ARCHIVED - Consultations on Ecosystem Overview and Assessment Report (EOAR) for the Northumberland Strait

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Consultations on
Ecosystem Overview and Assessment Report (EOAR)
for the Northumberland Strait

February 28, 2006

Report on Consultations

Prepared for:
The Northumberland Strait Ecosystem Initiative Working Group
By:
GTA Consultants

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

GTA consultants would like to thank everyone who took the time to express their views on the state of the marine resources and environment of the Northumberland Strait through the consultation meetings, or through oral or written submissions. We believe that the points raised are extremely important. There is in fact a broad consensus that significant new efforts are needed to reduce threats to the Strait ecosystem that are serious and advanced.
GTA Consultants would also like to thank the Members of the Northumberland Strait Ecosystem Initiative Working Group and the following individuals for their valuable contributions to planning, organization, facilitation and/or report production for these consultations:

For the organization and conduct of the New Brunswick consultations:

- Patrick Emond, Bassin Versant de Cap Pelé
- Eric Arsenault, Maritime Fishermen’s Union
- Bernadette Robichaud, Office Manager, GTA Consultants

For the organization and conduct of the Prince Edward Island consultations:

- The organizing committee

Ed Frenette, PEI Fishermen’s Association
Irene Novaczek, Institute of Island Studies, University of PEI
Tim Hainer, Maritime Aboriginal Aquatic Resources Secretariat
Barry MacPhee, PEI Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Laura Fanning, UPEI
Florence Larkin, Project Coordinator

- Facilitators and Recorders

Irene Novaczek
Judy Gallant
Tim Hainer
Frances White
Laura Fanning
Leah MacLeod
Florence Larkin, Project Coordinator
Margie Loo
Arja Page
Judy Bayliss
Sandy Kowalik

For the organization and conduct of the Nova Scotia consultations:

- Kay Wallace, Coordinator, Gulf Nova Scotia Fleet Planning Board
- Ronnie Heighton, President, Gulf Nova Scotia Fleet Planning Board
- Karen Lam, Administrator & Researcher, PRAXIS Research & Consulting Inc.

For coordination, resource persons and technical advice:

- Dave Dunn, Oceans and Habitat, Gulf Region DFO
- Pierre Mallet, Oceans and Habitat, Gulf Region DFO
- Wade Landsburg, Oceans and Habitat, Gulf Region DFO
- Delly Keen, DFO
- Krista Petersen, Communications, Gulf Region DFO

Regional coordination and report production

- Gilles Thériault, President, GTA Consultants en pêche, Moncton, NB
- Hank Scarth, Consultant, Moncton, NB
- Rick Williams, President, PRAXIS Research and Consulting Inc., Halifax, NS

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The Consultation Process
1.2. The Engagement Process

2. POINTS OF BROAD AGREEMENT OR CONCERN ON ISSUES AND ACTION PRIORITIES

2.1. Process and Implementation Issues

2.1.1. The EOAR Process
2.1.2. Governance, Lines of Responsibility, Jurisdiction, Capacity to Manage the Ecosystem

2.2. Socio-Economic Impacts
2.3. Causes and Core Problems

2.3.1. Water Quality
2.3.2. Physical Environment, Habitat, Climate, etc.
2.3.3. Fish Biology, Food Supplies, Interspecies Relationships, etc.

2.4. Research and Consultation Issues

2.4.1. Historical Trend Analyses
2.4.2. Socio-Economic Issues
2.4.3. Water Quality
2.4.4. Physical Environment, Habitat, Climate, etc.
2.4.5. Fish Biology, Food Supplies, Interspecies Relationships, etc.
2.4.6. Fishing Practices, Technology, Management Plans, etc.
2.4.7. Attitudes and Education

3. CONCLUSION

4. APPENDIX A – STAKEHOLDER INPUT

4.1. Water Quality

4.1.1. History, Nature and Extent of Changes Observed
4.1.2. Perceived Causes
4.1.3. Solutions
4.1.4. Priorities for Research and Consultation

4.2. Physical Environment, Habitat, Climate, etc.

4.2.1. History, Nature and Extent of Changes Observed
4.2.2. Perceived Causes
4.2.3. Solutions
4.2.4. Priorities for Research and Consultation

4.3. Fish Biology, Food Supplies, Interspecies Relationships, etc.

4.3.1. History, Nature and Extent of Changes Observed
4.3.2. Perceived Causes
4.3.3. Solutions
4.3.4. Priorities for Research and Consultation

4.4. Fishing Practices, Technology, Management Plans, etc.

4.4.1. History, Nature and Extent of Changes Observed
4.4.2. Perceived Causes
4.4.3. Solutions
4.4.4. Priorities for Research and Consultation

4.5. Governance Issues, Lines of Responsibility, Jurisdiction, Capacity to Manage the Ecosystem

4.5.1. History, Nature and Extent of Changes Observed
4.5.2. Solutions

4.6. Socio-Economic Impacts
4.7. Process Issues Associated with the EOAR

5. APPENDIX B - MEETINGS HELD

6. APPENDIX C - OVERVIEW OF WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS