Public Registry: SEAs

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

Location:

The location of the SEA project area encompasses the western portion of the Scotian Shelf and Slope and includes all, or portions of Browns Bank, Baccaro Bank, LaHave Bank, and Emerald Bank. The study area also extends into Georges Basin and the Northeast Channel in the west, Roseway Basin in the North, and LaHave Basin and Emerald Basin in the east and into the deeper waters on the Scotian Slope in the south including Corsairs and Georges Canyons.

Special Areas within the study area include the Georges Bank Prohibition Area, Roseway Basin North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat, Fisheries Act closure areas (e.g. Corsairs and Georges Canyons Conservation Area for corals and sponges), the Fundian Channel and Browns Bank Area of Interest and Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas.

Ecosystem:

There are fish, marine mammal, sea turtle and bird species with special conservation status known to occur in the study area, including Northern wolffish, Atlantic salmon, white shark, blue whale, fin whale, North Atlantic right whale, Northern bottlenose whale, leatherback sea turtle and loggerhead sea turtle.

Commercial and Recreational Uses:

The study area encompasses portions of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Divisions 4W, 4X, and 5Ze, and is heavily fished for shellfish (e.g. lobster, scallop, crab) and ground fish especially on the banks. Some examples of groundfish found in the area include haddock, pollock, cod, skate, and flatfish. Indigenous communal commercial fisheries and Food, Social and Ceremonial fisheries may take place in the study area.   

Longline fisheries, including tuna, swordfish and shark fisheries, are primarily concentrated along the shelf break and in deeper waters on the Scotian Slope.

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

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

Location:

The study area is bounded by the Laurentian Channel to the north and Cape Breton Island to the south and west. The study area consists of the Orpheus Graben to the east and the Sydney Basin to the north of Cape Breton.

A number of marine and coastal areas within and around the study area have been designated as special areas. These special areas include Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the St. Anns Bank Marine Protected Area, the Big Glace Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary and 15 important Bird Areas. The study area is also next to the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area, which is located in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area. 

Ecosystem:

Within the study area, there are fish, marine mammal, sea turtle and bird species with special conservation status, including species of wolffish and the white shark, piping plover, leatherback turtle (Atlantic population), the blue whale, fin whale, Northern bottlenose whale, Sowerby’s Beaked whale, beluga whale and the North Atlantic right whale.   

Commercial and Recreational Uses:

Commercial harvesting is conducted throughout the year and includes snow crab, lobster, shrimp, halibut, turbot, cod, haddock, pollock, hake, plaice, redfish, tuna, mackerel, herring, sea urchin and scallop. Shellfish (mussels and oysters) and salmon aquaculture is an emerging component of the local fishery. Recreational fisheries, Indigenous communal commercial fisheries, and Food, Social and Ceremonial fisheries take place in the study area.    

Other ocean uses in the area include commercial shipping, ferry service to Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as whale and sea bird tours, research vessels, military activities and other commercial and recreational activity.

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

Location:

The study area predominantly covers the Western Scotian Slope and extends into shallower waters on the Scotian Shelf and deeper waters on the Scotian Rise.

Special areas within the study area include Roseway Basin Critical Habitat for the endangered North Atlantic right whale, the Northeast Channel Coral Conservation Area, the Western/Emerald Banks Conservation Area and the Georges Bank Moratorium Area. Sable Island National Park Reserve and the Gully Marine Protected Area are located east 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 and leatherback turtle.

Commercial and Recreational Uses:

The study area encompasses portions of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Divisions 4W, 4X and 5Ze, with most fishing in the study area concentrated on the shelf break. Types of fisheries include scallop, lobster, crab, cod halibut, flatfish, haddock and hake. Large tuna, swordfish and shark fisheries also occur in deeper waters on the Scotian Slope and Rise.

Other ocean uses in and around the study area include commercial shipping, scientific research and military activity. To the south is the BP Canada Energy Group ULC owned Exploration Licence 2434R and to the southwest are the Equinor Canada Ltd. owned Exploration Licences 2435 and 2436.

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

Location:

The Strategic Environmental Assessment study area mostly covers the Eastern Scotian Slope and Laurentian Fan, extends into the Laurentian Channel and onto Banquereau Bank and includes several submarine canyons, including Shortland and Haldimand Canyons.

Special areas within the study area include the Gully Marine Protected Area, 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 and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area is located to the east 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 Banquereau Bank, with shellfish fisheries (specifically surf clams) and the Laurentian Channel, with ground fisheries (Atlantic halibut, and redfish) being the most popular fisheries.

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