bag limits, for each province
and territory (CWS 2013). The particular species hunted in marine and inland areas differ by province,
region and habitat type. Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador hunt various migratory bird species
in marine and inland areas. These birds (including species of waterfowl and murres) have long been an
important source of food in traditional diets.
The SEA Study Area is nearest to the Northeastern Coastal and Avalon – Burin Coastal Migratory
Game Bird Hunting Zones, as well as Murre Hunting Zones 2, 3 and 4 (Figure 4.153, NLDEC 2013b).
Table 4.140 summarizes the bag and possession limits for coastal areas in Eastern Newfoundland.
There is no spring / summer bird hunting season and birds are hunted in fall and winter, from October
to March (NLDEC 2013b; CWS 2013).
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Table 4.140
Waterfowl and Murre Hunting (2013-2014)
Species
Waterfowl Ducks
including
Mergansers,
Geese and Snipe
Management
Areas
Northeastern
Coastal / Avalon
– Burin Coastal
Spring /
Summer
Seasons
No season
Fall / Winter Seasons
November 23, 2013 to
February 28, 2014
th
Waterfowl Longtailed Ducks,
Eiders and
Scoters
Murre (Turr)
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Bag and Possession
Limits*
Ducks (6 daily, 18
possession with other
limitations)
Mergansers (6 daily, 12
possession)
Geese (5 daily, 10
possession)
Snipe (10 daily, 20
possession)
4 Saturday in
November to last day
in February
6 daily, 12 possession
Hunting Zone 2
October 6, 2013 to
January 20, 2014
20 per hunter per day / 40
per hunter at any one time
Hunting Zone 3
November 25, 2013 to
March 10, 2014
Hunting Zone 4
November 3, 2013 to
January 10, 2014 /
February 2 to March
10, 2014
Source: NLDEC (2013b), CWS (2013)
Eastern Newfoundland residents and visitors also gather shellfish such as mussels in coastal areas, but
specific and detailed information is not available on where, when and how much is harvested.
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Figure 4.153 Eastern Newfoundland Waterfowl and Murre Hunting Areas
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
5
Strategic Environmental Assessment
ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS, MITIGATION AND PLANNING
CONSIDERATIONS
This Chapter provides an identification and analysis of potential environmental issues and effects,
mitigation measures and planning considerations related to possible future offshore oil and gas
activities in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area. Each VEC is addressed in a separate section,
which includes a discussion of:

Potential environmental interactions, existing knowledge and standard mitigation measures
which may be applied to offshore oil and gas activities to avoid or reduce adverse environmental
effects; and

Identified environmental planning and management considerations, as well as a discussion of
any further activity, site or time-specific mitigation measures which may be required or
appropriate.
The SEA also describes potential cumulative environmental effects which may result from future
offshore oil and gas activities in combination with each other and with other projects and activities in the
region, as well as associated planning and/or regulatory considerations to help avoid or reduce such
effects. It concludes with an evaluation of the availability and adequacy of existing environmental
baseline information and any relevant data gaps and requirements, as well as possible opportunities to
address these in the future.
5.1
Fish and Fish Habitat (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)
An overview of marine fish species in the SEA Study Area was provided in Chapter 4. This included
information on their life histories, habitat preferences and reproduction patterns and practices, as well
as known fish presence and abundance, spatial and temporal distribution and movements within the
SEA Study Area. This VEC includes relevant fish species, as well as plankton, algae, benthos, plant
communities and other aspects of fish and their habitats, given the clear interrelationships between
these ecological components. This information has been used to assess and evaluate the key potential
interactions of this VEC with possible future offshore oil and gas activities in the area. Where relevant,
differences between these components and their potential interactions with offshore oil and gas
activities are also highlighted.
5.1.1
Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects
The potential environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine fish and
their habitats may be both direct and indirect in nature, and can include the following:

Possible injury or mortality due to exposure to underwater sounds such as seismic signals at
very close range (particularly immobile species);

Fish and invertebrate displacement through the avoidance of certain areas that would otherwise
be used (such as insonified areas during seismic surveys, drilling activity, vessel traffic), with
these behavioural effects altering the presence and abundance of marine fish, as well as
potentially disturbing their movements / migration (to and through the area), feeding and other
important activities;
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Strategic Environmental Assessment

Interference with (and the masking of) sounds within the marine environment that originate from
and/or are used by marine fish, such as in communication, the identification and detection of
prey and other activities and requirements;

Potential contamination of fish and invertebrates and their habitats due to environmental
discharges during planned and routine oil and gas exploration or production activities;

Possible destruction or other alteration of fish habitats due to the discharge and deposition of
drill cuttings, placement of other project infrastructure or activities, accidental spills or possibly
the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species;

The attraction of fish to project installations and vessels, resulting in increased potential for
injury, contamination or other interactions;

Possible changes in the availability, distribution or quality of feed sources and/or habitats for fish
and invertebrates as a result of planned oil and gas activities; and

Changes in the presence, abundance, distribution and/or health of fish and invertebrates as a
result accidental spills from offshore exploration or production installations or vessels (through
physical exposure, ingestion, effects on prey and habitats, etc).
Table 5.1 provides a summary overview of the key potential environmental interactions between marine
fish and fish habitat and various types of offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities. This
includes summarizing some examples of existing information and knowledge that is provided through
the literature and other relevant sources regarding these potential issues and effects. The intent is to
generally and briefly reference and highlight some of this available information and its main findings as
well as any areas of on-going uncertainty, in order to generally inform the analyses. A more detailed
review and discussion of this literature and other relevant information is provided in other sources.
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Table 5.1
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Fish and Fish Habitat (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Potential Environmental
Interactions
Components
Potential Environmental
/ Activities
Interactions
SEISMIC SURVEYS
 Avoidance of areas during
Air Gun
and/or following seismic
Operations
surveys

Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects
Based on Available Information Sources


Possible injury or mortality










A considerable amount of research has been conducted on the effects of offshore seismic
surveys (of various types and intensities) on marine fish. This has included scientific research,
monitoring studies and anecdotal reports of observed reactions (see DFO 2004 for a review).
The possible effects on this VEC resulting from sound in the marine environment due to
offshore seismic surveys may be behavioural (avoidance, other changes in distribution or
activities) or involve injury to or mortality of individual fish.
Immediate behavioural reactions to exposure to seismic sound have been widely documented
in marine organisms (DFO 2004).
The available literature indicates that when exposed to an operating air-gun, mobile marine
fish may exhibit a range of responses, including: no change in behaviour (eg, Pickett et al
1994; Wardle et al 2001; Andriguetto-Filho et al 2005), temporary avoidance of the area for a
period (eg, McCauley et al 2000a, 2000b), and other behaviours such as swimming to deeper
depths, milling in compact schools or becoming more active (eg, Slotte et al 2004).
Behavioural and physiological responses vary by species and with the seismic array used. For
example, deep water species and those lacking swim bladders (e.g. Greenland halibut) may
be less vulnerable to effects from seismic activities (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
Most of the sound energy produced by an airgun array is in the range of 10-300 hertz (Hz),
with highest levels at frequencies of less than 100 Hz (see Chapter 3). Airgun emission
frequencies therefore fall within the hearing band of most fish species, and could therefore be
audible, and these may affect fish behaviour at distances where levels are sufficiently high.
Although effect threshold levels (ETLs) have not been definitively defined for all fish species
and circumstances, a review by Turnpenny and Nedwell (1994), for example, indicated that
studies have shown ETLs for fish behavioural reactions to airgun noise ranging from 160 –
188 dB re 1 µPa.
Depending on airgun source levels and accounting for sound spreading, these levels could
occur from less than 1 km to dozens of km from a seismic vessel location.
A number of studies cite seismic activity as the cause of decreased fish abundance and
catches (e.g Skalski et al 1992; Engås et al 1996), with such effects at times being evident
within several kilometres (e.g. 33km - Engås et al 1996) of the sound source and continuing
for days after the cessation of seismic activity (Lokkeborg 1991; Engås et al 1996).
The effects of seismic activity on fish catch rates is variable by species and gear type (Hirst
and Rodhouse 2000; Lokkeborg et al 2012; Vold et al 2012).
Catches for some species / gear types (such as gillnet catches of orange rockfish and halibut)
have actually increased during seismic activity, whereas others (such as longline catches of
haddock) have been observed to decrease.
At larger scales, regions with seismic activity had decreased catches for only a few species for
certain gear types (eg, saithe and haddock with gill nets; Vold et al 2009).
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Components
/ Activities
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Potential Environmental
Interactions










Disturbances, possible
avoidance or attraction by
marine fish


Contamination of fish and/or
alteration of their habitats


Reduced fish mortality due to
presence of safety zone
Vessel Traffic


Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects
Based on Available Information Sources
Studies have also investigated potential fish injury, such as damage to hearing structures (e.g.
Popper et al 2005) and/or mortality of fish, fish eggs or larvae (e.g. Parry and Gason 2006).
While it is evident that fish often respond to sounds emitted from air guns, little direct physical
damage to fish occurs at distances greater than several meters from the source. Due to the
avoidance behaviour of free-swimming fish, they typically do not suffer physical damage from
seismic surveys (Gausland 1993).
Indeed, there are no documented cases of fish mortality under exposure to seismic sound
under field operating conditions (DFO 2004; Payne 2004) and overall, exposure to seismic
sound is considered unlikely to result in direct fish mortality (DFO 2004).
Most such studies have found that stationary fish affected by seismic surveys were located
within a few metres of airguns, or caged close to the source (see McCauley et al 2003 and
Turnpenny and Nedwell 1994 for a review).
The effects of seismic surveys on marine phytoplankton, zooplankton and the planktonic life
stages of various marine fish species have also been investigated (see Dalen et al 2007 for a
review).
Several studies have shown mortality of fish eggs and larvae within several meters of airguns
(e.g., Kosheleva 1992, Booman et al 1996), whereas others have investigated or estimated
the effect of seismic airguns on plankton (e.g., Davis et al 1998; Gausland 1993).
Seismic waves can, for example, have lethal or sublethal effects on plankton at short range
(<5m; Ostby et al 2003 in Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
The timing and location of seismic activity is a key factor in the likelihood and potential degree
of effect. Airguns operating in areas and times of strong seasonal stratifications or upwelling
may, for example, affect more planktonic material because of its higher densities (Boudreau et
al 2001).
Other potential implications of seismic activity on fish include chronic effects (e.g., elevation of
neurohormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which often occur in fish under stressful
conditions) as well as the potential risk of effects on reproduction (Payne et. al 2008).
Noise generated by vessel traffic can be transmitted through water, causing avoidance by
some species.
Physiological and reproductive effects have been reported when fish are continually exposed
to noise (Clark et al 1996).
Given the opportunity, fish will generally avoid areas where noise levels exceed their threshold
of hearing by 30 dB or more (ICES 1995).
Potential introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species and resulting habitat degradation
(Morris et al 2011).
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Components
Potential Environmental
Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects
/ Activities
Interactions
Based on Available Information Sources
EXPLORATION / DELINEATION DRILLING AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
 Disturbances, possible
 See vessel traffic section above
Vessel Traffic
avoidance or attraction by
marine fish
 Discharges causing
contamination of fish and/or
their habitats
 Disturbances (low flying
Aircraft Traffic
aircraft)
Presence of
Structures,
Drilling,
Lights, Noise,
Other
Activities and
Disturbances
Routine
Discharges
(sewage,
deck
drainage,
bilge / cooling
water, wash
fluids,
produced
water, other
waste)
 Disturbances, possible
avoidance or attraction by fish

 Discharges causing
contamination of fish and/or
their habitats

 Reduced fish mortality due to
presence of safety zone

 Discharges causing
contamination of fish and/or
their habitats (water and
sediment quality)




The presence of a petroleum installation in marine waters will often attract some fish and
invertebrate species, which is often referred to as a “reef effect” (Picken and McIntyre 1989;
LGL Limited et al 2000). Lights from drill units and seismic and support vessels may also
attract some species.
Less of a reef effect typically occurs around exploratory drilling units than production rigs, as
the amount of subsurface structure is less and the duration of the interaction is much shorter
(LGL Limited et al 2000).
Noise from marine structures or activities may cause avoidance by some species, with short
term and low frequency noises appearing to elicit temporary avoidance due to startling effects
with longer-term avoidance of the noise is higher frequency or continuous (Misund et al 1996;
Wilson and Dill 2002).
Reviews indicate that the response of the benthic community to drill cuttings discharges can
be dependent on the types of drilling fluid used (Netto et al 2008).
Oil-based drilling muds can affect benthic habitat and communities well away from the drill site
(>6km; Breuer et al 2008).
Biological effects of water-based muds are not normally found beyond about 250-500-m from
a drilling platform (Hurley and Ellis 2004; Schaaning et al 2008; Jorissena et al 2009; Santosa
et al 2009), and environmental monitoring data from offshore oil developments in the NL
Offshore Area have indicated that the actual area of effect has been much smaller than even
that which was predicted (reviewed in LGL Limited 2005).
The accumulation of drill cuttings can cause reduced abundances and differences in
community composition (Schaanning et al 2008; Neff et al 2000).
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Components
/ Activities
Drill Muds
and Cuttings
Potential Environmental
Interactions
 Contamination, taint,
bioaccumulation
 Decreased water quality
Other Seabed
and Coastal  Habitat loss / alteration
Disturbances
(excavations,  Smothering of benthic
equipment
communities
installation)
Atmospheric
Emissions
(exhaust, gas
venting,
flaring)
Well
Abandonment
Accidental
Spills of Oil or
other
Substances
 Particulate deposition on water,
associated water quality effects
Strategic Environmental Assessment





