Misaine and Banquereau Banks

* Area shaded in green represents the Strategic Environmental Assessment study area.

Location:

The study area mostly covers on the Misaine and Banquereau Bank extends into the Laurentian Channel and into the deeper waters on the Scotian Slope, including portions of the Gully Marine Protected Areas, Shortland and Haldimand Canyons.

Special areas within the study area include a portion of the Gully Marine Protected Area, a portion of St. Anns Bank Marine Protected Area, a portion of the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area, a portion of Shortland and Haldimand Canyons, which are Northern bottlenose whale critical habitat areas and the Lophelia Coral Conservation Area. Sable Island National Park Reserve is located just west of the study area.

Ecosystem:

There are several fish, marine mammal, sea turtle and bird species with special conservation status known to occur within the study area, including the endangered blue whale, North Atlantic right whale, Northern bottlenose whale, leatherback turtle, piping plover and roseate tern.

Commercial and Recreational Uses:

The study area is heavily fished, especially on the banks, with shellfish fisheries (specifically surf clams, snow crab and shrimp) being the popular fisheries. Other types of fisheries in this study area include tuna, swordfish, shark, cod, pollock, haddock, skates and flatfishes.

Other ocean uses in and around the study area include commercial shipping, scientific research and military activity.