Research Document 2019/004

Development of risk-based indicators for the Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area

By Thornborough, K, and Dunham, J.

Abstract

The Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound (HS/QCS) Glass Sponge Reefs Complex is the latest Pacific Region Marine Protected Area (MPA) designated by the Government of Canada in February 2017. This work proposes suites of risk-based indicators to monitor the biodiversity in the HS/QCS MPA, selected using an ecological risk-based indicator selection framework. An ecological risk assessment framework was applied to determine the relative risk to the MPA ecosystem from anthropogenic activities. Using the outputs of an ecological risk assessment process (based on the Pacific Region Ecological Risk Assessment Framework; O et al. 2015), an ecological risk-based indicator selection framework was then applied to the MPA to select and prioritize ecological risk-based indicators. These indicators can be used to monitor the risk of harm to Significant Ecosystem Components (SECs) from anthropogenic activities and associated stressors. This work proposes separate suites of risk-based indicators for current snapshot stressors (predictable, and occurring most years) and potential stressors (unpredictable, and occurring infrequently), and both incorporated SEC specific, stressor specific, and SEC-stressor interaction indicators. Measures of abundance are commonly proposed across the indicator suites, highlighting the need to establish baselines of information as a priority. Both current snapshot and potential stressor indicator suites should be considered when developing monitoring strategies and plans, using a combination of SEC-specific, stressor-specific, and SEC-stressor interaction indicators. Due to the remote access and associated cost of monitoring indicators at the HS/QCS MPA, many of the suggested indicators may be measured using visual surveys and, due to the overlapping distribution of several SECs, multiple indicators may be measured or sampled during the same survey operations period. As data are collected through the monitoring of indicators, this information may be fed back into the adaptive management framework for future iterations of risk assessments, evaluation of selected indicators, selection of new indicators, and refinement of monitoring plans.

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