 Blasting (noise) effects (if
required)


 Contamination, taint, toxicity,
bioaccumulation
 Decreased water quality
 Habitat alteration






Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects
Based on Available Information Sources
Water-based muds can affect macrofauna due to, for example, associated oxygen enrichment
that can initiate eutrophication responses (e.g. Trannum et al 2010).
Water based muds are thought to be dispersed in the water column where they could affect
pelagic organisms (Jensen et al 2006). Laboratory studies also show potential for particles
from water-based muds to affect fish and bivalves (Bechmann et al 2006).
A general recovery in terms of abundance, species richness and diversity has been observed
for the benthic communities one year after drilling (Husky Energy 2000; Netto et al 2008;
Manoukian et al 2010). The rate of recovery will, however, depend on site-specific
environmental characteristics and processes, and the associated rate of recruitment and
recolonization by the benthic fauna characteristic of the area (Neff et al 2000).
Offshore oil and gas activities may affect deep sea corals through physical damage of the
coral or dislodgement of organisms from anchoring and/or mooring of floating vessels,
increased turbidity, smothering from drill cuttings, and any release of hydrocarbons into the
marine environment (Campbell and Simms 2009).
The effects of produced water are not definitively known but there are concerns over long term
effects, particularly from hormone disrupting phenols, radioactive components and nutrients
(Rye et al 2003 in Boertmann and Mosbech 2012). One study documented evidence of PAH
residues in cod and mussels situated near oil rigs, but also noted that levels in cod remained
below those found in coastal areas (Hylland et al 2008).
Should explosives be used during well abandonment, shock waves produced by high
explosives may be damaging to fish (Davis et al 1998).
The detonation of explosives in or adjacent to fish habitat can cause disturbance, injury and/or
death to fish, and/or the alteration, disruption or destruction of their habitats, sometimes at a
considerable distance from the point of detonation (Wright and Hopky 1998).
A great deal of research has also been completed regarding the effects of exposure of oil on
marine fish and habitat.
A review by Teal and Howarth (1984) examined the effects of numerous oil spills. These
included death of fish eggs and larvae, decreases in fish spawning, death of adult fish,
decreased growth in fish and shellfish, contamination of fish and shellfish, decreased
recruitment and decreased catches.
Contamination of shellfish was found to be common, but contamination of finfish occurred in
only about half the cases (Teal and Howarth 1984). In most cases, effects persisted for less
than a year, although effects on one species (flatfish) persisted for up to 8 years.
Spill effects depend on a variety of factors, including: the amount and type of oil,
environmental conditions, species and life stage, lifestyle, fish condition, degree of
confinement of experimental subjects and others (LGL Limited 2005).
Macroalgae are considered to be at risk from oil spills due to toxic effects and smothering
(NOAA 2010; Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
Finfish may be affected through direct physical effects (e.g., coating of gills and suffocation) or
more subtle physiological effects (e.g., abnormal gill function, decreased growth, altered
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Components
/ Activities
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Potential Environmental
Interactions













Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects
Based on Available Information Sources
enzymatic activity, immunotoxic responses or organ damage) (for a review, see LGL Limited
2005; Jung et al 2012; Barron 2012).
Oil spill dispersants can also impair physiological function of fish (Milinkovitch et al 2013).
Exposure to spilled oil can alter genomic expression of finfish (Whitehead et al 2012).
Recent studies have shown that exposure to oil can affect fish embryo development and
survival (Murakamia et al 2008; Frantzen et al 2012; Incardona et al 2012; Ingvarsdottir et al
2012). Species with buoyant eggs are particularly vulnerable (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
Possible behavioural effects on fish include avoidance of the contaminated area or altered
natural behaviours related to predator avoidance or feeding (LGL Limited 2005).
Juvenile and adult fish have been known to leave an area after a spill (Roth and Baltz 2009).
However, fish may not show avoidance behaviour, depending on such factors as migration
impulse or concentrations of toxic components (Rice 1985, cited in LGL Limited et al 2000).
Oil exposure can lower the density of invertebrate populations (Andersen et al 2008), and can
cause a notable change in the composition and abundance of the benthic fauna (Pérez del
Olmo et al 2007).
Benthic fauna such as crabs and molluscs in shallow areas can be greatly affected by oil spills
(McCay et al 2003a, 2003b) but effects on deeper benthic communities have also been
observed from deepwater blowouts (Schrope 2011; White et al 2012).
Zooplankton effects from oil spills include die-offs and contamination, and these can persist in
excess of 70 days (Teal and Howarth 1984). Species that occur at the surface layers of the
water column are considered to be most at risk (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
In some cases phytoplankton biomass can increase during an oil spill due to the negative
effects experienced by zooplankton predators and the nutrient release caused by other dying
organisms (Teal and Howarth 1984).
Phyto and zooplankton communities exposed to dispersants and oil were more affected than
by oil alone (Jung et al 2012). Bivalves such as mussels showed cytotoxilogical and
gentoxilogical effects (Barsiene et al 2012). Saltmarsh arthropods (terrestrial and marine) can
be suppressed by oil exposure but have been shown to recover after a year (McCall and
Penning 2012). Deep water corals can show stress from oiling when they are exposed to spill
plumes (i.e. deepwater blowouts; White et al 2012).
Coastal areas are amongst the most vulnerable to oiling (NOAA 2010). Consequently, some
fish life histories (e.g. anadromous fish such as salmon and beach spawners like capelin) may
be particularly vulnerable to oiling in coastal areas (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
The degree of effect and recovery times are habitat specific (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012)
but structurally complex coastal habitats (e.g. salt marshes and coastal wetlands) are amongst
the most sensitive (Lin and Mendelssohn 2012; Mendelssohn et al 2012; Boertmann and
Mosbech 2012).
Oil in coastal areas can persist for decades in crevices and sediments protected in interstitial
spaces of boulders (Teal and Howarth 1984; NOAA 2010; Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
Recovery of protected coastal areas generally takes longer than from more exposed areas
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Components
/ Activities
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Potential Environmental
Interactions




Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects
Based on Available Information Sources
(Joydas et al 2012; Mendelssohn et al 2012).
Microbial activity is key to degrading spilled oil, but the level of activity varies with type of oil
and environmental conditions (Mendelssohn et al 2012).
Clean up efforts to oiled coastal areas can be more damaging than that of the oil spill and
delay recovery (Peterson et al 2003).
Salt marsh habitats can experience reductions in biomass, show signs of stress (Mishra et al
2012) and have reduced photosynthesis (Wu et al 2012). Impacts to long-lived communities
should be expected to persist for greater durations (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012). Such
communities include coastal benthos and deepwater communities.
Ecotoxological effects of oil spills on invertebrate and fish communities can be amplified when
combined with natural stressors (Whitehead 2013).
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
5.1.2
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Environmental Mitigation Measures
The following provides an overview of some of the typical mitigation measures that are often required
and/or otherwise implemented during offshore oil and gas activities to help avoid or reduce adverse
environmental effects on fish and fish habitat.
The C-NLOPB’s Geophysical, Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical Program Guidelines (CNLOPB 2012) include various requirements and other measures related to environmental planning,
mitigation, monitoring and reporting which are intended to help avoid or reduce the potential effects of
seismic noise in the marine environment, as well as interactions with other ocean users and other
issues. The Guidelines include the Statement of Canadian Practice with Respect to the Mitigation of
Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment (DFO 2007b), which set out a series of mitigation
requirements related to these activities, including measures related to the:





Planning of seismic surveys;
Establishment and monitoring of a safety zone;
Prescribed marine mammal observation and detection measures;
Prescribed start-up procedures; and
Prescribed shut-down requirements.
Other applicable environmental guidelines and measures for oil and gas activities in the NL Offshore
Area, including those related to offshore waste treatment (NEB et al 2010), chemical selection (NEB et
al 2009) and others are referenced in Chapter 3 and are available at C-NLOPB (2013).
These and other standard mitigation measures which are often applied to offshore oil and gas activities
in the NL Offshore Area are summarized in Table 5.2 below:
Table 5.2
Fish and Fish Habitat (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species):
Summary of Standard Environmental Mitigation Measures
Mitigation





Avoidance of known species at risk and/or sensitive areas
and/or times where possible in the planning and conduct of oil
and gas activities
Reduction of airgun source levels in the design and
implementation of offshore seismic programs to the minimum
level practical for the survey, including the amount and
frequency of energy used and its likely horizontal propagation
The use of a gradual “ramp-up” procedure over a minimum 20
minute period to allow mobile marine animals to move away
from the area if they are disturbed by the underwater sound
levels associated with a seismic survey
Shut-down of seismic sound source(s) during line changes and
maintenance activities with associated monitoring and ramp-up
provisions
Minimizing the amount of associated vessel and aircraft traffic,
Applicability
Geophysical
Surveys
Exploration
and
Production
Drilling
Oil and
Gas
Production
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
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Mitigation











and the use of existing and common travel routes where
possible and the avoidance of low-level aircraft operations
Minimizing environmental discharges and emissions from
planned operations and activities, including compliance with
relevant regulations and standards
The installation and use of oil water separators to treat
contained deck drainage, with collected oil stored and disposed
of properly
Selection of non-toxic drilling fluids, including the use of WBMs
wherever possible and technically feasible
Treatment of operational discharges (such as sewage, deck
drainage, bilge / cooling water, wash fluids, produced water,
other waste) prior to release in compliance with the Offshore
Waste Treatment Guidelines and other applicable regulations
and standards
All foreign vessels operating in Canadian jurisdiction must
comply with the Ballast Water Control and Management
Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act during ballasting and
de-ballasting activities
Appropriate handling, storage, transportation and on-shore
disposal of solid and hazardous wastes
Water contaminated with hydrocarbons generated during flow
testing (within certain tolerances), can be atomized in the flare
(using high efficiency burners) or shipped on-shore for disposal
Selection and screening of chemicals under the Offshore
Chemical Selection Guidelines for Drilling and Production
Activities on Frontier Lands
The use of mechanical procedures during well completion and
abandonment activities where possible, including the proactive
design of well structures to facilitate this
Should blasting be required (such as in well abandonment),
appropriate scheduling of these activities to avoid sensitive
times, as well as setting of charges below the sediment
surface, minimizing the amount of explosives utilized the use
of high velocity explosives and staggering of individual blasts
Spill prevention plans and procedures, with associated and
effective spill preparedness and response plans in place
Applicability
Geophysical
Surveys
Exploration
and
Production
Drilling
Oil and
Gas
Production
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
The above list provides some examples of typical environmental protection measures which may be
implemented to avoid or reduce adverse effects on marine fish and fish habitat, as well as referencing a
number of relevant compliance standards which may apply to such activities. Additional and/or refined
measures may also be appropriate and required for particular projects, depending on their specific
characteristics, location, timing, environmental settings, and possible effects. Required mitigation
measures are therefore determined on a project-specific basis, through the individual regulatory
reviews of proposed seismic surveys or exploration drilling programs or production projects in the NL
Offshore Area. As a result of the “project-specific” nature of individual offshore programs and their
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environmental emissions and effects, the regulatory reviews of proposed drilling programs for example
typically include an analysis of possible spill types and probabilities, as well as detailed modelling of drill
cutting deposition on the seafloor and the likely fate and behaviour of hypothetical oil spills based on
project and site specific factors such as hydrocarbon types and properties, water depths and
characteristics, currents and other oceanographic conditions. Environmental compliance monitoring
(including reporting on waste discharges, emissions, and treatment systems) is also required to verify
adherence to applicable legislation and any conditions of regulatory approval.
5.1.3
Environmental Planning Considerations
Marine fish are present in the SEA Study Area throughout the year, with many species moving in and
out of the area at different times according to their life histories, habitat preferences and seasonal
activities. Available information on species presence and the overall geographic and seasonal
occurrence of marine fish in and near the region was presented in Section 4.2.1.
5.1.3.1 Fish Species at Risk
A number of fish species that are designated as being at risk (and which are formally protected) under
the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) are known or likely to occur in the SEA Study Area. One
such species, the white shark, is not common in the area and its habitat is not well defined. However it
is likely to inhabit the region during the warm water season. The three remaining species are wolffish
(striped, northern and spotted), all of which are primarily associated with continental slope areas.
Habitats that are of noted importance for wolffish include the Northeast Shelf and Slope EBSA (spotted
wolffish) and the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks EBSA (striped wolffish), where densities of
these species are particularly high. The Bonavista Corridor also appears to be an area of relatively high
concentrations of spotted wolffish.
In addition to those that are legally protected, there are a number of other species that are considered
to be of special conservation concern by organizations such as COSEWIC. Many of these species exist
at a fraction of historic levels but remain relatively widespread along the Grand Banks (such as
yellowtail flounder), the continental shelf (Atlantic cod and American plaice) and the continental slope
(e.g. redfish).
5.1.3.2 Important Areas and Times for Fish and Fish Habitat
Within the SEA Study Area there are several identified ecologically important and/or sensitive regions
that are known to have relatively high productivity, provide habitat for flora and fauna that are not
otherwise widespread, and/or which provide unique opportunities for species to fulfil key aspects of
their life history (such as reproduction or migration).
The Newfoundland Shelf has been previously studied to identify such areas, which has resulted in the
designation of various EBSAs. These include the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks, Lilly Canyon
and Carson Canyon, the Northeast Shelf and Slope and the Virgin Rocks areas. These locations
encompass important spawning areas and/or locations with relatively high densities of marine flora and
fauna. The Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks is important to commercial and non-commercial fish
spawning and provides the only known nursery area for yellowtail flounder in the region. It is also a
zone of high productivity for several taxa (plankton, striped wolffish, blue mussels, wedge clams,
American plaice and yellowtail flounder). The Lilly Canyon and Carson Canyon (Icelandic scallops), and
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Northeast Shelf and Slope (Greenland halibut and spotted wolffish) EBSAs both contain high
concentrations of fish and shellfish species. Similarly, the Virgin Rocks EBSA has aggregations of
capelin and many groundfish such as Atlantic cod, American plaice and yellowtail flounder. The Virgin
Rocks area also provides important and somewhat rare offshore habitat for macroalgae.
There are also additional important and/or sensitive areas and habitats in locations that are adjacent to
the SEA Study Area, including sensitive coastal areas (e.g. Eastport Marine Protected Area, eelgrass
fish nurseries and estuaries for diadromous fish) and other EBSAs.
Plankton comprise the largest group of organisms in the ocean, both in terms of diversity and biomass.
They play an important role in the marine environment in that they serve as the base layers of most
food webs (primary and secondary production). While their distribution is widespread, the most
productive areas typically occur in the waters on the shelf and the shelf break (Templeman 2007). In
particular, the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA (Templeman 2007) and the Frontal
Extrusion Zone (LGL Limited 2003) have elevated primary productivity levels as compared to other
parts of the Northwest Atlantic. Phytoplankton blooms are at their height in the spring. Similar to the
phytoplankton on which they feed, zooplankton such as copepods and euphasiids have highest
densities in slope regions and typically peak in abundance shortly after the phytoplankton.
Benthic organisms are plants and animals that live on or in the seafloor, and include several important
commercial species such as snow crab and shrimp. These economically valuable species are most
prevalent in the colder, more northern sectors of the SEA Study Area on the shelf edge, although other
species such as wedge clams and blue mussels are found in their highest densities on the Tail of the
Grand Banks (including in the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks EBSA), near the southernmost
extreme of the SEA Study Area.
Several types of deep sea corals are present, and have been identified as being particularly sensitive to
disturbance as they are relatively slow growing, long-lived and easily damaged mechanically or through
increased turbidity and declining water quality. Coral areas have been identified and delineated by DFO
and NAFO. Protection zones generally occur on the slopes of the Flemish Cap, while other seamount,
coral and sponge protection zones occur at Orphan Knoll and the southeast slope of the Grand Banks.
Additional high density sponge and coral areas have been designated along the slopes of the
continental shelf in the Orphan Basin. Macroalgae (such as kelp) have a very limited distribution in the
SEA Study Area due to the general absence of suitable habitat, but there are restricted areas such as
Virgin Rocks where they flourish.
A wide variety of marine finfish species occur throughout the SEA Study Area, occupying different
habitats at different times throughout the year. Many migrating species (e.g. Atlantic cod) move inshore
during summer and retreat to waters at the edge of the continental shelf in the winter. Other pelagics
move seasonally into the SEA Study Area from more southerly latitudes during summer. Some of the
species that use this region have habitat restrictions that limit them to a small portion of the area. For
example, the single nursery area for the entire yellowtail flounder stock is found in the Southeast Shoal
and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA. Similarly, various other temperate species (e.g. white hake and
witch flounder) occur primarily in the relatively warm waters of the Tail of the Grand Banks.
An analysis of recent fish survey (RV) data indicates that certain areas appear to have high values for
fish in terms of abundance, biomass and species richness. Research vessel catches (including
invertebrates) were greatest at the edge of the continental shelf near the Flemish Pass and the
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Strategic Environmental Assessment
northern portions of the Orphan Basin for both abundance and biomass. Additional “hotspots” of
biomass (but not numerical abundance), occurred at the Tail of the Grand Banks. For species richness,
elevated values were found along the continental slopes, particularly in the Flemish Pass and along
Orphan Basin. The Bonavista Corridor area was also found to have relatively high taxonomic richness
through the above described analysis.
The Bonavista Cod Box has also been recognized as a key area for fish (LGL Limited 2003), and is an
important migratory pathway for Atlantic cod. Other areas are also of known importance as nurseries
and spawning grounds, such as the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks. Although spawning
activities and periods vary considerably between species, spring appears to be a key spawning time for
many species that use the SEA Study Area.
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
5.2
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Marine Birds (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)
A number of bird species occur in the SEA Study Area and adjacent marine and coastal environments,
including seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other avifauna that inhabit the region at specific or
extended periods for nesting, breeding, feeding, migration and other activities. Several important areas
and habitats have also been identified at locations along the coastline of Eastern Newfoundland and
elsewhere.
5.2.1
Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects
The key potential environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine birds
include the following:

