Terms of Reference

Science Advice for Pathways of Effects for Marine Shipping

National Peer Review - National Capital Region

October 1-3, 2013
Ottawa, ON

Co-Chairpersons: Mike Stoneman and Cecilia Lougheed

Context

As the department moves towards an ecosystem approach, the development and implementation of standards and codes of practice are becoming increasingly important. The development of pathways of effects (PoEs) has been identified as a first step in the process for identifying the stressors that will have the greatest impact on ecological components, and whether there are any gaps in our knowledge base.

The PoEs will help assist with risk prediction and estimation of potential impacts, engage with stakeholders who have an interest in marine shipping, inform government decision-makers and industry to assist in ocean planning exercises and environmental assessments, and provide greater direction on where to focus potential mitigation measures. In addition, the PoEs can be used as a tool to conduct more specific risk assessments for valued ecosystem components. Scientific advice on the PoEs is required before any kind of detailed threat assessment can be conducted.  The scope for this process will include the review of the resulting effects on habitat, species and communities from pressures such as oil spills, noise, strikes, ice breaking, anchorage, grounding, discharge, aerial contamination and deposition, and water contamination.  This process will not include dredging or building infrastructure as these issues are covered by other programs.

Objectives

What are the major pathways between marine shipping activities, the pressures they generate and their potential ecological impacts?

This national peer review process will be based on Pathways of Effects (PoE) models, where the following areas would be validated and assessed by experts:

1. Identification/validation of each known pathway;
2. Description of the state of knowledge with respect to each stressor-effect linkage; and
3. Identification of areas of uncertainty and knowledge gaps respecting the stressor-effect linkages.

A working paper will be reviewed that presents a diagram of the pathways of effects for marine shipping.  The working paper will include analysis of each pathway stressor-effect linkages along with relevant supporting literature.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Oceans Policy and Planning)
• Other Government Departments (Transport Canada, Environment Canada)
• Academia
• ENGO
• Industry (shipping industry)
• Other invited experts