Research Document 2017/068

Ecological Risk Assessment for the Effects of Human Activities at the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Marine Protected Area

By Thornborough, K., Rubidge, E., and O, M.

Abstract

This project applied the Level 2 Risk Assessment framework proposed by O et al. (2015) to Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Marine Protected Area (EHV MPA) in order to determine relative risks to the EHV MPA ecosystem from anthropogenic activities. The scoping phase identified 11 ecological significant ecological components (SECs) that appropriately represent the EHV MPA (six species SECs, four habitat SECs, and one community SEC) and anthropogenic activities and associated stressors occurring within EHV MPA. The risk assessment determined the interaction between selected SECs and the stressors, and prioritised SECs and stressors on a relative scale within EHV MPA based on estimated cumulative risk. This identification and prioritisation of SECs and stressors is vital for the selection of indicators, and ultimately the development of monitoring plans. The SECs with the highest estimated cumulative risk scores were Ridgeia piscesae (high flux), Ridgeia piscesae (low flux), Paralvinella sulfincola, and the benthic clam bed community. The stressors with the highest estimated potency (cumulative risk by stressor) scores were debris [discharge], substrate disturbance (crushing) [sampling], substrate disturbance (crushing) [submersible operations], and aquatic invasive species [submersible operations]. The uncertainties identified by the risk assessment help to inform Oceans Managers of knowledge gaps and identify priorities for monitoring. The highest uncertainties were associated with potential stressors debris [discharge], aquatic invasive species [submersible operations], and oil [oil spill]. Some criteria outlined by O et al. (2015) for the Level 2 Risk Assessment were not applicable and/or proved challenging to apply without some modification in order to estimate risk. In most cases, this approach was successful, and overall the Level 2 Risk Assessment was effective.

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