Review, evaluation, and recommendations for marine mammal deterrence methods used at aquaculture operations

1.1 Title Review, evaluation, and recommendations for marine mammal deterrence methods used at aquaculture operations 1.2 Contracting Period The period of the Contract is from contract award through to November 15, 2018 1.3 Introduction The contract encompasses a research project that is to be a targeted review and evaluation of management methods that deter or prevent marine mammal interactions with gear at aquaculture facilities. This review and evaluation will serve to inform a deterrence methods best practice “Recommendation List”, based on the criteria of effectiveness and humaneness, which the contractor will develop based on guidance from the project authority. The Recommendation List will serve to support the Government of Canada commitment to protect marine mammals by informing industry practice on non-lethal deterrence. 1.4 Objectives of the Requirement The objective of the contract is to complete a review and evaluation of management methods that deter or prevent marine mammal interactions with aquaculture facilities. This review and evaluation will serve to inform a deterrence method “Recommendation List”, based on criteria of effectiveness and humaneness developed by the project authority. The Recommendation List will serve to support the Government of Canada commitment to protect marine mammals by informing industry practice on non-lethal deterrence. 1.5 Background, Assumptions and Specific Scope of the Requirement Mitigating the impacts of aquaculture activities on marine mammals is a priority for federal and provincial governments, the aquaculture sector, environmental advocacy groups, and international stakeholders (such as the United States). Marine mammal deterrence methods may vary in effectiveness and humaneness depending on the environment in which they are employed, and also depending on the species targeted. For example, some deterrence methods may be effective in humanely preventing interactions with pinnipeds, but may cause unintended negative consequences for cetaceans. The contractor’s evaluation must address the complex interaction of deterrence methods in different ecosystems. The project should cover deterrence practices for a diverse set of marine mammal species, including pinniped and cetacean species, while focusing on those that most commonly interact with marine aquaculture facilities in Canada (California sea lions, Harbour seals, Grey seals, Humpback whales, etc.). Dependent on data availability, the project could cover additional aquatic species that commonly interact with aquaculture facilities, including sea turtles, sharks, or birds. This paper should include a comprehensive review of deterrence practices in Canadian provinces with marine aquaculture (British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island). In addition, management methods used in other leading aquaculture countries, such as Norway, Scotland, Chile, and the United States (U.S.), should be reviewed and evaluated for effectiveness and humaneness. Moreover, this project must address marine mammal interactions and deterrence methods with a variety of aquaculture gear. For example, finfish net-pen gear, long-line mussel gear, oyster trays, etc. Once this data is compiled, the contractor must evaluate the effectiveness and the humaneness of deterrence methods. The contractor will develop a Recommendation List based on the outcome of the evaluation, which will serve to guide Canadian industry on effective and humane deterrence methods at marine aquaculture facilities. The List must be comprehensive and address regional differences in practice. This evaluation must also address deterrence method compliance with the United States’ Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provisions (MMPA Import Provisions), and other market access considerations for key Canadian export destinations. The Recommendation List will address practices already in use, new practices/technologies under development, and areas where further research/development may be required. The requested paper will incorporate the knowledge and experience of regional (federal or provincial/territorial) regulators and administrators, industry, as well as international examples, regarding the deterrence of marine mammals at aquaculture facilities. The contract should examine non-lethal deterrent methods presently used in Canada, their effectiveness and humaneness, impact on other aquatic animals, best practises from aquaculture-producing countries, and gaps in research and development in regards to deterrence technologies.