ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATION REPORT SHELL CANADA LIMITED 2014 SHELBURNE BASIN VENTURE SEABED SURVEY

Transcription

1 ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATION REPORT SHELL CANADA LIMITED 2014 SHELBURNE BASIN VENTURE SEABED SURVEY 3 rd June 12 th June; 12 th October 3 rd November 2014 Aurthor: RPS Energy Canada Ltd. Date: November 30, 2014

2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction Project Details Sea State and Visibility Mitigative and Monitoring Requirements Marine Mammal Observer Program MMO Staffing and Responsibilities Marine Mammal Observation Methods Marine Mammal and Sea turtle Observations Bird Sightings Bird Observations Stranded and Dead Birds References...12 List of Figures Figure 1. Location of the 2014 Shelburne Sub basin Geohazard and Seabed Sampling Project.2 Figure 2. Marine Mammal Sightings...7 Figure 3-Seabird Sightings...11 List of Tables Table 1. Overall Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Sightings both phases of the Project....6 Table 2. Total counts for all Sea Bird Sightings for the Project....8 Appendix A i

3 1 INTRODUCTION From June 3 to 12 and October 12 to November 3, Shell Canada Limited (Shell) conducted a Seabed Survey, The (the Project), offshore Nova Scotia, Canada. The Project was located approximately 300 km south-southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia within the Scotian Slope in a geological area known as the Shelburne Basin. This Project was designed to further assess prospective well locations identified through seismic data as part of Shell s Shelburne Basin Venture 3D Seismic Survey conducted in The Project was split into two components: a seabed survey utilizing a multi-beam echo sounder to map the seafloor, and a Seabed Sampling Program in which seafloor videos and sediment samples were acquired. The purpose of this report is to summarize the Environmental Observations made from the vessels utilized during this Project. The spatial boundaries for the Project are shown in Figure 1 below. The 2014 Survey Area is the area outlined in red, limited multi-beam work was conducted in the area and seabed sampling occurred at five specific sites within the Survey Area. Figure 1. Location of the Project 2

4 1.1 PROJECT DETAILS The two components of this Project were multi-beam data acquisition and seabed sampling operations. The components of the survey were conducted over two different time periods and utilizing two different vessels. Both survey components were completed by Fugro GeoSurveys. Further details on the individual components of the Project are found below. The Project experienced significant downtime due to weather, as is outlined in Section 1.2 'Sea State and visibility'. The first component of the Project included multi-beam echo sounder data acquisition and some seabed video work when the sea state allowed. The second component of the Project included only seabed sampling.. This component required fair seas of approx 2.5m or less in which to conduct work. The research vessel RV Coriolis II was the operating platform contracted for the portion of the Project work conducted from June 3 to June 12. RV Coriolis II is a research vessel constructed in 1990 and based out of Rimouski, Quebec. The M/V Maersk Chignecto was the operating platform contracted for the Project work conducted from October 12 to November 3. Maersk Chignecto is an anchor- handling vessel based in St. John's, Newfoundland, built in 1983 and equipped with dynamic positioning capabilities. The Seabed Sampling procedure at each of the sampling sites was comprised of three parts. Firstly, a marine camera was towed over the area and the footage reviewed onboard to ensure that there were not significant densities of benthic epifauna. Upon receiving camera clearance, 5 box cores and one piston core were taken to acquire both shallow and deep sediment profile information respectively. Four of the five sites were considered completed by Project's end, with the last being removed from the Program. 1.2 SEA STATE AND VISIBILITY The sea conditions during the survey were moderate to rough for most of the survey with occasional 2-3 day stretches of fair <2m sea conditions Visibility was fair to excellent for the majority of the Project, with some foggy conditions being seen at the beginning of the Project and around Newfoundland during transit. Occasional squalls and rainstorms would compromise visibility for a brief amount of time. Operations on the Project would halt for inclement sea conditions. During periods of rough weather the vessel would typically go into 'standby' mode and ride out the weather in the vicinity of the desired survey site. Several weather systems prompted the vessel to move closer inshore and berth in Shelburne or Halifax harbour. 3