The attraction of night-flying birds to oil and gas exploration or production installations and
vessels (offshore or on-shore), including their lights, flares or other emissions, resulting in
possible injury or mortality (strikes, incineration, disorientation, energy expenditure);

Bird attraction or disturbance resulting from other activities and equipment associated with oil
and gas activities (such as drill rigs) and possible injury or mortality;

Disturbance to birds and their activities as a result of vessel, aircraft and/or vehicular
movements, as well as through the presence of offshore and/or on-shore structures and
activities and their associated disturbances (lights, noise);

Possible injury of birds as a result of exposure to noise within the water column during seismic
exploration activities (particularly diving birds) or other resulting disruptions to and changes in
their feeding and other behaviours;

Changes in the availability, distribution and/or quality of feed sources or habitats for marine
birds; and

Changes in the presence, abundance, distribution and/or health of marine birds (individuals and
populations) as a result of exposure to accidental oil spills from installations or vessels, which
may affect individuals (physical exposure, ingestion) and important habitats.
Table 5.3 provides a summary overview of the key potential environmental interactions between marine
birds and various types of oil and gas activities, as well as some examples of existing information and
knowledge from the literature and other sources on each of these potential effects. Again, more
detailed reviews of such information are available in other sources.
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Table 5.3
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Marine Birds (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Potential Environmental Interactions
Components /
Potential Environmental
Activities
Interactions
SEISMIC SURVEYS
 Possible effects to
Air Gun
some diving bird
Operations
species (injury, other
disturbance)
Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available
Information Sources

There is relatively little research that has investigated the effects of seismic activity on marine
birds. A number of past studies found no evidence of negative effects on various bird species
resulting from seismic sound sources (Turnpenny and Nedwell 1994; Lacroix et al 2003).
 Previous research has also indicated no evidence that seabirds were attracted to or repelled by
seismic activity (Evans et al 1993).
 Attraction and
 The possible effects of marine vessel traffic on marine birds include: behavioural changes that
Vessel Traffic
disturbance (e.g.,
may have energetic consequences (Schummer and Eddleman 2003), and a loss of suitable
possible stranding and
habitat as vessel traffic can reduce bird use of vessel disturbed areas (Bramford et al 1990).
exposure to oil or other  Cumulative effects of chronic small scale oil discharge from seagoing vessels results in
substances)
important mortality of seabirds in Newfoundland and Labrador (Wiese and Roberston 2004).
EXPLORATION / DELINEATION DRILLING AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
 Disturbance
 Possible disturbance effects of aircraft overflights on birds include: temporary loss of useable
Aircraft Traffic
habitat, increased energy expenditure of birds due to escape reactions, lower food intake due
to interruptions and other interactions (Ellis et al 1991; Komenda-Zehnder et al 2003).
 Attraction and
 Although there is a known association of birds with oil platforms (Baird 1990; Wiesse and
Presence of
disturbance /
Montevecchi 2000), the nature, degree, timing and extent of any associated mortality is
Structures,
disorientation, potential
generally unknown (Montevecchi et al 1999).
Drilling, Lights,
injury or mortality
 Birds that are attracted to oil and gas installations may experience mortality due to direct
Noise, Other
(marine, coastal and
collisions with equipment and infrastructure or by coming into contact with flares or other
Activities and
terrestrial avifauna)
components, particularly at night and/or during periods of fog or other times of reduced visibility
Disturbances
(Gauthreaux and Beleser 2006; Montevecchi 2006)..

 Other health effects may also occur due to altered behaviours (disorientation), which can lead
to energy consumption, delayed foraging or migration, increased susceptibility to predation,
and others (Wiesse et al 2001; Jones and Francis 2003).
 Bird health / mortality
 Operational discharges such as sheens of crude oil and other substances may alter the feather
Routine
issues
weight and microstructure of pelagic seabirds (O’Hara and Morandin 2010).
Discharges
 Any effects to the fish species upon which avifauna depend may also indirectly affect birds
(sewage, deck
 Effects on prey species
(see Table 5.1).
drainage, bilge /  Habitat loss or
cooling water,
alteration
wash fluids,
produced water,
other waste)
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Components /
Activities
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Potential Environmental
Interactions
Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available
Information Sources
Drill Muds and
Cuttings
Other Seabed
and Coastal
Disturbances
(excavations,
equipment
installation)
Atmospheric
Emissions
(exhaust, gas
venting, flaring)
Well
Abandonment
Accidental Spills
of Oil or other
Substances
 Effects of blasting (if
required)
 Possible effects on
prey species
 Bird mortality and
health effects
 Habitat quality and
availability
 Possible effects on
prey species






Marine birds are amongst the biota most at risk from oil spills and blowouts, as they spend
much of their time upon the surface of the ocean (LGL Limited 2005; Barron 2012; Boertmann
and Mosbech 2012). In the event of a spill, and depending upon project and area specific
factors, coastal birds may also be at risk on beaches and in intertidal zones.
An accidental release of hydrocarbons can result in the direct physical exposure of birds to oil
within the affected area.
Birds at greatest risk are those that spend a considerable time resting or foraging on the water
surface (Wiese and Roberston 2004; Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
The possible physical effects oil exposure on birds include changes in thermoregulatory
capability (hypothermia) and buoyancy (drowning) due to feather matting (Clark 1984; Hartung
1995; Montevecchi et al 1999), as well as oil ingestion from excessive preening (Hartung
1995).
Ingested oil can cause lethal and sublethal effects (McEwan and Whitehead 1980); including
damage to the liver (Khan and Ryan 1991), pneumonia (Hartung and Hunt 1966), brain
damage (Lawler et al 1978), immunotoxic effects (Barron 2012) and starvation due to
increased energy needs to compensate for heat loss resulting from oiling and loss of insulation
(Peakall et al 1980; 1982; MMS 2001).
The likely effects of oil exposure on birds varies between species, as well as with different
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Components /
Activities
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Potential Environmental
Interactions





Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available
Information Sources
types of oil (Gorsline et al 1981), weather conditions, times of year, migratory patterns and
other activities (Wiese et al 2001; Montevecchi et al 2012).
Birds that feed on organisms from high risk areas (e.g. benthos) are also at heightened risk of
contamination (Engelhardt 1983).
There is apparently no direct relationship between the volume of oil spilled and bird mortality,
but rather it is primarily the timing and location of a spill that influences mortality rates (Weisse
et al 2001).
Nesting seabirds that survive oil exposure often exhibit decreased reproductive success (LGL
2005), although oiled birds treated quickly have reduced risk (Barham et al 2007).
Effects of oiled areas may be transferred away from the affected site due to the migratory
nature of some avifauna (Henkel et al 2012).
The long-lived nature of many bird species also suggests that oil-related reductions in
population growth can have longer term population effects (Wiese and Roberston 2004).
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5.2.2
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Environmental Mitigation Measures
Some of the standard mitigation measures that are often implemented in relation to offshore oil and gas
activities to help avoid or reduce potential environmental effects on marine birds include those listed in
the Table below.
Table 5.4
Marine Birds (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of
Standard Environmental Mitigation Measures
Mitigation










