Research Document 2017/057

Application of a framework to assess vulnerability of biological components to ship-source oil spills in the marine environment in the Pacific Region

By Hannah, L., St. Germain, C., Jeffery, S., Patton, S., and O, M.

Abstract

This paper examines the effectiveness of a framework to assess the vulnerability of biological components to ship-source oil spills in the marine environment (hereafter termed the “framework”) developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Thornborough et al. 2017) through a pilot application in the Pacific region. This pilot application of the framework is intended to be relevant to all biota in the (on-shelf) Pacific region. The functionality of the components of the framework method was assessed in this pilot application, and modifications made were deemed necessary with the support of regional subject matter experts. The objectives of this pilot application were to:

1. Assess, and where necessary, adapt sub-groups (representing marine biota) so that they are appropriate to Pacific Region biota and structured so that their vulnerabilities to oil can be discerned by the scoring criteria (based on their biological and ecological traits);
2. Assess, and where necessary, adapt criteria and definitions through testing of the framework; and
3. Identify a list of sub-groups most vulnerable to a ship-source oil spill in the Pacific region by scoring adapted sub-groups for vulnerability criteria and applying a screening and ranking process.

Knowledge gaps were identified at each stage in the framework to highlight areas for prioritised research activities. The primary outcome of the pilot application is a list of ranked sub-groups identified as being most vulnerable to a ship-source oil spill in the Pacific region. Overall, the relative vulnerability rankings determined by the adapted method aligned well with the outputs from studies and oil spill literature, and support the framework as a simple and rapid method to assess oil vulnerability. The outputs of the pilot application of the adapted framework will inform oil spill response planning for areas of interest within the Pacific Region (such as pilot areas for the World Class Tanker Safety System (WCTSS) initiative), and will assist in identifying priority reponse-relevant spatial data for those marine biological subgroups identified as being most vulnerable to spilled oil. This work contributes towards meeting the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) commitment to ensuring sustainable aquatic ecosystems.

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