The Laurentian Channel Area of Interest Marine Protected Areas Program. Newfoundland and Labrador Region Sigrid Kuehnemund July, 2010

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1 The Laurentian Channel Area of Interest Marine Protected Areas Program Newfoundland and Labrador Region Sigrid Kuehnemund July, 2010

2 Overview Oceans Act MPA MPA Development and Designation Regional Area Of Interest Selection Process Why the Laurentian Channel? Activities within the Laurentian Channel Next Steps for 2010/11

3 Oceans Act Marine Protected Area Intent Protect certain species and/or habitats Enhance productivity of an area Achieve/enhance sustainable fisheries Benefit fisheries management MPA What does it mean for us? Not isolated areas, part of larger ecosystem Will not solve all problems in an ocean environment but are important foundation Not necessarily no-take areas; restrictions vary; zoning options Multiple-use areas Activities that do not undermine the intended conservation efforts can be permitted

4 What are the Steps in Establishing a Marine Protected Area? 1) Select an Area of Interest 2) Conduct Overview and Assessment of the Area of Interest 3) Draft Regulatory Intent Documentation 4) Consult on and finalize Regulatory Intent and identify costs/benefits 5) Develop Regulations for the Marine Protected Area 6) Manage the Marine Protected Area

5 Why another MPA? Health of the Oceans funding announced in 2007 budget, Government of Canada Commitment $61.5 million over five years, 22 components in five departments HOTO Component #19-6 New Marine Protected Areas via Oceans Act in priority Large Ocean Management Areas (LOMAs) Federal Provincial Territorial MPA network

6 AOI Selection Process 11 Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) within the Placentia Bay Grand Banks LOMA Consideration of national criteria Advice from DFO inter-sectoral working group and informal feedback from key stakeholders 11 shortlisted to 5 Formal consultations Laurentian Channel selected Regional recommendation sent to Ministers office in May 2009 Ministerial announcement June 8, 2010

8 Regional Considerations MPAs already designated to protect single species; small and are located near shore which speaks to community connections Previous experience with MPA designation was driven bottom up as opposed to driven by Science EBSAs with abundance of resources, varied users will be complicated Cross reference economic information associated with EBSAs undergoing consultation Core stakeholders first thoughts on process and areas Consideration of existing management measures

9 Informal Consultations Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Committee on Oceans Management Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board World Wildlife Fund Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Parks Canada Agency Environment Canada

11 Formal Consultations Dec 08 Apr 09 Federal/Provincial - Province of Newfoundland and Labrador - Environment Canada - ACOA - Transport Canada - Parks Canada - Natural Resources Canada Academia -Memorial University - Marine Institute Industry - Fish, Food & Allied Workers - Fixed Gear Offshore Harvesters Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council - Clearwater & Nova Scotia Fishers Canadian Association of Prawn Producers - Canada-NL Offshore Petroleum Board - East Coast Otter Trawlers Association - Seafood Processors of NL - Association of Seafood Producers - Canadian Assoc. of Petroleum Producers - Shipping Federation of Canada - One Ocean - Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Environmental Non-Government Organizations - Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society - World Wildlife Fund Aboriginal - Conne River, Miawpukek First Nation

13 Ecological Significance of the Laurentian Channel Science advice provided on spatial areas and appropriate conservation priorities (SAR 2007/042; 2007/052) - Black dogfish - Monkfish - Smooth skate <30cm - White Hake - Cetacean migration - Pollock - Porbeagle shark - Redfish Fish harvesters expressed concern regarding the protection of overwintering cod

15 Black dogfish distribution NL trawl survey data from (Kulka, 2006)

18 Smooth skate (<30cm) distribution Map of average weight (weight/number per tow) from NL Region surveys for (Kulka et al., 2006), the Laurentian Channel contained the highest portion of young juveniles

21 Porbeagle shark distribution

22 Cetacean distribution Newfoundland K, L E Area A: Potentially important spring feeding area for overwintering and migrating large whales; alternatives are not known A B D F C H G PBGB Study Area J I

23 Metric Tonnes Laurentian Channel and Slope Catch Levels ( ) Redfish Skate Cod Halibut Turbot Other Pelagics Other Groundfish Other Shellfish

25 Current alternative ballast water exchange zone for ships proceeding up the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes

29 Next Steps Consultations with resource user groups, NGOs, academia, and provincial and federal government departments and regulatory agencies Conduct biophysical and socio-economic overviews Establish advisory committee to add to scientific knowledge base, assist in identifying possible mitigation options, inform boundary delineation discussion Inaugural Advisory Committee meeting Fall 2010 to review biophysical and socio-economic overviews, terms of reference, action plan and timelines

Maria Espinosa Romero John Driscoll

Maria Espinosa Romero John Driscoll Fisheries management in Canada a. Traditionally done on a stock-by-stock basis; b. Canada s commitments to ecosystem approach will change this; c. Two interrelated pathways