Evaluation of Lethal Fish Sampling and the Nonlethal Alternative Under the Canadian Metal and Diamond Mining Environmental Effects Monitoring Program. (13th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kambeitz, Alyse; Wells, Kelly; Rees, Cassandra; Liber, Karsten
• Is Part Of: Integrated environmental assessment and management. Volume 15:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 844
• Page End: 854
• Publication Date: 2019-09-13
• Subjects: Environmental effects monitoring -- Metal and diamond mining effluent regulations -- Fish populations -- Lethal sampling -- Nonlethal sampling; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; 628
• DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1551-3777

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program, federally mandated to metal and diamond mines and mills in Canada, aims to ensure that fish, fish use, and their environment are sufficiently protected by the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER). Concerns have been raised regarding lethal fish sampling conducted for the program and the potential risk to fish populations. This study endeavored to calculate the extent of fish sacrificed during lethal EEM fish surveys to provide a more informed characterization for stakeholders. By extrapolating data from 28 studies conducted at 8 metal mines in Saskatchewan between 2004 and 2017, it was conservatively estimated that 60 060 ± 19 978 fish have been sacrificed for the program nationwide since its promulgation in 2002. This is almost 2 times greater than guidance recommendations due to numerous factors. Challenges faced when implementing the nonlethal fish population survey alternative were also evaluated, and some of these included data interpretation inconsistencies due to the lack of critical effect sizes (CES) included in the regulations for nonlethal effect endpoints, and reliance on capturing young of the year fish to assess the prescribed effect endpoints. Finally, a case study conducted to evaluate the congruity of lethal and nonlethal fish population survey results identified that the effect endpoints often produced conflicting conclusions for the same response variable. Ultimately, this study highlights that in order to strengthen and promote the use of nonlethal fish sampling as an alternate to the current standard of conducting lethal fish population surveys under the EEM program, the effect endpoints, study designs, and adoption of CES need to be thoroughly evaluated and included in the MDMER. If nonlethal sampling designs adequately provide the required data and meet program objectives, then there would be no need to continue sacrificing fish for the Canadian metal and diamond mining EEM program. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:1–10. © 2019 SETAC Key Points: Based on Saskatchewan metal mining Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) data, it is conservatively estimated that 60 060 ± 19 978 fish have been sacrificed for the program across Canada since the program was initiated in 2002. This is almost 2 times greater than guidance recommendations. The opportunity exists to utilize nonlethal EEM sampling designs when warranted, but inconsistencies and challenges with the guidance and nonlethal effect endpoints, as well as the lack of critical effect sizes for such endpoints in the regulations, continue to prioritize lethal sampling designs. Nonlethal and lethal EEM fish population survey effect endpoints were found to produce conflicting conclusions, which does not instill confidence that the results indicate there are fish population effects or provide the intended information to meet EEM program objectives. If nonlethal sampling designs adequately provide the required data and meet program objectives, then there would be no need to continue sacrificing fish for the Canadian metal and diamond mining EEM program.