DFO Review of Siting Guidelines for Marine Finfish Aquaculture - October 2014

DFO Review of Siting Guidelines for Marine
          Finfish Aquaculture

               October 2014

Introduction
• DFO has initiated a review of the current siting guidelines for marine
  finfish aquaculture
• Consultation and engagement with First Nations, industry and
  stakeholders (e.g. environmental interests) will be key to informing this
  review
• The purpose of today’s presentation is to:
    – Provide an update on work to date;
    – Outline the key themes identified to help guide this review and the
       development of revised siting guidelines; and
    – Initiate a dialogue and seek input regarding the key themes and
       potential siting guidelines under each theme.

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Background
• Siting guidelines are one of the key management tools used by DFO
  to support sustainability and mitigate potential risks related to
  aquaculture
• The current criteria (Appendix 1) are based on previous work with the
  Province of B.C. and have been in place for many years (late 1990’s)
• In some cases, these criteria may not reflect our current scientific
  understanding and/or DFO’s management approach (e.g. use of
  mitigation measures other than siting to mitigate potential risks)
• Preliminary work has been completed over the last several months
  (e.g. initial review of existing criteria, identification of key themes)

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Context
• DFO assumed primary responsibility for the regulation of aquaculture
  in December 2010
• Decision was made to postpone decisions on new finfish applications
  and significant amendments during the Cohen Commission
• In Fall 2013, DFO resumed consideration of new applications for
  marine finfish aquaculture with the exception of new applications and
  production increases in the Discovery Islands area
• The Commission recommended DFO conduct a science-based
  review the current siting criteria for marine finfish
• The Province of B.C. continues to play a key role in siting (e.g.
  issuance of tenures under the Provincial Land Act)

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Purpose and Scope of the Review
• Siting is a key element of DFO’s management approach and
  mitigating potential impacts on fisheries and the environment
• Goal is to locate farms in areas best suited in terms of fish health (wild
  and farmed), potential impacts on existing fisheries and environmental
  sustainability
• Revised guidelines will provide updated guidance to DFO staff and
  decision-makers in terms of new aquaculture applications
• Will provide additional guidance to industry in terms of applications
• Also designed to support greater transparency in decision-making by
  providing First Nations, industry, stakeholders and the public with
  further information regarding DFO’s review process

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Management Objectives
• DFO objectives being advanced through this review include:
   – Supporting healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems;
   – Supporting an aquaculture industry that is environmentally,
     economically and socially sustainable;
   – Supporting economic opportunities through sustainable growth
     and development of the aquaculture sector in B.C.;
   – Ensuring sound environmental performance on the part of the
     aquaculture industry;
   – Providing an efficient and effective regulatory system for
     aquaculture in BC; and
   – Engaging First Nations, industry, other levels of government and
     stakeholders in management of the aquaculture sector.
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Considerations Related to New Guidelines
• In addition to the management objectives, a number of considerations
  guide DFO through the review process, including:
   – Consistency with DFO’s legislative and regulatory mandate;
   – Ensuring that aquaculture development respects constitutionally
      protected Aboriginal and treaty rights and that the priorities of
      Aboriginal users are taken into consideration;
   – Alignment with the strategic outcomes and objectives of the
      Department;
   – Current scientific understanding of aquaculture / environmental
      interactions; and
   – Efficacy and appropriateness in terms of mitigating potential risks.

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Key Themes
• Based on DFO’s legislative and regulatory mandate (including the
  Fisheries Act and the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations), the following
  themes were identified in order to help frame and guide the review
  process:

       1.   Potential fishery impacts;
       2.   Potential fish, fish habitat, and environmental impacts;
       3.   Fish health and wild-farmed interactions; and
       4.   Additional siting guidelines.

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1. Potential Fishery Impacts
• DFO’s aim is to minimize and/or mitigate potential impacts on
  commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries.
• Siting guidelines can be used to inform the development and review
  of siting applications, as well as support DFO decision-making.
• Siting guidelines could include:
   – Would the proposed site impact the ability of First Nations to fish for FSC
     purposes?
   – To what extent would the proposed site impact an existing commercial,
     recreational or aboriginal fishery?
   – Where fishery impacts are identified, could the site be relocated in a manner that
     would minimize potential impacts?
   – Would the proposed site potentially result in the establishment of a prohibited area
     under the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program that would impact bivalve
     shellfish harvest (e.g. mussel, oyster, species of special concern)?
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2. Potential Fish, Fish Habitat and
             Environmental Impacts
• DFO’s aim is to minimize and/or mitigate potential impacts on fish, fish
  habitat and the environment (e.g. seabed).
• Siting tools are currently part of the DFO review process and a range
  of information is required to support the review of applications.
• Siting guidelines could include:
    – Do benthic modelling (DEPOMOD) and other factors (e.g. seabed survey,
      current) suggest the site is capable of meeting benthic performance thresholds?
    – Is the proposed site located at a depth of greater than 30m?
    – Would the proposed facility impact habitat which supports CRA fisheries such as
      kelp beds, eelgrass beds, herring or lingcod spawning areas, abalone, etc.?
    – Would the site impact areas with a “protected designation”?
    – Would the proposed site potentially impact SARA listed species?
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3. Fish Health and Wild-Farmed Interactions
• Consistent with responsibilities under the Fisheries Act, DFO’s aim is
  to minimize and/or mitigate potential risks to the health of wild and
  farmed stocks resulting from aquaculture.
• One of the primary tools for managing fish health is through use of
  mandatory Health Management Plans, which include monitoring,
  reporting and other mitigation measures at the site level.
• However, appropriate siting can help reduce the likelihood of disease
  events on farms and potential risks to wild and farmed stocks.
• Given the migratory nature of Pacific salmon, the Department’s
  management approach (including both siting and other management
  measures) is designed to mitigate potential fish health interactions at
  all sites.
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3. Fish Health cont’d
• Siting guidelines could include:

