Proceedings 2022/040
Proceedings of the National Peer Review of the Science Advice for Pathways of Effects for Marine Shipping; November 19 - 21, 2019
Chairperson: Jeffrey Lemieux
Editor: Natasha Salter
Summary
These Proceedings summarize the relevant discussions and key conclusions that resulted from a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) National Peer Review of Science Advice for Pathways of Effects for Marine Shipping held from November 19 – 21, 2019 at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, British Columbia.
Pathways of Effects (PoE) conceptual models for activities associated with commercial marine shipping in Canada, consisting of a visual representation of the structure of the model, supported by evidence describing each pathway (linkage) based on available scientific literature and expert opinion, were presented for peer review. These PoE models were developed to be broad enough to be applicable in a range of marine environments and locations, and to build upon, and supersede, those developed in a previous process (DFO 2015). Each model describes links from a sub-activity to associated stressors to broad-scale effects on the environment, and the provided tables of evidence describe the supporting evidence for effects to examples of generic biological and ecological endpoints. Through these models and supporting evidence, DFO Science has provided a systematic review of the potential effects of shipping-associated activities on marine biological and ecological endpoints, in response to a request by Transport Canada (TC).
PoE models are useful scoping tools for a variety of types of environmental assessment, such as ecological risk assessment, environmental impact assessment, and cumulative effects assessment, as they describe the potential stressors and effects that could be included in such assessments. They do not include an evaluation of the magnitude of impact of these activities on specific endpoints; this would occur in a subsequent assessment step and is not the goal of the current work.
In-person and web-based participation included representatives from DFO Science Sector and external participants from TC, First Nations organizations, port authorities, and provincial jurisdictions. Joclyn Paulic (DFO Science Sector) and Maya Paul (North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society, Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast, and Environmental Stewardship Initiative North Coast Cumulative Effects Program) presented formal reviews of the Working Paper during the meeting.
The conclusions and advice resulting from this review will be provided in the form of a Science Advisory Report (SAR), providing advice to TC to support the development of a Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping Framework under the Oceans Protection Plan. The SAR and supporting Research Document will be made publicly available on the CSAS website.
Accessibility Notice
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