The avoidance of known and observed bird colonies
and significant aggregations of avifauna where possible
in the planning and conduct of oil and gas activities, as
well as identified critical habitats and protected or
sensitive areas and times
Minimizing the amount (and adjusting the duration and
frequency) of lighting used (while maintaining a safe
work environment), particularly when migratory birds
are especially vulnerable to disturbance and associated
effects (e.g., during spring and fall migration, inclement
weather)
Programs and protocols for the collection and release
of marine birds that become stranded on offshore
installations, including associated regulatory guidance
and permit requirements (e.g., The Canadian Wildlife
Service’s Oiled Birds Protocol and Protocol for
Collecting Dead Birds From Platforms, as well as The
Leach’s Storm Petrel: General Information and
Handling Instructions, by Williams and Chardine n.d..)
Avoiding or minimizing flaring, and the use of high
efficiency burners
Minimizing the amount of associated vessel and aircraft
traffic, and the use of existing and common travel
routes where possible
Avoidance of low-level aircraft operations wherever
possible and feasible
Minimizing environmental discharges and emissions
from planned operations and activities, including
compliance with relevant regulations and standards
The installation and use of oil water separators to treat
contained deck drainage, with collected oil stored and
disposed of properly
Treatment of operational discharges prior to release in
compliance with the Offshore Waste Treatment
Guidelines and other applicable regulations and
standards
All foreign vessels operating in Canadian jurisdiction
must comply with the Ballast Water Control and
Management Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act
Geophysical
Surveys
Applicability
Exploration and
Production
Drilling
Oil and
Gas
Production
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
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Mitigation
Geophysical
Surveys


during ballasting and de-ballasting activities
Selection and screening of chemicals under the
Offshore Chemical Selection Guidelines for Drilling and
Production Activities on Frontier Lands
Spill prevention plans and procedures, with associated
and effective spill preparedness and response plans in
place
●
Applicability
Exploration and
Production
Drilling
Oil and
Gas
Production
●
●
●
●
Additional environmental protection measures may also be required for particular projects, depending
on their specific characteristics, location, timing and possible environmental effects. Mitigation
measures are therefore determined on a project-specific basis, through the individual regulatory
reviews of proposed seismic surveys or drilling programs in the NL Offshore Area. The regulatory
review of proposed drilling programs also typically include an analysis of possible oil spill types and
probabilities, as well as detailed modelling of the likely fate and behaviour of hypothetical oil spills
based on project and site specific factors such as hydrocarbon types and properties, water depths and
characteristics, currents and other oceanographic conditions. Environmental compliance monitoring
(including reporting on waste discharges, emissions, and treatment systems) is also required to verify
adherence to applicable legislation and any conditions of regulatory approval. In the unlikely event of a
spill or blowout, an operational oil spill contingency plan would be activated. A post-spill environmental
effects monitoring (EEM) program may be a specific component of any such response plan.
5.2.3
Environmental Planning Considerations
Marine Birds are present in the SEA Study Area throughout the year, with many species moving in and
out of the area at different times according to their particular characteristics, habitat preferences and
seasonal activities. Existing and available information on the presence and geographic and seasonal
occurrence of birds in and near the region is presented in Section 4.2.2
5.2.3.1 Marine Bird Species at Risk
Several marine bird and landbird species that are currently designated as being at risk (and which are
therefore protected) under SARA and/or the NL ESA or have been assessed by COSEWIC as being of
conservation concern are known or likely to occur in the SEA Study Area for at least part of the year.
Available information on the likely presence and known spatial and temporal distribution of these
species was provided in Section 4.2.2, and is summarized below.
One seabird species at risk has potential to occur in the SEA Study Area. The Ivory Gull (SARA and NL
ESA: endangered) winters offshore in small numbers in the waters off Eastern Newfoundland. They are
found most often among the pack ice, and are more rarely seen on the coast of the Northern Peninsula
and onshore (Stenhouse 2004; NL DEC 2013).
Two waterfowl species at risk may also occur in the SEA Study Area. The Harlequin Duck (eastern
population SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) breeds in fast-flowing streams, and may nest
in the Bay du Nord River. In winter, they are found along rocky coastlines, subtidal ledges and exposed
headlands (NL DEC 2013), including the waters off Cape St. Mary’s. A small number of non-breeding
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individuals may be found here year round (Environment Canada 2007). The Barrow’s Goldeneye
(SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) moults and overwinters in small numbers, often in groups
with Common Goldeneye, off the coast of Eastern Newfoundland at Port Blandford and Newman
Sound in Terra Nova National Park, as well as Traytown Bay, St. Mary’s Bay, and Spaniard’s Bay
(Schmelzer 2006).These birds are known to congregate in relatively small geographic areas in
important shipping corridors, and therefore the population is considered to be particularly susceptible to
being affected by oil spills and the bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants (NL DEC 2013).
Three shorebird species at risk may be found in coastal habitats in Eastern Newfoundland during fall
migration. The Red Knot (rufa subspecies; SARA and NL ESA: endangered) is found on open sandy
inlets, coastal mudflats, sand flats, salt marshes, sandy estuaries and areas with rotting kelp deposits
during fall migration, from mid-August through late September (Garland and Thomas 2009; NL DEC
2013). Although more commonly observed on the southwest coast of Newfoundland (Garland and
Thomas 2009), they are occasionally seen at Cape Freels (Environment Canada 2009). The Buffbreasted Sandpiper (COSEWIC: special concern) is occasionally observed during fall migration near
the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula at St. Shott’s Sod Farm and at Cape Bonavista
(Environment Canada 2009), and is considered to be a rare fall migrant in the province (COSEWIC
2012c). Piping Plover (SARA and NL ESA: endangered) has currently been reported as breeding in
Eastern Newfoundland at Deadman’s Bay Provincial Park near the northwest head of Bonavista Bay.
Piping Plovers nest on sandy shorelines above the high water mark, and are present at the breeding
grounds from April to September (Boyne and Amirault 1999).
Four landbird species at risk also potentially occur in coastal habitats in Eastern Newfoundland or
offshore during migration. The Peregrine Falcon (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) migrates
along the coast of Newfoundland, preying on concentrations of migrating shorebirds (Parks Canada
2012). In Eastern Newfoundland, Peregrine Falcon sightings have been reported in the fall months on
the Bonavista Peninsula and at all times of year on the Avalon Peninsula but most frequently during the
fall (e-Bird 2013). The Short-eared Owl (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable) occurs in low
numbers on the coast of Newfoundland, where it typically nests in coastal barrens and grasslands.
Suitable habitat occurs in much of coastal Southeastern Newfoundland, and sightings of this species
have been reported throughout the eastern portion of the Island from Wadham Islands to the Avalon
Peninsula, mainly in June and July (Schmelzer 2005; e-Bird 2013). Gray-cheeked Thrush (NL ESA:
vulnerable) occurs in dense coniferous forest, and is most common on the Northern Peninsula and
along the northeast coast, as well as the northern Avalon Peninsula. It has been observed in Placentia
Bay (Endangered Species and Biodiversity Section 2010) and is reportedly breeding in Terra Nova
National Park (IBA 2013). The Olive-sided Flycatcher (SARA and NL ESA: threatened) is found in
boreal forest habitat in the summer, particularly open areas such as wetlands with tall trees and snags
(Altman and Sallabanks 2012). It has been reported at several locations on the Avalon Peninsula, as
well as at Terra Nova National Park (e-Bird 2013).
The Bank Swallow (COSEWIC: threatened) nests in burrows such as those created by coastal erosion;
as such, it may be located in close proximity to the marine environment during breeding season. Within
the province, Bank Swallows nest primarily in Southwestern Newfoundland (Warkentin and Newton
2009); however, sightings have been reported in Eastern Newfoundland (e-Bird 2013). The Bobolink
(COSEWIC: threatened) nests in grasslands, and migrates to its wintering grounds in South America in
the fall. Breeding has been reported in Western Newfoundland at Codroy Valley IBA (IBA 2013), and
there have been sightings in Eastern Newfoundland on the Avalon Peninsula and Terra Nova National
Park in the summer months (e-Bird 2013).
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Three additional species at risk may migrate over the offshore area, but as diurnal migrants they are
considered less susceptible to disorientation from artificial marine lights and flares: Rusty Blackbird
(SARA: special concern and NL ESA: vulnerable; Baird and Nisbet 1960), Chimney Swift (SARA and
NL ESA: threatened; Cink and Collins 2002) and Barn Swallow (COSEWIC: threatened; Brown and
Bomberger Brown 1999).
5.2.3.2 Important Areas and Times for Marine Birds
During the summer breeding season, the greatest abundance of seabirds is concentrated around
nesting colonies. However, the Grand Banks support large numbers of feeding seabirds throughout the
year (Fifield et al 2009b). Winter is a particularly sensitive time for alcids (auks), as they spend most of
their time on the water’s surface and are in fact flightless for several weeks during their winter moulting
period (Gaston and Hipfner 2000). Seabirds are relatively long-lived, and in many species, individuals
do not breed until four or five years of age. Large groups of non-breeding immature birds tend to
congregate in waters close to the breeding grounds and offshore. In addition to resident breeders,
Southern Hemisphere seabirds such as Great Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, and Wilson’s StormPetrel spend their winter in waters of the Northern Hemisphere, although only a small proportion of
these populations occur in the SEA Study Area.
During the fall staging period (and even more so in the winter), sea ducks such as eiders, scoters and
Long-tailed Ducks can be found in large numbers in coastal waters. Particularly high concentrations
occur between Cape Freels and Wadham Islands, and other major congregations of sea ducks
numbering in the thousands are found at Grates Point, Cape St. Francis, Mistaken Point, Cape St.
Mary’s and Placentia Bay. The endangered Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye are often found in
coastal waters outside of the breeding season, particularly at Cape St. Mary’s and near Terra Nova,
Traytown Bay, St. Mary’s Bay and Spaniard’s Bay.
Many species of shorebirds, including the endangered Red Knot and COSEWIC-listed Buff-breasted
Sandpiper, utilize a variety of coastal habitats including sandy mudflats, saltmarshes and river outlets in
Eastern Newfoundland during their southward migration, along with various high tide roost sites. Peak
abundance typically occurs in July to October. Important migration stopover locations are found along
the eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula (Witless Bay, Renews, Long Beach, St. Shotts, Spaniard’s
Bay, Bellevue Beach) as well as Cape Freels and Cape Bonavista (Environment Canada 2009).
During the winter months, Purple Sandpipers and a small number of Ruddy Turnstones feed on rocky
shorelines and offshore ledges and islands, notably at the Mistaken Point and Cape St. Francis IBAs.
For migrating landbirds (particularly passerines, which tend to be nocturnal migrants), the spring and
fall months are most important. These species are particularly vulnerable to disorientation from artificial
light sources, and may be fatally attracted to flares.
Bright lights such as those on offshore rigs or vessels and from flares can attract night-migrating birds
and night-flying seabirds (e.g. storm-petrels) and possibly result in injuries or death to migratory birds.
Particularly sensitive times for potential effects on migratory birds include the spring (April 1st to June
1st) and fall (July 15th to October 30th) migration periods, as well as during specific meteorological
conditions such as fog or inclement weather.
Perhaps the most important possible effects of offshore oil and gas activities on marine birds are
associated with potential accidental oil spills, and the incidental discharge of waste oil and bilge water
from vessels (so-called chronic oil pollution; Weise and Ryan 2003). The actual effects of any such oil
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Strategic Environmental Assessment
spill or release would be dependent on factors such as the time of year, sea conditions, the volume and
type of material spilled, and type of spill (i.e., surface or sub-surface). Direct effects would occur if birds
are in the immediate area and come into contact with the spill and its zone of influence. As described in
Section 4.2.2, the particular species present in the region varies considerably according to season. The
effects of an accidental oil spill on pelagic birds could be considerable within the zone of influence of a
spill, however, and these species are likely most vulnerable to oil spills as they spend considerable time
on the surface of the water. These species occur in the area primarily in the winter period, when low
temperatures may also slow down degradation or weathering of spilled oil and/or when oil spill
response procedures would likely be most challenging. Appropriate oil spill prevention proper bilge and
waste oil handling practices, preparedness and response plans by individual operators are therefore
required, to help ensure that the likelihood, and likely effects, of any such accidental events are
minimized.
Potential environmental effects may therefore be addressed through project-specific planning and
associated regulatory processes, to seek to avoid sensitive areas and times and through the
identification and implementation of project and activity-specific environmental protection (mitigation)
and emergency response measures. Oil and gas operators can also contact the Canadian Wildlife
Service to obtain and use any additional, up-to-date data on marine birds that may have become
available since the publication of the SEA.
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5.3
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)
A number of marine mammal and reptile species are known to or may occur within the SEA Study Area
and in adjacent marine and coastal regions. These include various mysticetes (baleen whales),
odontocetes (toothed whales and porpoises) and pinnipeds (seals) as well as several sea turtles.
These animals vary considerably in their likelihood of presence and occurrence (from common, to very
rare, to possible but unlikely), as well as the particular areas and habitat types that they utilize and the
times at which they occur in or pass through the region. Given the relatively rarity of many of these
species, and because several are protected under species at risk legislation in Canada and elsewhere,
the presence and distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles in and near the area is also an
important consideration in future planning and decision-making regarding potential future offshore oil
and gas activities in the region.
5.3.1
Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects
The main potential environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine
mammals and sea turtles relate primarily to the underwater noises that are associated with seismic
surveys, exploration drilling and production activities, and include the following:

The avoidance of certain areas that would otherwise be used by the individuals affected, with
these behavioural changes altering the presence, abundance and overall distribution of marine
mammals and sea turtles and their movements, feeding and other activity. This is of key
concern if any such areas are especially important / rare habitats and are disturbed repeatedly;

The possible attraction of individuals to offshore installations and vessels (seismic and supply),
resulting in increased potential for injury or mortality through collisions, contamination or other
interactions;

Interference with (and the masking of) sounds in the marine environment that originate from
and/or are used by marine mammals, such as in communication, the identification and detection
of prey, reproduction, echolocation and other activities and requirements;

Temporary hearing impairment or permanent injury or mortality from very loud and
instantaneous sounds, such as which may be experienced in close proximity to a seismic
airgun;

Potential changes in the availability, distribution or quality of feed sources and/or habitats for
marine mammals and sea turtles as a result of oil and gas activities and their planned and
routine environmental emissions (including seismic, drilling or other activities); and

Changes in the presence, abundance, distribution and/or health (injury or mortality) of marine
mammals and sea turtles as a result of accidental oil spills from oil and gas installations or
vessels (through physical exposure, ingestion, effects on prey and habitats, etc).
Table 5.5 provides a summary overview of some potential environmental interactions between marine
mammals and sea turtles and various types of offshore oil and gas activities and components, as well
as referencing some examples of existing information and knowledge that is provided through the
available literature.
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Table 5.5
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (including Species at Risk and Other Key Species): Summary of Potential
Environmental Interactions
Components /
Potential Environmental
Activities
Interactions
SEISMIC SURVEYS
 Injury or mortality
Air Gun
Operations
 Behavioural effects, including
possible avoidance or
attraction
 Interference with vocal
communication and other
underwater sounds and their
uses
Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available
Information Sources