    – Is the proposed site within 3 km of an existing marine finfish farm?
    – Is the proposed site within 1 km of a salmon bearing stream?
    – Does historical fish health data from nearby farms indicate potential issues or
      concerns regarding the proposed site (e.g. presence of particular diseases)?
    – Are there any known endemic disease issues on wild fish stocks in the area of
      the proposed site (e.g. VHS in herring)?
    – Is the area known to be subject to algal blooms?
    – Is the area known to be subject to low dissolved oxygen levels?
    – Is the proposed site located within an estuarine area?

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4. Additional Siting Guidelines
• In addition to the areas outlined above, DFO has identified other
  considerations that could be made explicit through these revised
  guidelines.
• Siting guidelines could include:
    – Is the site subject to Treaty and/or Non-Treaty agreements with First Nations
      which must be considered in the potential licensing of this site?
    – Does the proposed aquaculture facility have a Provincial land tenure, where
      required?
    – Does the proposed aquaculture facility have a Navigable Waters permit, where
      required?

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Science to Inform Decision-Making
• Aquaculture sustainability is research priority for DFO, designed to:
    – Inform regulatory decision-making
    – Support DFO mandate for conservation and health of aquatic animals
    – Improve understanding of wild-farmed interactions and the environment
• Key DFO research programs:
    – Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research (PARR)
    – Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)
• Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS)
    – Primary vehicle for peer-reviewed science advice to the Department
• Related science initiatives and partnerships
    – Scientific Risk Assessment re: fish health / wild-farmed interactions
    – Strategic Salmon Health Initiative (Genome BC)
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Science to Inform Decision-Making (2)
• Analyses to date have been informed by Science Advice from the
  following DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat review
  processes.
   – Aquaculture - Environment Interactions: Scientific Advice for Finfish Cage
     Aquaculture in the Marine Environment
      < http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas/Csas/status/2005/SAR-AS2005_034_E.pdf >
   – Pathways of Effects for Finfish and Shellfish Aquaculture
      < http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2009/2009_071-eng.htm >
   – Sea Lice Monitoring and Non-Chemical Measures
      < http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/publications/sar-as/2014/2014_006-eng.html >
   – Assessment of the Fate of Emamectin Benzoate, the Active Ingredient in
     SLICE®, near Aquaculture Facilities in British Columbia and its Effect on Spot
     Prawns (Pandalus platyceros)
      < http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2011/2011_082-eng.html >

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Science to Inform Decision-Making (3)
– Defining Potential Exposure and Associated Biological Effects from
  Aquaculture Pest and Pathogen Treatments (Part I)
   < http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2012/2012_070-eng.html >
– Guidelines on Defining Potential Exposure and Associated Biological Effects
  from Aquaculture Pest and Pathogen Treatments: Anti-Sea Lice Bath
  Treatments (Part II)
   < http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2013/2013_049-eng.html >
– Assessment of the ability of hydrodynamic and particle tracking models to
  inform decisions on siting and management of marine finfish aquaculture
  facilities in British Columbia
   < http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Schedule-Horraire/2014/01_20-22-eng.html >

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Other Considerations
• Research and further science work is ongoing
   – Any new guidelines will be reviewed periodically to incorporate
     new science or other information as it becomes available (e.g.
     ongoing Risk Assessment related to wild-farmed interactions)
• Opportunities for further input
   – Aquaculture Management Advisory Committee (AMAC) process
   – Aggregate and bilateral discussions with First Nations
   – Bilateral meetings with industry
   – Bilateral meetings with environmental interests
   – Others

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Proposed Timeline and Next Steps
• October-November: Further consultation and engagement with First
  Nations, industry and stakeholder
• December: DFO review of information and feedback provided via
  consultations
• January: Revisions and internal review of revised draft siting
  guidelines
• Spring 2014: finalization and implementation of new siting guidelines

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Discussion Questions
• Views on the key themes outlined in the presentation?
• Views on the potential siting guidelines identified?
• Are there other information or considerations that should be
  reflected in this work?

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Appendix 1: Current DFO Siting Criteria
1.   Is the site situated greater than 1 km from the mouth of a salmon-bearing stream determined as
     significant? (Yes/No)
2.   Is the site situated greater than 1 km from herring spawning areas designated as having “vital”, “major” or
     “high” importance? (Yes/No)
3.   Is the site situated greater than 300 m from intertidal shellfish beds that are exposed to water flow from a
     finfish farm and which have regular or traditional use by First Nations, recreational, or commercial
     fisheries? (Yes/No)
4.   Is the site situated greater than 125 m from all other wild shellfish beds and commercial shellfish growing
     operations? (Yes/No)
5.   Is the site situated an appropriate distance from the areas of “sensitive fish habitat” as determined by
     DFO? (Yes/No)
6.   Is the site situated an appropriate distance from areas used extensively by marine mammals, as
     determined by DFO? (Yes/No)
7.   Is the site situated outside an area that would pre-empt important Aboriginal, commercial or recreational
     fisheries? (Yes/No)
8.   Is the site greater than 3 km from any existing finfish aquaculture site? (Yes/No)
9.   Is the site consistent with objectives contained in the applicable Integrated Management of Aquaculture
     Plan(s)? (Yes/No)
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