5 2 MITIGATIVE AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS The Project did not utilize seismic sources. Shell nonetheless committed to the implementation of the following mitigation and monitoring measures to reduce any potential environmental effects of the Project: observation for signs of distress in marine mammals sighted during multi-beam echo sounder data acquisition activities. observation to ensure collision avoidance with any marine mammals or sea turtles observed in close proximity to the vessel reporting protocol for any injured or dead marine animals that were observed reporting of spills or oil slicks observed on the water handling and release procedures for seabirds stranded on the vessel. 3 MARINE MAMMAL OBSERVER PROGRAM The marine mammal and seabird observer (MMSO) program provided: data on the occurrence, distribution, and activities of marine mammals in the areas where the survey program was conducted; collision avoidance in the unlikely event of a potential marine mammal vessel strike, employment and capacity building for local residents; and daily observational records of marine mammal and seabird. All MMSOs on this Project were experienced individuals with at least 1 year of offshore seismic observation/mitigation experience as well as other marine experience (lab work, fisheries observation, whale watching, etc.) Training courses held by the observers on this Project included the following: Marine Mammal Observer training (for both Canadian waters and the Gulf of Mexico) Seabird Observer Training (by Fulton Lavender in 2013; and by Carina Gjerdrum in 2014) Marine First Aid Training Marine Emergency Duties (MEDA1) Offshore Helicopter Safety Training (SSTL; one day) Basic Offshore Safety Induction & Emergency Training (BOSIET) Behaviour-based Safety Training (by Stu McLea of Peerless Marine Surveyors; one day) WHMIS Shell online courses 3.1 MMO STAFFING AND RESPONSIBILITIES There were two MMSOs on board the survey vessel from June 3 to 12 during the multibeam echo sounder activities. From October 12 to November 3 when seabed sampling activities were 4

6 occurring, only one MMSO was on board the survey vessel. The key responsibilities of MMSOs were as follows: Implement MMSO protocols established for the Project; Conduct systematic seabird surveys in accordance with Eastern Canada Seabirds at Sea (ECSAS) Standardized Protocol for Pelagic Seabird Surveys from Moving and Stationary Platforms (Gjerdrum et al. 2012). Perform daily searches of vessels for stranded birds and implement appropriate protocol for any stranded birds found Compile daily and weekly sightings reports The two MMSOs working on the survey vessel during the initial phase of the Project (June 3 to June 12) were tasked with visual monitoring for marine mammals and seabirds during all daylight hours and alternated watches to share observation time evenly, with no watch exceeding 4 hours in length and no MMSO working more than 12 hours per day. The single MMSO on board the survey vessel during the second phase of the survey (October 12 to November 3) was tasked with collecting 4-6 hours of bird surveys per day and to record incidental mammal sightings. 3.2 MARINE MAMMAL OBSERVATION METHODS MMOs conducted long distance scans for marine mammals with binoculars, in addition to conducting continuous scans without binoculars. Sea surface cues used by the observers to detect animals included the following: Surface blows from cetacean species; Splashes (often the initial cue for small cetaceans); Breaching of cetacean species; Sightings of backs, flukes and dorsal fins; Underwater shapes or coloured patches; Feeding seabird flocks (often associated with feeding cetaceans); The distance of any sighting from the vessel was estimated using reticle binoculars to measure the vertical angle of the line of sight to the animal relative to the horizon. Distances were also estimated by comparing to known distances (e.g. the length of the vessel) and rangefinder sticks. Forms created by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) were used for collection of visual marine mammal sighting data. Data sheets provided by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) were used for seabird surveys and to record data on any stranded seabirds. 5

7 4 MARINE MAMMAL AND SEA TURTLE OBSERVATIONS There were a total of 34 visual observations collected for the duration of the Project including 323 individual animals (Table 1). Marine mammals and sea turtles have been presented together in the following table and figure. There were no injured or dead marine animals observed over the course of this Project. There were two occasions where the vessel slightly altered course to ensure that there was no chance of striking a nearby cetacean. None of the species of marine mammal or sea turtle visually observed during the Project are listed as a Species at Risk, though there is a possibility of the unidentified baleen whale being a Species at Risk. Table 1. Cumulative Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Observations. Species Total number of Sightings Total number of Individuals Common Dolphin Humpback Whale 1 2 Loggerhead Turtle 1 1 Long-finned Pilot Whale 1 2 Risso's Dolphin 2 12 Sei Whale 1 1 Sperm Whale 6 7 Striped Dolphin 2 24 Unidentified Baleen Whale 1 1 Unidentified Dolphin 3 20 TOTAL

8 Figure 2. Marine Mammal Sightings 7

9 5 BIRD SIGHTINGS Seabird observations were undertaken by the MMSOs onboard the survey vessel during both phases of this Project. The second phase (October 12 to November 3) of the Project focussed more heavily on bird observation than the initial phase which included a multibeam echo sounder component. Seabird surveys were conducted in accordance with Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) seabird recording protocols. The seabird surveys consisted of: moving platform surveys (conducted during multibeam activities, vessel standby due to weather, and transit) in which 5 minute watches continued back-to-back for as long as comfortably feasible (typically ~one hour), and stationary platform surveys (conducted during on-site dynamic positioning Seabed Sampling operations) in which birds were surveyed once every hour. Incidental seabird sightings were also recorded, but were not considered part of the official CWS seabird survey counts. As CWS surveys were conducted during transit there were observations made after the official project end on October 31 st. 5.1 BIRD OBSERVATIONS A total of 25 species of seabirds were seen over the course of this project with a total of 921 individual birds sighted, as outlined in Table 2 below. Table 2 includes all bird sightings from both phases of the project including those made during CWS stationary platform surveys, CWS moving platform surveys, and incidental bird sightings between CWS surveys. Error! Reference source not found. shows the distribution of seabirds sighted during CWS surveys (moving and stationary) during the seabed Sampling phase of the Project. Table 2. Total counts for all Sea Bird Sightings for the Project. Species Total number of Sightings Total number of Individuals Atlantic Puffin 3 4 Common Loon 1 1 Common Murre 9 16 Common Tern 1 1 Cory's Shearwater Double-crested Cormorant 2 3 Great Black-backed Gull Great Shearwater Great Skua 3 5 Herring Gull Leach's Storm Petrel Northern Fulmar Northern Gannet Pomarine Jaeger 8 10 Red Phalarope 2 7 8

10 Sooty Shearwater 9 12 Thick-billed Murre 1 1 Wilson's Storm Petrel 3 3 Unknown Duck 1 4 Unknown Gull 4 4 Unknown Jeager 1 1 Unknown Phalarope 1 1 Unknown Shearwater 3 3 Unknown Skua 1 1 Unknown Storm Petrel 6 6 TOTAL A total of minute CWS moving platform surveys were completed: 83 during the first phase (June 3 to 12) and 580 during the second phase (October 12 to November 3). 240 of these surveys had at least one bird species sighting during the five minutes, while the remaining 423 were surveys in which no birds were seen. There were 35 stationary CWS surveys completed, 16 of which had at least one species of bird sighted. 9