Of the various activities that may be associated with oil and gas exploration and
development, seismic surveys are often considered to have the highest potential for effects
on marine mammals and sea turtles.
Possible effects on this VEC resulting from sound in the marine environment may be physical
(injury or mortality) or behavioural (avoidance, other changes in distribution or activities) in
nature.
Temporary threshold shift (TTS) is hearing deterioration due to prolonged or repeated
exposure to high levels of noise and can last from minutes or hours to days, depending upon
such factors as the receptor involved and the level and duration of noise exposure
(Richardson et al 1995; Davis et al 1998). Permanent hearing impairment may also occur in
some instances (Nowacek et al 2007).
Although a relatively limited number of studies have investigated this issue (e.g., Finneran et
al 2000, 2002, 2010; Southall et al 2007; Lucke et al 2009; Gedamke et al 2011), specific
TSS thresholds for marine mammals and sea turtles are not currently known, including both
the sound levels required to cause such injury as well as the distances at which these may
be produced for particular air gun noise levels and oceanographic conditions.
Studies of the potential distances within which TSS may occur in marine mammals during
seismic surveys have cited distances from less than 100 m from the sound source (Ridgway
et al 1997), to several hundred meters (as described in LGL Limited 2005) to 1 km or more
(Gedamke et al 2011). Strong acousting convergence zones also exist well beyond (> 10
kms) these limits (Madsen et al 2006).
Potential non-injury related effects from seismic activity are behavioural in nature, and would
occur when animals are disturbed or confused by seismic noise, or where the sounds which
animals used are interfered with (communications, prey, etc). Indirect effects may also arise
from the displacement of prey.
The observed behavioural effects of anthropogenic noise sources on marine mammals
include: changes in vocalizations (Parks et al 2007; Holt et al 2009; Miller et al 2000, 2009;
Di Iorio and Clark 2010; Risch et al 2012); changes in respiration, swim speed, diving, and
foraging behaviour (Stone and Tasker 2006); displacement and avoidance (Castellote et al
2012, Weir 2008); shifts in migration paths, stress and immune depression (Romano et al
2004; Rao et al 2012) and strandings (Gentry 2000; Malakoff 2002; Weilgart 2007).
Responses to seismic activity are known to be highly variable between species, age classes,
behavioural states and environmental conditions (Weilgart 2007; Miller et al 2009), and
generalizations about marine mammal behavioural reactions are difficult to make as they can
vary greatly depending on various factors (Wood et al 2012). For example, some cetaceans
actually take advantage of seismic surveys for foraging (e.g. bottlenose dolphins; Barry et al
2012).
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Components /
Activities
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Potential Environmental
Interactions








 Injury or mortality (collision)

 Behavioural effects, including
possible avoidance or
attraction

Vessel Traffic
 Interference with vocal
communication and other
underwater sounds and their
uses


Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available
Information Sources
Whales have often been shown to avoid operating airguns, but avoidance radii are quite
variable (as reviewed by LGL Limited 2005). Some recent studies have, however, shown
avoidance or other disturbances (e.g., decreased vocalizations) occurring in relation to lower
noise levels, and/or at greater distances and times that those previously reported, in some
cases up to several hundred kilometres and well after the survey was completed (Nieukirk et
al 2004, 2012; Risch et al 2012; Castellote et al 2012).
Wood et al (2012) for example, describe relatively high levels of behavioural reactions to
seismic noise at relatively low intensity (e.g., 120−140 dB re: 1 µPa rms).
In contrast some species (e.g. minke whales) have been observed in close proximity (< 100
m) to operating seismic arrays (Boertmann and Mosbech 2012).
Acoustic damage zones are much larger for low frequency cetaceans compared to high
frequency cetaceans (Laws 2012). However, damage zones for even the most sensitive
cetaceans are usually much smaller than the typical mandatory exclusion zones (Laws
2012).
The overall reduction and degradation of marine acoustic habitat as a result of anthropogenic
noise in the marine environment has also been raised as a concern, particularly for lowfrequency specialists such as baleen whales (Clark et al 2009).
Of particular concern is the potential for marine mammals disturbance associated with
seismic surveys to interfere with species at risk and other rare species and small
populations, particularly any associated disruption of animal movements, communication or
other activities during key periods such as reproduction which may affect population recovery
(Croll et al 2002; Beauchamp et al 2009).
Pinnipeds (seals) have been observed to exhibit reactions to seismic surveys and other
anthropogenic noise, although any such disturbance is typically localized and short-term if it
occurs at all (Richardson et al 1995).
Studies have also shown that sea turtles may show a strong initial avoidance response to airgun operations (O'Hara and Wilcox 1990; McCauley et al 2000a) and temporary hearing loss
has also been reported in some instances (Moein et al 1994).
Shipping is likely the main source of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment (Wright
et al 2007), and masking has been identified as the primary auditory effect of vessel noise on
marine animals (Southall 2005).
The reactions of cetaceans to ships may be avoidance, approach, or indifference
(Richardson et al 1995), as well as other behavioural effects such as changes in
vocalizations (Clark et al 2009).
Although cetacean species are susceptible to mortality or injury from vessel collisions
(Williams and O’Hara 2010), they can often habituate to ships following a consistent course
or which are frequently present in the area (Richardson et al 1995).
Vessel traffic and associated low frequency noise can be a source of chronic stress for
marine mammal populations (Rolland et al 2012; Rao et al 2012).
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Components /
Potential Environmental
Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available
Activities
Interactions
Information Sources
EXPLORATION / DELINEATION DRILLING AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
 Injury or mortality (collision)
 See above for vessel traffic
Vessel Traffic
 Marine mammal reactions to aircraft are variable due to differences in aircraft type, altitude,
 Behavioural effects, including
and flight pattern (e.g., straight-line overflight, circling, or hovering).
possible avoidance or
 Possible responses include: diving immediately, changing movement patterns, leaving the
attraction
area or no change at all (Richardson et al 1995).
 Possible avoidance or
Aircraft Traffic
attraction (behavioural effects)
Presence of
Structures,
Drilling, Lights,
Noise, Other
Activities and
Disturbances
Routine
Discharges
(sewage, deck
drainage, bilge /
cooling water,
wash fluids,
produced water,
other waste)
Drill Muds and
Cuttings
Other Seabed
and Coastal
Disturbances
(excavations,
equipment
installation)
 Possible avoidance or
attraction (behavioural effects)

 Interference with vocal
communication and other
underwater sounds and their
uses

 Possible effects on marine
mammal and sea turtle health
(contamination of individuals,
habitats)


Marine mammals have been observed to both move away from and toward offshore drill rigs,
and this has been found to vary between different species and types of drilling installations
(Richardson et al 1995; LGL Limited et al 2000).
These changes may range from tens of meters to several kilometres, but is considered highly
reversible with animals expected to return to an area once the noise source is removed
(Davis et al 1998).
Continuous noise, associated with drilling rigs and ships propellers, has been shown to be a
masking agent for white whales and killer whales (Foote et al 2004; Scheifele et al 2005).
One study has also documented behavioural influences of low flying aircraft on bowhead
whales (Patenaude et al 2002).
 Effects on food sources
 Possible effects on marine
mammal and sea turtle health
(contamination of individuals,
habitats)
 Effects on habitats and food
sources
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Components /
Activities
Atmospheric
Emissions
(exhaust, gas
venting, flaring)
Well
Abandonment
Accidental Spills
of Oil or other
Substances
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Potential Environmental
Interactions
 Possible effects on marine
mammal and sea turtle health
(contamination of individuals,
habitats)
 Effects on food sources
 Possible avoidance or
attraction
 Injury or mortality
 Possible effects on marine
mammal and sea turtle health
(contamination of individuals,
habitats)
 Effects on food sources
Summary of Some Known and Potential Environmental Effects Based on Available
Information Sources

The detonation of explosives may be lethal to marine mammals, may cause auditory damage
under certain conditions, and has also been demonstrated to induce changes in behaviour
(Ketten 1995; Wright and Hopky 1998; Morton and Symonds 2002).

Oil spills may affect marine mammals and sea turtles through direct exposure and associated
health effects, as well as by changing the availability and quality of their food sources and
habitats.
Marine mammals and sea turtles will likely avoid or move out of areas affect by oil spills, and
have been observed to detect and thus avoid spills (Matkin et al 1994; Smultea and Würsig
1995; Ackleh et al 2012).
When marine mammals have come into contact with oil, effects on their skin appear to be
minor and of little relevance to the animal’s overall health (Geraci 1990). Additionally,
ingestion and inhalation of oil have been found to involve only trace amounts (Bence and
Burns 1995).
Exposure to oil through ingestion or dermal contact is considered to be harmful and possibly
fatal to sea turtles (Howard 2012).
Although some studies indicate that no clear evidence exists to link oil spills with mortality of
cetaceans (Geraci 1990, Dahlheim and Matkin 1994), others report that the long-term effects
of oil exposure include an inability for marine mammals to rebound to pre-spill numbers
(Matkin et al 2008; Monson et al 2011).
It has been estimated, for example, that more than 5,000 individuals died as a result of the
Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico (Gero et al 2011).
While typically not monitored, it is expected that immunotoxic effects occur in vertebrates,
including mammals, that that are exposed to oil (Barron 2012).






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5.3.2
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Environmental Mitigation Measures
An overview of some of the typical mitigation measures that are often required and/or otherwise
implemented during offshore oil and gas activities to help avoid or reduce adverse environmental
effects on marine mammals and sea turtles is given below.
As described in Section 5.1, the C-NLOPB’s Geophysical, Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical
Program Guidelines (C-NLOPB 2012) include various requirements and other measures related to
environmental planning, mitigation, monitoring and reporting which are intended to help avoid or reduce
the potential effects of seismic noise in the marine environment, as well as interactions with other
ocean users and marine mammal and bird monitoring and reporting.
These Guidelines include the Statement of Canadian Practice with Respect to the Mitigation of Seismic
Sound in the Marine Environment (DFO 2007b), which set out a series of mitigation requirements
related to these activities, including measures related to the: planning of seismic surveys; establishment
and monitoring of a safety zone; prescribed marine mammal observation and detection measures;
prescribed start-up procedures; and prescribed shut-down requirements.
These and other standard mitigation measures which are often applied to offshore oil and gas activities
in the NL Offshore Area to help avoid or reduce effects on marine mammals and sea turtles include
those listed in the Table below:
Table 5.6
Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (including Species at Risk and Other Key
Species): Summary of Standard Environmental Mitigation Measures
Mitigation





Avoidance of known and observed marine mammal
concentrations where possible in the planning and
conduct of offshore oil and gas activities
Reduction of airgun source levels in the design and
implementation of offshore seismic programs to the
minimum level practical for the survey, including the
amount and frequency of energy used and its likely
horizontal propagation
Establishment of a safety zone around the seismic air
source array (with a radius of at least 500 m), which is
monitored by a qualified Marine Mammal Observer (or
through Passive Acoustic Monitoring in low visibility
conditions)
and
specific
protocols
regarding
observation requirements and times and shut-down as
required
The use of a gradual “ramp-up” procedure over a
minimum 20 minute period to allow mobile marine
animals to move away from the area if they are
disturbed by the underwater sound levels associated
with a seismic survey
Shut-down of the seismic sound source(s) during line
changes and maintenance activities with associated
Geophysical
Surveys
Applicability
Exploration and
Production
Drilling
Oil and
Gas
Production
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
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Mitigation













monitoring and ramp up provisions
Minimizing the amount of associated vessel and aircraft
traffic and the use of existing and common travel routes
where possible
Avoidance of low-level aircraft operations wherever
possible and feasible
Minimizing environmental discharges and emissions
from planned operations and activities, including
compliance with relevant regulations and standards
The installation and use of oil water separators to treat
contained deck drainage, with collected oil stored and
disposed of properly
Selection of non-toxic drilling fluids, including the use of
water-based muds wherever possible and technically
feasible
Treatment of operational discharges prior to release in
compliance with the Offshore Waste Treatment
Guidelines and other applicable regulations and
standards
All foreign vessels operating in Canadian jurisdiction
must comply with the Ballast Water Control and
Management Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act
during ballasting and de-ballasting activities
Appropriate handling, storage, transportation and onshore disposal of solid and hazardous wastes
Water contaminated with hydrocarbons generated
during flow testing (within certain tolerances), can be
atomized in the flare (using high efficiency burners) or
shipped on-shore for disposal
Selection and screening of chemicals under the
Offshore Chemical Selection Guidelines for Drilling and
Production Activities on Frontier Lands
The use of mechanical procedures during well
completion and abandonment activities where possible,
including the design of well and casings to facilitate this
Should blasting be required (such as in well
abandonment), appropriate scheduling of these
activities, as well as marine mammal surveillance and
the delay of detonation until observed marine mammals
are away from the area. Setting of charges below the
sediment surface, minimizing amount of explosives
used , the use of high velocity explosives, and
staggering of individual blasts;
Spill prevention plans and procedures, with associated
and effective spill preparedness and response plans in
place.
Geophysical
Surveys
Applicability
Exploration and
Production
Drilling
Oil and
Gas
Production
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
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The above list includes some examples of typical environmental protection measures which may be
implemented to avoid or reduce adverse effects on this VEC, as well as referencing a number of
relevant compliance standards which may apply to such activities.
Required environmental protection measures are determined on a project-specific basis, through the
individual regulatory reviews of proposed seismic surveys or exploration drilling programs or production
projects in the NL Offshore Area. These regulatory reviews often include a requirement for projectspecific analysis of possible spill types and probabilities and detailed modelling of the likely fate and
behaviour of hypothetical oil spills based on project and site specific factors. Environmental compliance
monitoring (including reporting on waste discharges, emissions, and treatment systems) is also
required to verify adherence to applicable legislation and any conditions of regulatory approval. In the
unlikely event of a spill or blowout, an operational oil spill contingency plan would be activated. A postspill EEM program may be a specific aspect of any such response plan.
5.3.3
Environmental Planning Considerations
Marine mammals and sea turtles are present in the SEA Study Area throughout the year, with many
species utilizing and moving into and out of the area for various activities at different periods. Available
information on the known geographic and seasonal occurrence of these species in and near the region
is presented in Section 4.2.3.
5.3.3.1 Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Species at Risk
A total of five federally listed marine mammal species at risk and one listed sea turtle may occur or are
known to be present in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area: 1) blue whale - Atlantic population; 2)
North Atlantic right whale; 3) Sowerby’s beaked whale; 4) northern bottlenose whale - Scotian Shelf
population; 5) fin whale - Atlantic population; and 6) leatherback turtle - Atlantic population.
Four additional populations that do or may occur in the SEA Study Area have been assessed by
COSEWIC as being of conservation concern, but do not have formal protection under SARA: 1) the
northern bottlenose whale (Davis Strait population); 2) the killer whale (Northwest Atlantic and Eastern
Arctic populations); 3) harbour porpoise - Northwest Atlantic population and 4) loggerhead sea turtle
(Atlantic Ocean population). The harbour porpoise is listed on Schedule 2 of SARA, but is not subject
to the same legal protections as Schedule 1 species. A third sea turtle species, the Kemp’s ridley, is
not federally listed but is considered by the IUCN to be critically endangered.
5.3.3.2 Important Areas and Times for Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles
Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) have been identified by DFO within the
Placentia Bay Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area (Templeman 2007) and Newfoundland
and Labrador Shelves bioregion (DFO 2013) for various ecological reasons, which in some cases
includes their use by and importance to marine mammals. This includes the following EBSAs which
overlap with the SEA Study Area:

Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks;

Lilly Canyon-Carson Canyon;
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
Northeast Shelf and Slope; and the

Orphan Spur.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Critical habitat has been identified in the federal Recovery Strategies for two of the marine mammal
species at risk that have been reported in the SEA Study Area (northern bottlenose whale - Scotian
Shelf population and the North Atlantic right whale), but no such critical habitat is located within the
SEA Study Area itself. Recovery Strategies identifying critical habitat are not currently available for the
other species at risk reported in the SEA Study Area. Analysis of data obtained from a tracking study
show three high-use feeding areas for leatherback turtles: 1) waters east and southeast of Georges
Bank, including the Northeast Channel near the southwestern boundary of the Canadian Exclusive
Economic Zone; 2) the southeastern Gulf of St. Lawrence and waters off eastern Cape Breton Island,
including Sydney Bight, the Cabot Strait, portions of the Magdalen Shallows and adjacent portions of
the Laurentian Channel; and 3) waters south and east of the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland, including
parts of Placentia Bay (DFO 2012). Information from this DFO tracking study is being used to inform
the identification of critical habitat in a forthcoming amendment to the species’ Recovery Strategy (DFO
2013).
In terms of seasonality, although several marine mammal species are year-round residents, cetaceans
and reptiles are most likely to occur in the SEA Study Area during the summer months, where the
Grand Banks and surrounding waters provide important feeding habitats. With the exception of grey
seals, which are present year-round, pinnipeds are most abundant in the winter.
In summary, the region is inhabited by marine mammals and sea turtles at various times of the year, a
number of which are considered to be at risk, with species moving in and out of the area utilizing its
marine environment for various activities at different periods. Several areas within the SEA Study Area
have also been identified as being of overall ecological and biological significance for various reasons.
The presence of these species, location and times should be considered in planning, proposing,
reviewing and implementing any future oil and gas projects and activities in the SEA Study Area. This,
in combination with the general mitigation measures outlined above, including in particular the
implementation of project specific marine mammal monitoring activities and avoidance protocols, will
help to avoid or reduce any potential direct interactions with, and effects on, these species during
individual projects. Project-specific planning and associated regulatory processes may therefore
address potential environmental effects, through the identification and implementation of project and
activity-specific mitigation and monitoring measures.
5.4
Sensitive and Special Areas
A number of marine and coastal areas within Eastern Newfoundland have been designated as being
sensitive or otherwise special. Some of these are formally protected or designated under provincial,
federal and/or other legislation and processes due to their ecological, historical and/or socio-cultural
characteristics and importance. These include, for example, the following:

Provincial Ecological Reserves (Cape St. Mary’s, Baccalieu Island, Fortune Head, Funk Island,
Lawn Islands Archipelago, Mistaken Point, Witless Bay);
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
Provincial Parks and Protected Areas (Bellevue Beach, Chance Cove, Deadman’s Bay, Dildo
Run, The Dungeon, Frenchman’s Cove, Gooseberry Cove, Marine Drive, Windmill Bight and
others);

Terra Nova National Park;

National Historic Sites (The Ryan Premises, Signal Hill, Cape Spear, Castle Hill and others);

Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks,
Northeast Shelf and Slope, Lilly Canyon-Carson Canyon, Virgin Rocks);

Eastport Marine Protected Area;

Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary;

Fisheries Closures Areas (Orphan Knoll Seamount, Corner Seamounts, NAFO Coral Closures);

Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and Important Coral Areas; and

Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
These and other such areas were identified, mapped and described throughout Chapter 4, and the
potential for interactions with, and effects on, these areas resulting from future oil and gas activities in
the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area are given particular attention in the SEA.
This VEC focuses on marine and coastal areas in Eastern Newfoundland that have existing
designations as being particularly important and/or sensitive locations, which may or may not be
located directly within the SEA Study Area itself. Other areas that have been identified as being
particularly important and/or sensitive from a purely ecological perspective (such as fish spawning
areas, bird colonies) or for fishing activity have been considered and assessed integrally within the Fish
and Fish Habitat, Marine Birds, Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles and/or Commercial Fisheries VECs
themselves.
5.4.1
Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects
Environmental interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and identified sensitive (including
protected) areas may again be both direct and indirect in nature and cause. The conduct of oil and gas
exploration activities directly within or near such areas may, for example, have adverse implications for
these locations and their important and defining ecological and socio-cultural characteristics. These
interactions may occur through the possible presence of oil and gas exploration or production
equipment, personnel and activities in the area, as well as the associated routine emissions and
resulting disturbances that may occur in nearby environments.
Biophysical effects resulting from oil and gas or other human activities within the SEA Study Area may
also “spread” to adjacent protected and otherwise important and sensitive areas by affecting the marine
fish, birds, mammals or other environmental components that move to and through the area. Although
unlikely to occur, any large oil spill in the marine environment may, depending upon its magnitude,
location and oceanographic conditions, also extend to other areas, potentially affecting these areas and
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their associated environmental components and characteristics. Any resulting decrease in the real or
perceived integrity of these areas in the short or long term may also affect their ecological and/or
societal importance and value. This may, in turn, have important implications for the communities and
economies that depend on any such areas and their associated tourism activities and recreational
opportunities.
5.4.2
Environmental Mitigation Measures and Planning Considerations
For formally protected areas, oil and gas related activities may be prohibited or otherwise restricted,
pursuant to applicable legislation, to avoid or reduce the potential for negative effects on these areas.
For other important and sensitive areas, a number of environmental protection measures and
procedures are typically used in the NL Offshore Area to avoid or reduce the possible adverse effects
of offshore oil and gas activities on the marine (biophysical) environment, including both planned
activities and potential accidental events. These have been listed and described in Sections 5.1 to 5.3
above, and their implementation would also serve to help address any associated effects on any
sensitive environments within or near the SEA Study Area.
These and/or other required mitigation measures would be determined on a project-specific basis,
through the individual regulatory reviews of proposed exploration (seismic or drilling) and/or production
projects. Again, any individual, proposed oil and gas exploration or production projects will also require
the receipt of applicable (project-specific) permits and authorizations from all relevant federal and
provincial regulatory departments and agencies.
5.5
Commercial Fisheries
Fisheries are an important component of the socioeconomic environment of Newfoundland and
Labrador and other parts of Canada. The fishery has played a key role in the region’s history, and thus
in shaping its people, communities and overall culture. It continues to be an essential element of the
economy and lifestyles of the people that live in these areas. Numerous individuals and organizations
depend on fish harvesting and its associated processing and spin-off industries, with many residents
participating in recreational fishing as an important aspect of their culture and overall way of life.
5.5.1
Potential Environmental Interactions and Effects
As a result of the nature, location, timing and intensity of marine fishing activity in the SEA Study Area
and surrounding marine environments, and because the operating season for many oil and gas
activities also inevitably coincides with that for fishing, the potential exists for interactions between
these two sectors. These interactions may again be both direct and indirect in nature, resulting from
possible interactions between, and damage to, fishing equipment during offshore oil and gas activities,
or through necessary restrictions on fishing activity at certain locations and times for safety reasons.
These interruptions may, in turn, have economic implications for fishers, both in terms of the direct
costs of replacing or repairing any fishing gear affected, as well as possible lost or reduced fishing
income due to required changes in the location and timing of their fishing activity (such as reduced
fishing activity, lower catch rates, increased cost and time to travel to and fish at alternate locations).
Also, any environmental effects resulting from oil and gas activities that have implications for the
presence, abundance, distribution or health of fish resources in an area may also have important
implications for the fishers that depend on these resources for their livelihoods.
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Most of the available information and insights regarding potential interactions between marine fisheries
and the offshore oil and gas industry has been gathered through consultations with fishers and other
individuals and organizations that are involved in the fishing industry. This includes the public and
stakeholder consultation activities undertaken as part of this SEA (as described in Chapter 2 and
Appendix A), as well as in other SEAs and project-specific EAs for oil and gas exploration and
development projects off Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere. These consultations have
identified damage to gear, loss of access and associated logistics, reduced fish catches (quantity
and/or value), biophysical effects on fish (including real or perceived tainting) and subsequent
reductions in fish landings and value, and oil spills as the primary issues of concern.
Offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities have been occurring in the Eastern
Newfoundland Offshore Area and elsewhere for decades. The views and insights of those involved in
the fishing industry as a result of their experiences to date, therefore, provide an important source of
“existing knowledge” regarding potential issues and effects, mitigation measures and their
effectiveness, and other factors relevant to the planning and possible conduct of future offshore oil and
gas activities in the SEA Study Area.
The main potential interactions between offshore oil and gas activities (including seismic vessels and
equipment, exploration and production platforms, and associated supply vessel traffic) and marine
fisheries may therefore be summarized as follows:

Damage to fishing gear or vessels as a result of direct interactions with oil and gas related
equipment, activities and/or environmental discharges;

Loss of access to preferred fishing areas and travel routes during offshore exploration or
production activities, and possible resulting decreases in fishing success and overall efficiency;

Indirect effects on fish landings and values due to possible biophysical effects on fish resources
and their habitats (including fish abundance, distribution or quality); and

