Terms of Reference

Science Advice for Pathways of Effects for Marine Shipping

National Peer Review - National Capital Region

November 19 – 21, 2019
Sidney, British Columbia

Chairperson: Jeffrey Lemieux

Context

Pathways of Effects (PoE) conceptual models describe the pathways (linkages) between human activities, associated stressors, and effects on the environment, and are developed to be broad enough to be applicable in a range of environments and locations. PoE models are useful scoping tools for environmental assessments, such as ecological risk assessment, environmental impact assessment and cumulative effects assessments, as they describe the potential stressors and effects that could be included in such assessments.

DFO Science was requested to provide science advice to develop a suite of Pathways of Effects models for marine shipping. PoE development will involve identification and review of specific Activities associated with commercial shipping in Canadian marine waters (e.g. anchoring, grounding, discharge, etc.) and the resulting Stressors on the marine ecosystem (including but not limited to contaminants, noise, strikes, substrate disturbance, and introduction of invasive species). The Effects of shipping stressors will be identified and described at a high level. The PoE models developed will be supported by scientific justifications for the components (i.e., Activities, Stressors, Effects) and linkages (i.e. Activity -> Stressor and Stressor -> Effect) identified and described, resulting in a comprehensive suite of PoE models that represent the Activities and Stressors and generic Effects of marine shipping (within the scope outlined).

The scope of the PoE models excludes activities that are not directly caused by commercial ships. Therefore, land-based or water-based activities in support of shipping, such as dredging, infrastructure construction, port operations, and fishing-related impacts will not be considered. The scope of the PoE models also excludes vessel types that are not engaged in commercial shipping (recreational, pleasure craft, military, research and fishing vessels). Furthermore, the description of the Effects of shipping Stressors will be limited to high level Effects (e.g. change in fitness, mortality, etc.), because ecologically measureable endpoints (or indicators) are ecosystem-specific and require development for each geographic unit or species to be analysed in any given shipping impact assessment.

The PoE models are intended to support Transport Canada’s Ocean Protection Plan Initiative to develop a Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping Framework. This work will also have relevance to management and risk assessment within DFO.

Objective

The working paper will present a suite of PoE conceptual models for marine shipping in Canadian marine waters. Each PoE model will represent an identified Activity, and will outline the relevant components and pathway linkages for the Activity, supported with scientific justifications.

This national peer review process will validate and assess the components and linkages outlined in the shipping PoE models using the following objectives:

1. Identify known components (i.e., Activities, Stressors, Effects) and pathway linkages (i.e. Activity -> Stressor and Stressor -> Effect);
2. Review the description of the state of knowledge (scientific justifications) with respect to each component and linkage; and
3. Identify areas of uncertainty and knowledge gaps with respect to the linkages, including areas of future research.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Transport Canada
• Other Government Departments
• Academia
• Aboriginal Organizations
• Industry
• Non-governmental Organizations
• Other invited experts