11 F 10

12 Figure 3-Seabird Sightings There were also a variety of terrestrial birds observed flying around and landing on the vessel over the course of the Project. These bird sightings included dark-eyed juncos, mourning doves, house finches, Acadian flycatchers, peregrine falcons, and a merlin, among others. During the Seabed Sampling phase several of these terrestrial birds found their way into the vessel through open doors but all were ushered outside safely. 5.2 STRANDED AND DEAD BIRDS Shell obtained a Migratory Bird Handling Permit from CWS for the purposes of handling, release, and disposal of any stranded or dead seabirds encountered during the survey. MMSOs conducted daily searches of the individual vessels for any stranded or dead birds. Additionally, any incidental findings by crewmembers were reported to the MMSOs to ensure that the appropriate handling procedures were followed. Procedures outlined in The Leach's Storm-Petrel: General information and handling instructions (Williams and Chardine, n.d.) and developed by CWS were used for the purposes of handling and release of any stranded seabirds. No deceased birds were found during either phase of the Project. One Leach's storm petrel was found alive on the Coriolis II on June 10th. It was placed in a box and allowed to rest/recover before being released in the evening, as per the seabird handling protocol. 11

13 6 REFERENCES Gjerdrum, C., D.A. Fifield, and S.I. Wilhelm Eastern Canada Seabirds at Sea (ECSAS) standardized protocol for pelagic seabird surveys from moving and stationary platforms. Canadian Wildlife Service Technical Report Series No Atlantic Region. vi + 37 pp. Williams, U. and Chardine, J. The Leach's Storm-Petrel: General information and handling instructions. 12

14 Appendix A Breakdown tables of marine animal and seabird sightings by Project phase. Table A 1 - Marine Animals Sighted during continuous daytime observation June 3 rd - June 12 th, Species Number of Sightings Number of Individuals Common Dolphin 9 54 Loggerhead Turtle 1 1 Long-Finned Pilot Whale 1 2 Risso's Dolphin 1 8 Sei Whale 1 1 Sperm Whale 2 3 Unidentified Dolphin 1 3 Table A 2 - Marine Animals Sighted incidentally during Seabird Observations October 12 th - November 3 rd, Species Number of Sightings Number of Individuals Common Dolphin Humpback Whale 1 2 Risso's Dolphin 1 4 Sperm Whale 4 4 Striped Dolphin 2 24 Unidentified Baleen Whale 1 1 Unidentified dolphin 2 17 Table A 3 - Seabirds Sighted during CWS Seabird Surveys June 3 rd - June 12 th, Species Number of Sightings Number of Individuals Great Shearwater 9 9 Wilson's Storm Petrel

15 Table A 4 - Seabird Sighted incidentally during continuous daytime observation June 3 rd - June 12 th, Species Number of Sightings Number of Individuals Common Murre 1 1 Common Tern 1 1 Great Black-Backed Gull 1 1 Great Shearwater Pomarine Jaeger 1 1 Sooty Shearwater 4 5 Wilson's Storm Petrel 2 2 Unknown Skua 1 1 Unknown Storm Petrel 6 6 Table A 5 - Seabirds Sighted during CWS Seabird Surveys October 12 th - November 3 rd, Species Number of Sightings Number of Individuals Atlantic Puffin 3 4 Common Loon 1 1 Common Murre 8 15 Cory's Shearwater Double-Crested Cormorant 2 3 Great Black-Backed Gull Great Shearwater Great Skua 3 5 Herring Gull Leach's Storm Petrel Northern Fulmar Northern Gannet Pomarine Jaeger 7 9 Red Phalarope 2 7 Sooty Shearwater 5 7 Thick-Billed Murre 1 1 Unknown Duck 1 4 Unknown Gull 3 3 Unknown Jaeger 1 1 Unknown Phalarope 1 1 Unknown Shearwater

16 Table A 6- Seabirds Sighed incidentally between CWS Seabird Surveys October 12 th - November 3 rd, Species Number of Sightings Number of Individuals Cory's Shearwater 9 34 Great Black-Backed Gull 3 4 Great Shearwater 7 15 Herring Gull 1 6 Leach's Storm Petrel 3 3 Northern Fulmar 1 1 Northern Gannet 4 4 Unknown Gull