The potential effects of offshore oil spills on fishing activity, equipment and fish resources and
the resulting implications for fishers and their livelihoods and communities.
Damage to fishing gear or vessels can result from physical contact with seismic vessels, drill rigs,
production platforms or equipment and vessels supporting oil and gas exploration or production.
Project-related discharges into the marine environment, such as small spills and materials lost from
vessels or drill rigs can also damage or foul fishing gear. In addition to the direct costs of fixing or
replacing any damaged fishing vessels or gear, further economic loss might also result from any
associated reduction in fishing times or catches.
Loss of access to fishing grounds can occur when safety zones are required and established around
exploration drilling activities or during similar periods of disruption during active seismic survey work.
The nature, spatial extent, duration and possible implications of any such restrictions depends on the
type, location, timing and other characteristics of the offshore oil and gas project or activity in question,
as well as the nature and scale of fishing activity that currently occurs in the area. The safety (nofishing) zones that are typically established around offshore drilling operations are usually quite small in
size, although for certain fisheries that use longline gear or others the exclusion zone may have to be
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larger. The requirement to fish in and/or travel through alternative areas during these periods can have
implications for catch rates and the cost and efficiency of fishing activity as well.
The possible biophysical effects of offshore oil and gas activities on fish resources (Section 5.1) may
also indirectly affect fishing activity. The potential effects of seismic surveys on the presence,
abundance and distribution (spatial and temporal) of commercial fish species has been raised as a
concern, and the scientific literature and anecdotal reports have not always provided consistent and
conclusive results on this issue (see Table 5.1). Drilling operations may also affect fish and fish habitat
through behavioural effects, fish health, taint, toxicity and bioaccumulation and the smothering of
benthic habitats. Any such biophysical effects to fish and fish habitat could result in a subsequent loss
of fish catch or catch value. Even where there is a low potential for, or occurrence, of such effects,
perceived effects by the public (fish quality, taint) can affect economic returns from the fishery (although
this is much more likely to occur after a large oil spill than as a result of routine offshore activities).
The most important potential effects from major oil spills in the marine environment are extended loss
of access to fishing grounds, damage to fishing equipment, fish mortality and tainting, and associated
economic effects due to loss of industry value and markets.
In addition to the potential negative effects on marine fisheries discussed above, the fishing industry
can also at times benefit from any increased communications and emergency response capabilities that
may result from the further development and growth of an offshore oil and gas industry (exploration
and/or production) in a region.
5.5.2
Environmental Mitigation Measures
A number of procedures and other measures have been used in the NL Offshore Area and elsewhere
to avoid or reduce possible interactions between offshore oil and gas activities and marine fisheries and
the potential adverse effects of same.
Ensuring the safety of offshore personnel and equipment working in both the fishing and oil and gas
industries is a primary concern and objective. The establishment of safety (no-fishing) zones around
offshore oil and gas installations and in areas of high vessel traffic helps to minimize the potential for
negative interactions between oil and gas activities and the fishing industry. Typically, no-fishing zones
are relatively small in size, but again this depends on the nature of the installation and activity and the
adjacent fisheries. If a series of wells are to be drilled in a given area, a sequential approach to drilling
is often used for logistical reasons (such as rig availability and mobilization), which also helps minimize
the total area affected through loss of access to fishing grounds at any one time.
Consultation and communication between offshore oil and gas operators, government departments and
agencies and the fishing industry in planning and implementing offshore seismic surveys and drilling
programs is by far the most effective mechanism for avoiding interactions. Notices to Mariners and
other methods have been used to get timely information about offshore oil and gas activities to fishers
and other organizations. Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) positions have also been established by oil and
gas operators to serve as an essential link for on-going communication with the fishing industry during
offshore programs. These FLOs are often local fishers who are hired and placed on-board offshore oil
and gas installations and vessels, whose responsibilities include communicating with fishing vessels, as
well as proposing alternative routes to operator to avoid important fishing areas and activities. The use
of established and common marine traffic routes by support and supply vessels where possible can
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also help minimize disturbances to and effects on the fishing industry. Oil and gas related vessels are
typically made aware of the nature of, and key locations and times for, fishing activity in the region, as a
further precaution and for planning purposes to potentially use alternate routes around fishing grounds
at peak times.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a unique (and effective) model has been developed to facilitate
communication and cooperation between the offshore fishing and petroleum sectors. One Ocean was
established in 2002 as a voluntary, inter-industry liaison organization providing a neutral and practical
medium for information exchange. This model promotes mutual awareness and understanding of
industry operational activities and its proactive approach to address areas of potential concern is
enhanced though its commitment to cooperation and transparency. The organization consists of a
Chairperson, Director, Industry Board and Working Group. The One Ocean Industry Board is a core
component of the organization and is comprised of equal, senior-level representation from the two
industry sectors. Fishing industry members are represented by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers
(FFAW) union and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP). Oil and gas industry members are
affiliates of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). Official Observers on the Board
include the C-NLOPB, DFO, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
and Labrador and the CCG. Additional information can be obtained from the One Ocean website, at
http://www.oneocean.ca
The C-NLOPB’s Geophysical, Geological, Environmental and Geotechnical Program Guidelines (CNLOPB 2012) include various requirements and other measures related to environmental planning,
mitigation, monitoring and reporting which are intended to help avoid or reduce the potential for
interactions with other ocean users, including associated scheduling, operational planning and
communications, gear and/or vessel damage compensation programs, and incident documentation and
reporting. The various mitigation measures to avoid or reduce the potential environmental (biophysical)
effects of offshore oil and gas activities on fish and fish habitat that were highlighted in Section 5.1 can
also serve to help address any indirect effects on marine fisheries.
A key and recurring concern pertains to the potential effects of a large oil spill on the marine
environment, and thus, on fishing activity and the livelihoods of fishers and communities. The
prevention of oil spills has been and is a major priority for the C-NLOPB and other agencies and
organizations, as well as for offshore drilling operators who are required to develop plans which outline
procedures for preventing and effectively responding to such spills.
The regulatory reviews of proposed offshore drilling programs typically include an analysis of possible
oil spill types and probabilities, as well as detailed modelling of the likely fate and behaviour of
hypothetical spills based on project and site specific factors, including hydrocarbon types and
properties, water depths and characteristics, currents and other oceanographic conditions and patterns.
This information and analysis is then used in assessing and evaluating the potential for, and likely
nature and magnitude of, interactions between any such spill and fishing activities, for use in project
planning and associated regulatory decisions around whether and how the particular drilling program in
question may proceed.
As part of the regulatory review and approval process that apply to offshore drilling activities in the NL
Offshore Area, operators are also expected to demonstrate that they have the ability and capacity to
undertake such activities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. This includes the
development and implementation of systematic and comprehensive oil spill prevention plans and
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procedures, as well as ensuring that they have the ability to respond to a spill event in an effective and
timely manner, should one occur. The C-NLOPB committed to completing a review of the producing
operator’s assessment of their spill response capability. Although the review is complete, the C-NLOPB
endeavours to have operators improve oil spill response, including techniques and equipment for
responding to a spill.
Should the above measures be unsuccessful in preventing adverse environmental effects to marine
fisheries or other components of the socioeconomic environment (such as gear damage due to
interference with seismic streamers, or in the unlikely event of a large offshore oil spill in the area), a
variety of processes and measures exist to compensate fishers and others for losses or damages
related to offshore oil and gas activity. These are listed in the C-NLOPB’s Compensation Guidelines
Respecting Damages Relating to Offshore Petroleum Activity and elsewhere, and were described in
some detail in Chapter 3 of this report.
5.5.3
Environmental Planning Considerations
Based on available information regarding marine fisheries in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
and adjacent regions, the following sections summarize a number of key planning considerations which
may help to inform planning and decision-making regarding future exploration licencing and the design
and conduct of any future associated oil and gas activities in the region. This includes highlighting
particular fishing activities, areas and times which may be considered in such planning, to help avoid or
reduce potential interactions between the oil and gas and fishing sectors within the SEA Study Area.
As illustrated and described in Chapter 4, a variety of commercial fisheries occur within and throughout
the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area and adjacent regions throughout the year, and the region is
characterized by a somewhat complex spatial and temporal pattern of fishing activity. This, along with
the rather dynamic nature of the fishery over time (as emphasized during SEA consultations with local
fishers, see Appendix A), makes it somewhat difficult to be specific about any particular locations and
times which should be avoided or in which activities should be otherwise planned or restricted.
On-going communication between offshore oil and gas operators and the fishing industry, through the
various processes and forums described above, has been and remains the most effective means for
ensuring that such activities are carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, avoiding
or reducing adverse interactions between the oil and gas and fishing sectors. Notices to Mariners and
other communications, the use of FLOs, the representation of Eastern Newfoundland fishers by the
FFAW and the One Ocean initiative have been particularly useful in creating and maintaining open and
on-going dialogue between these two industries, and in fostering a proactive and cooperative approach
to identifying and addressing any issues or concerns.
5.6
Cumulative Environmental Effects
The environment of the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area – including fish and fish habitat, marine
birds, marine mammals and sea turtles, sensitive and special areas, fisheries and other components –
has been influenced by a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. These include past and on-going
fishing activity, oil and gas exploration and development projects, vessel traffic and other human
activities, as well as effects of climate change and other biophysical processes, all of which are
reflected in the existing (baseline) environmental setting of the region as described in Chapter 4. These
previous, on-going, and future activities and processes will continue to affect the environmental
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conditions and characteristics of the region, in combination with each other and with possible future oil
and gas exploration and development projects in the area.
Information on the specific nature, intensity and spatial and temporal distribution of potential offshore
exploration (seismic and drilling) activities and possible production projects in the SEA Study Area and
their environmental effects is not available at this early stage. The likely level and location of any future
exploration in the area (as reflected, for example, in the current C-NLOPB Call for Bids, see Chapter 3),
and the relatively short-term nature of these individual actions, will however mean that many individual
projects would likely be separated in space and time. This will, of course, depend on the eventual
intensity and spatial and temporal distribution of these activities (including with respect to each other
and existing oil production operations), their respective environmental effects and their zones of
influence. The relatively long-term nature of offshore oil and gas production projects at particular
locations also increases the probability that their effects will interact with other offshore activities at
some point in time.
Oceanographic conditions and processes, such as large scale water movements to, from and
throughout the SEA Study Area, as well as good sound propagation in certain areas (especially the
deeper channels), may extend the spatial extent of environmental disturbances and thus, the potential
for cumulative effects. The widespread and migratory nature of many species of fish, birds, marine
mammals and turtles also increases the potential for individuals or populations to be affected by
multiple perturbations, and therefore, for cumulative environmental effects to occur. Sensitive and
special areas, commercial fisheries and other human activities may also be subject to multiple types
and levels of stressors from a variety of sources, both on-going and potential.
The nature, magnitude and spatial and temporal distribution of any environmental effects from planned
future offshore oil and gas projects would have to be assessed and evaluated through project-specific
analyses as part of individual EA reviews. Avoiding or reducing such overlap between offshore oil and
gas exploration and development projects and/or with other unrelated activities in the region (and
therefore, any resulting cumulative effects) can and should therefore be considered in planning and
reviewing any individual projects and activities as they are defined and proposed.
5.7
Information Availability, Requirements and Opportunities
The marine environment of the SEA Study Area is large, complex and dynamic, with environmental
conditions changing over time through various natural and/or anthropogenic processes and influences.
Furthermore, the marine biota within these systems are linked to one another and their habitats,
resulting in complex system of interactions and ever evolving environmental characteristics. Influenced
by human activities such as fishing and a changing climate, the marine biota have been subject to
considerable, ecosystem-wide changes (regime shifts) in recent times.
In terms of fish and fish habitat, although the SEA Study Area has been relatively well studied overall,
the difficulty of studying offshore species and the inherent complexity of the system leaves various key
information gaps, even in relatively well researched elements. There is a particular paucity of available
data from deep water habitats beyond the continental slope. Even within some of the more well studied
areas (such as the shelf and upper slope), there remains a somewhat poor understanding of many
species that are not of commercial importance. For example, studies of benthic invertebrate
communities are few, and have been limited to very small scales and areas. Such studies, while
extremely valuable, do not lend themselves well to characterizing overall regions, components and key
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relationships that have implications throughout the food chain, depending on a particular species’
particular ecological role and importance. Similarly, many of the large pelagics that use the SEA Study
Area seasonally are also not well understood, but are not easily studied and tracked under current
monitoring initiatives (e.g. RV surveys) and operate at large spatial scales that are influenced by many
ecological and anthropogenic phenomena.
Although detailed information on the occurrence, abundance and distribution of marine birds and
particular species is not available for all locations and times throughout the SEA Study Area, some
overall environmental characteristics and trends can be identified and highlighted which are appropriate
for an SEA level of analysis and which would be relevant to the planning and conduct of any future oil
and gas activities in the region. Overall, however, there continues to be a relatively limited amount of
specific and up to date regional information available on the number and spatial and temporal
distribution of avifauna offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere in Eastern Canada. The
CWS has reinvigorated efforts to monitor eastern seabird species at sea (ECSAS). The ECSAS
monitoring program is ongoing, and the Working Group is in the process of developing a publically
available interactive online Atlas of seabird density and distribution that will provide more up-to-date
information on the status of marine birds in the region.
Operators may also develop and implement operational monitoring programs during offshore programs,
which have included bird monitoring during exploration activities off Newfoundland and Labrador. CWS
has developed a pelagic seabird monitoring protocol (Gjerdrum et al 2012) that is recommended for
use by trained and experienced observers on all offshore projects. A guide to the pelagic seabirds of
Atlantic Canada is also available for assistance in identifying these avifauna. A report on any such
seabird monitoring program and its results is submitted to the C-NLOPB within one year after its
completion. Any and all information gathered through such observations would, over time, also
contribute to an expanded information and knowledge base regarding the presence, abundance and
spatial and temporal distribution of marine birds in the SEA Study Area. The Final Report for the 3.5
year ESRF Offshore Seabird Monitoring Program (Fifield et al 2009b) provides a number of
recommendations to ensure a current, reliable and comparable body of data from diverse industry and
government sources for marine birds in Eastern Canada, including following the standardized
monitoring protocol and analytical techniques developed by CWS for the ECSAS program (Gjerdrum et
al 2012), and using observers trained in seabird observation techniques. Oil and gas operators can also
contact the Canadian Wildlife Service to obtain and use any additional, up-to-date data on marine birds
that may have become available since the publication of the SEA. Additional research on methods to
detect bird collisions with oil and gas installations, and the effectiveness of associated measures to
avoid or reduce such interactions, would also help to better predict and manage these issues for future
projects and activities and to help ensure compliance with relevant legislation, such as the Canadian
Migratory Birds Convention Act.
For the purposes of the SEA and the scale of its associated analysis, there is also a degree of existing
and available information on the occurrence and distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles in the
region which will be relevant to future licencing decisions, as well as to the planning and conduct of any
future oil and gas activities. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) maintains an ongoing database for
marine mammal and sea turtle sightings off Eastern Canada, and in 2007 conducted a rigorous aerial
survey program of the waters off Eastern Canada (Lawson and Gosselin 2009). However, these
surveys were conducted in a limited temporal window (mid July to late August), and a larger body of
surveys is needed to provide adequate spatial and temporal/seasonal data on marine-associated
species in the waters in this region. A lack of specific information and knowledge regarding biologically
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essential behaviour for marine mammals and associated areas and times has also been identified as
an issue.
Again, offshore operators may also develop and implement operational monitoring programs during
offshore programs, which have included marine mammal monitoring during exploration activities off
Newfoundland and Labrador. Marine mammal monitoring and reporting protocols are outlined in
Environmental Studies Research Fund (ESRF) Report #156 (2004), and a report on any such
monitoring program and its results is submitted to the C-NLOPB within one year of its completion.
Again, any past, on-going and future operational monitoring programs for marine mammals and sea
turtles will, over time, contribute to the overall knowledge base regarding the presence, abundance and
spatial and temporal distribution of these species in the SEA Study Area. The use of qualified and
experienced marine mammal observers and procedures will further increase the quality and utility of the
resulting information. Given the considerable scientific and stakeholder interest in these species, other
government and industry-funded research programs may also consider focussing on marine mammals
and sea turtles in the general region in the future (e.g., those conducted through the ESRF, the
Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD), or Petroleum Research Newfoundland and
Labrador (PRNL)).
For those areas that are formally designated as important, sensitive or protected under federal or
provincial government legislation or other means, there is information available regarding their
presence, location, size and important ecological and/or socioeconomic features and value, for
consideration and planning, assessing and implementing any future oil and gas or other human
activities in the region. Most of these areas have also been subject to considerable study and analysis
as part of the processes that led up to their designation, as well as since then. Although, as illustrated
and described in Sections 4.2.1 - 4.2.4, a number of other areas have also been identified as being of
special interest or sensitivity, comparable types and levels of information on the locations and
characteristics of these sites is often not readily available, although this varies considerably between
locations.
An information base is available regarding fishing activity in the SEA Study Area, particularly for the
commercial fisheries which are managed, regulated and monitored by DFO and which involve fish
harvests that are landed in Canadian ports. Although the resulting information and datasets are not
always entirely complete or comprehensive for all fisheries and species, they do provide a regional
picture of fishing activity in the region that is considered adequate and appropriate for the purposes of
the SEA and for informing future licencing decisions and the design and review of individual offshore oil
and gas projects. It is imperative that this information continue to be made available in a useful format
and timely manner to government agencies and offshore operators. These existing data sets and other
available information, supplemented by continued dialogue and information-sharing involving fishers
and their representative organizations and other industry groups, provide useful information for such
planning and decision-making.
In summary, through the SEA some key environmental characteristics and trends for the SEA Study
Area have been identified and highlighted, based on existing and available information sources, which
are appropriate for an SEA level of analysis. This information may also be relevant to the planning and
review of any future proposed oil and gas activities in the region, which may also require additional and
location-specific environmental information and analyses.
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6
Strategic Environmental Assessment
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The C-NLOPB is responsible, on behalf of the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and
Labrador, for petroleum resource management in the NL Offshore Area. The Board's regulatory
responsibilities include the administration and issuance of specific licences, authorizations and
approvals pertaining to offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities in the region. As
part of these processes, the C-NLOPB has been undertaking SEAs of portions of the NL Offshore Area
in which the issuance of Exploration Licences could be contemplated and which have not been subject
to substantial levels of previous, project-based EAs.
This report comprises an SEA for the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area, which provides information
on the existing environment within the SEA Study Area and identifies and highlights key environmental
features and considerations which may be associated with future oil and gas activities in the region. In
doing so, the SEA is intended to help inform future licencing decisions regarding offshore oil and gas
activities in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area. This Chapter presents a summary of the key
findings and conclusions of the SEA.
Based on the nature of past, on-going and potential future oil and gas activities in the Eastern
Newfoundland Offshore Area (Chapter 3), and the existing biophysical environment and human
activities in the region (Chapter 4), the SEA has identified and discussed key environmental features,
sensitivities and potential interactions and issues (Chapter 5) which may be relevant to future oil and
gas related licencing decisions. These are summarized in the sections that follow, for each of the
following VECs:






