ESRF Study | Potential Risks of Seismic Surveys to Snow Crab Resources
February 2021 — Newfoundland and Labrador
An Environmental Studies Research Fund project
Part of ESRF Project 2014-01S, this DFO-led report examines effects of seismic exploration on snow crab catch rates, movement, physiology, and genomic response, to address concerns by snow crab harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador. Field experiments were conducted over four consecutive summers in areas affected by seismic surveying and unaffected areas as a control, in offshore commercial snow crab fishing grounds. The study concludes that, based on factors considered by the experiments, impacts of seismic surveying on commercial snow crab are within the range of natural variability. The results are being used to provide science-based management advice to regulators, interested and affected industries, and the public.
