Terms of Reference
A synthesis of the outcomes from the Strait of Georgia Ecosystem Research Initiative, and their ecosystem-based management and policy implications
Regional Peer Review - Pacific Region
11-13 September 2012
Nanaimo, B.C.
Chairperson: Marilyn Joyce
Context
Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) has committed to a sustainable, precautionary and integrated ecosystem approach to oceans management. To support the development and implementation of such an approach, seven Ecosystem Research Initiatives (ERIs) were established by DFO Science to facilitate integrated research on a particular ecosystem with predefined geographical boundaries. The overall purpose of the ERIs was to serve as a pilot for DFO's ecosystem-based approach and enhancing the capacity to provide scientific advice in support of ecosystem approaches to management. Going forward, knowledge gained from these large scale ecosystem studies would allow the development and testing of tools required to manage human activities within broader aquatic ecosystems.
In Pacific Region, the Strait of Georgia was selected as the pilot study ecosystem. The Strait of Georgia Ecosystem Research Initiative began in January 2008, and concluded its directly-funded phase on 31 March 2012.
The main objectives of the Initiative were to 1) improve understanding of how the ecosystem system works (e.g. what controls the productivity?); 2) examine the impact of the drivers of change on the ecosystem and consider how these drivers might change in the future (what controls the resilience?); and 3) develop ecosystem-related science-based management and decision-making tools to support healthy and sustainable marine resources.
Key results from this Initiative pertaining to these objectives will be presented and their implications for an ecosystem approach to managing human interactions with the Strait of Georgia ecosystem will be examined in this peer review process. In addition to the advice pertaining to ecosystem based management in Pacific Region, the results of this process will provide important contributions to a national DFO CSAS process on lessons learned from the ERI programs in each region, which is scheduled for November 2012.
Objectives
- Provide a synthesis (based largely on the Strait of Georgia Ecosystem Research Initiative) of how the Strait of Georgia ecosystem works (what controls the productivity), what drivers of change are acting on the Strait, and how these drivers might change in the future;
- Identify potential issues and specific recommendations for management attention within an ecosystem approach to management that result from (1), including examples of specific applications of existing DFO ecosystem-related policies (e.g. forage fish policy);
- Provide guidance on tools developed and used during the Strait of Georgia Ecosystem Research Initiative for generating science advice within an ecosystem context;
- Identify critical knowledge gaps and future research needs to advance the development of integrated ecosystem assessments and management approaches in Pacific Region;
- Provide lessons learned and recommendations on how to deliver Science advice for an ecosystem approach to management in Pacific Region.
Discussions and advice will be based on the following working paper:
Perry, R.I. et al. The Strait of Georgia in an ecosystem context: a synthesis of key findings and management implications from the DFO Pacific Ecosystem Research Initiative. CSAP Working Paper 2012/P59.
Expected publications
- CSAS Science Advisory Report (1)
- CSAS Research Document (1)
- CSAS Proceedings
Participation
- DFO Science Branch
- DFO Fisheries and Aquatic Management Branch
- DFO Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement Branch
- Parks Canada
- Province of BC
- Commercial and recreational fishing interests
- First Nations organizations
- Non-government organizations
- Academia
References
Notice
Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.
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