Fish and Fish Habitat;
Marine Birds;
Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles;
Species at Risk and Other Key Species;
Sensitive and Special Areas; and
Commercial Fisheries
Detailed information and mapping for key aspects of each of the VECs listed above is provided in
Chapter 4 of this SEA Report, which should be reviewed for specific information and analysis. The
Figures that follow provide an overview of some select, key environmental features and locations as a
summary, where these are known and are “mappable” from the existing and available data.
6.1
Fish and Fish Habitat (Including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)
A number of fish species that are designated as being at risk and are formally protected under the
SARA and/or the NL ESA are known or likely to occur in the SEA Study Area, including several species
of wolffish and the white shark. Three wolffish species (striped, northern and spotted) occur in the area,
each of which are associated with continental slope areas and whose key habitats include one or more
of the Northeast Shelf and Slope EBSA, the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks EBSA, and the
Bonavista Corridor. The white shark is not common in the area and its habitat is not well defined,
although it is likely to inhabit the region during the warm water season. In addition to those that are
legally protected, there are a number of other species that are considered to be of special conservation
concern by organizations such as COSEWIC, including species that occur along the Grand Banks, the
continental shelf and the continental slope.
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A number of other particularly important and/or sensitive species, areas and times related to fish and
fish habitat have been identified through the SEA (Figure 6.1), both from the available literature and
other datasets as well as through the consultation program. These include the following, which may be
considered in future planning and decision-making regarding offshore oil and gas activities in the
region:

EBSAs which are located within or overlap the SEA Study Area;

Sensitive coastal areas and habitats that are adjacent to the SEA Study Area, such as the
Eastport Marine Protected Area, eelgrass fish nurseries and estuaries for diadromous fish, and
other EBSAs.

Areas of relatively high plankton productivity, including the waters on the shelf and the shelf
break, the Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA and the Frontal Extrusion Zone.
Phytoplankton blooms are at their height in the spring, with zooplankton peaking in abundance
shortly after.

Key areas for benthic organisms (some of which are economically valuable species), which are
most prevalent in the colder, more northern portions of the SEA Study Area on the shelf edge,
and in other areas such as the Tail of the Grand Banks.

Deep sea coral, seamount and sponge areas which have been identified and delineated by
DFO and NAFO, including protection zones on the slopes of the Flemish Cap, the Orphan Knoll
and the southeast slope of the Grand Banks with additional high density sponge and coral areas
having been identified along the slopes of the continental shelf in the Orphan Basin.

The migration routes and times of key species, such as Atlantic cod which move inshore during
summer and retreat to waters at the edge of the continental shelf in the winter.

Species with habitat requirements and restrictions that limit them to a small portion of the area,
such as the single nursery area for the entire yellowtail flounder stock that is found in the
Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Grand Banks EBSA.

Area of identified high values for fish in terms of abundance, biomass and species richness,
based on DFO research vessel catches, including the edge of the continental shelf near the
Flemish Pass and the northern portions of the Orphan Basin for both abundance and biomass,
as well as additional “hotspots” at the Tail of the Grand Banks, Flemish Pass, Orphan Basin and
Bonavista Corridor area.

The Bonavista Cod Box, which has been recognized as a key area for fish and is an important
migratory pathway for Atlantic cod.

Other areas of known importance as nurseries and spawning grounds, such as the Southeast
Shoal and Tail of the Banks. Although spawning activities and periods vary considerably
between species, spring appears to be a key spawning time for many species that use the SEA
Study Area.
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Figure 6.1
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Summary of Select Environmental Components
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6.2
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Marine Birds (Including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)
Several marine bird and landbird species that are currently designated as being at risk (and which are
therefore protected) under SARA and/or the NL ESA do or may occur in the SEA Study Area for at
least part of the year and have the potential to interact with offshore activities. These include:

Seabirds: Ivory Gull (SARA and NL ESA: endangered);

Waterfowl: Harlequin Duck (eastern population SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable)
and Barrow’s Goldeneye (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable);

Shorebirds: Red Knot (rufa subspecies; SARA and NL ESA: endangered); Piping Plover (SARA
and NL ESA: endangered)

Landbirds: Peregrine Falcon (SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable); Short-eared Owl
(SARA: special concern; NL ESA: vulnerable); Gray-cheeked Thrush (NL ESA: vulnerable);
Olive-sided Flycatcher (SARA and NL ESA: threatened).
In addition to those that are legally protected, there are a number of other species that are considered
to be of special conservation concern by COSEWIC, namely the Buff-breasted Sandpiper (special
concern), Bank Swallow (threatened) and Bobolink (threatened). Several additional species at risk may
migrate over the offshore area, but, as diurnal migrants are unlikely to be affected by offshore activities.
These include the Rusty Blackbird (SARA: special concern and NL ESA: vulnerable) and the Chimney
Swift (SARA and NL ESA: threatened).
During the summer breeding season, the greatest abundance of seabirds is concentrated around
nesting colonies, although some areas (such as the Grand Banks) support large numbers of feeding
seabirds year-round. Winter is a particularly sensitive time for alcids (auks), as they spend most of their
time on the water’s surface. In the fall (staging) and winter period, sea ducks can be found in large
numbers in coastal waters, with high concentrations in various locations, and the endangered Harlequin
Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye are often found in coastal waters outside of the breeding season. Many
species of shorebirds utilize a variety of coastal habitats including sandy mudflats, saltmarshes and
river outlets in Eastern Newfoundland during their southward migration, with peak abundance typically
occurring in July to October. For migrating landbirds, the spring and fall months are most important.
Particularly sensitive times for potential effects on migratory birds include the spring (April to June) and
fall (July to October) migration periods.
6.3
Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (Including Species at Risk and Other Key Species)
A total of five federally listed marine mammal species at risk and one listed sea turtle are known to or
may occur in the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area:






Blue whale - Atlantic population;
North Atlantic right whale;
Sowerby’s beaked whale;
Northern bottlenose whale - Scotian Shelf population;
Fin whale - Atlantic population; and
Leatherback turtle -Atlantic population.
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Four additional populations that do or may occur in the SEA Study Area have been assessed by
COSEWIC but do not have formal protection under SARA: Northern bottlenose whale (Davis Strait
population); killer whale (Northwest Atlantic and Eastern Arctic populations); Harbour porpoise
(Northwest Atlantic population); and loggerhead sea turtle (Atlantic Ocean population). A third sea
turtle species, the Kemp’s ridley, is not federally listed but is considered by the IUCN to be critically
endangered.
A number of EBSAs have been identified by DFO for various ecological reasons, which in some cases
includes their use by and importance to marine mammals. Critical habitat has been identified in the
federal Recovery Strategies for several of the above listed marine mammal species at risk, but no such
critical habitat is located within the SEA Study Area itself. For the leatherback turtle, three important
feeding habitat areas have been identified, including the waters south and east of the Burin Peninsula,
Newfoundland, including parts of Placentia Bay. It is possible that these areas will be designated as
critical habitat in a forthcoming update of the species’ federal Recovery Strategy. Although several
species are year-round residents, cetaceans and reptiles are most likely to occur in the SEA Study
Area during the summer months, and most pinnipeds are of highest abundance in the winter.
6.4
Sensitive and Special Areas
A number of marine and coastal areas within and adjacent to Eastern Newfoundland have been
designated as being sensitive or otherwise special, including (Figure 6.2):










Provincial Ecological Reserves
Provincial Parks and Protected Areas;
Terra Nova National Park;
National Historic Sites;
Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas;
Eastport Marine Protected Area;
Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary;
Fisheries Closures Areas;
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and Important Coral Areas; and
Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
Some of these are formally protected or designated under provincial, federal and/or other legislation
and processes due to their ecological, historical and/or socio-cultural characteristics and importance.
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Figure 6.2
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Summary of Sensitive and Special Areas
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6.5
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Commercial Fisheries
Marine fisheries are an integral component of the socioeconomic environment of Newfoundland and
Labrador and other parts of Canada, including the various communities and regions that extend along
the coastline of Eastern Newfoundland and elsewhere in the province. Fishing activity in the SEA Study
Area during the 2008 to 2012 period occurred throughout the year, with the highest landings by weight
occurring in the summer (May - August) period, which also accounted for approximately 75 percent of
the total value of fish harvested. The current commercial fishery is largely dominated shrimp and crab,
and to a lesser extent finfish species such as turbot, with very few other species accounting for greater
than five percent of fishery in terms of landed weight and/or value. Various types of fishing gear are
used to harvest fish and shellfish in the waters off Eastern Newfoundland.
Figures 6.3 and 6.4 give a summary illustration of the overall distribution and intensity of commercial
fishing activity throughout the SEA Study Area for the period 2008-2012. The maps are based on the
number of “fishing data points” within each grid square as contained in the fisheries dataset provided by
DFO, both for the entire year and by season.
6.6
Information Availability, Requirements and Opportunities
With regard to fish and fish habitat. although the SEA Study Area has been relatively well studied
overall, there is a particular paucity of available data from deep water habitats beyond the continental
slope, as well as for other species that are not of commercial importance. Detailed information on the
occurrence, abundance and distribution of marine birds, mammals and sea turtles is not available for all
locations and times throughout the SEA Study Area, although some overall environmental
characteristics and trends can be identified and highlighted. Overall, however, there continues to be a
relatively limited amount of specific and up to date information available on the number and spatial and
temporal distribution of these species offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Operators may develop
and implement operational monitoring programs during offshore programs, in accordance with standard
and accepted protocols, which would, over time, also contribute to an expanded information and
knowledge base regarding the presence, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of marine
biota in the SEA Study Area. A lack of specific information and knowledge regarding biologically
essential behaviour for marine mammals and associated areas and times has also been identified as
an issue.
An information base is available regarding fishing activity in the SEA Study Area particularly for the
commercial fisheries which are managed, regulated and monitored by DFO. Although the DFO
datasets are known to not be entirely comprehensive, particularly with regard to important inshore
fisheries, this information provides a useful regional picture of fishing activity in the area that is
considered adequate and appropriate for the purposes of the SEA. It is imperative, however, that this
information continues to be made available in a useful format and timely manner to government
agencies and offshore operators. These existing fisheries data sets and other available information,
supplemented by continued dialogue and information-sharing involving fishers and their representative
organizations and other industry groups, provide important information for such planning and decisionmaking.
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Figure 6.3
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Summary of Commercial Fishing Distribution and Intensity (2008 - 2012)
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Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Area
Figure 6.4
2012)
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Summary of Commercial Fishing Distribution and Intensity by Season (2008 -
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C-NLOPB Note: Recommendations and conclusions regarding the issuance of rights and any
requirement on the restriction of offshore oil and gas activities in the SEA Study Area will be finalized
for inclusion in the Eastern Newfoundland SEA Report following the conclusion of the regulatory and
public comment period.
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7
7.1
Strategic Environmental Assessment
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