Terms of Reference

Science Advice on Ecological Risk Assessment for the Southampton Island Area of Interest (AOI)

Regional Peer Review – Ontario and Prairie Region

November 1-3, 2022
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Jason Stow

Context

Under the Oceans Act, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for leading and coordinating the development and implementation of a national system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on behalf of the Government of Canada. Undertaking an ecological risk assessment to identify risks to the conservation priorities (or conservation objectives) of an MPA is a fundamental step in the MPA establishment process. DFO and the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) have partnered to advance the Southampton Island Area of Interest (AOI) for potential designation as a new Oceans Act MPA. An ecological risk assessment is needed to inform the regulatory approach to determine which activities will be allowed or restricted in the area. The ecological risk assessment is a systematic and transparent process for gathering, evaluating, and recording information on the risks posed by human activities to ecologically significant components within a study area. The risk assessment for Southampton Island AOI will be based on a draft Arctic Region Ecological Risk Assessment Framework (ERAF), which provides a consistent approach for calculating risk of impact to Arctic ecosystems from single stressors. The ERAF was developed by DFO Marine Planning and Conservation (MPC) Arctic Region, with input from a regional working group with membership from MPC, DFO Science, and Fisheries Management. The risk scores reviewed through this CSAS process will draw on previous Science advice (DFO 2020a,b) and a draft Pathways of Effects (PoE) report developed for the area, and are focused on activities that are existing or foreseeable within the next 10 years. DFO MPC Arctic Region requires Science advice to review the Ecological Risk Assessment developed using the Arctic ERAF to ensure that findings are consistent with existing literature and knowledge of the area. This information is necessary to guide the establishment of an Oceans Act MPA by Governor-in-Council, should one be recommended in Southampton Island AOI.

Objectives

The objectives of the request for Science advice are to peer review the following from a draft risk assessment prepared by MPC Arctic Region/consultant:

1. the information used to assess interactions involving ecologically significant subcomponents and identified stressors in their identified priority areas (i.e., has the most relevant and appropriate information been used, has it been correctly interpreted, and are there places where local expert knowledge might strengthen the assessment);
2. the resulting risk scores associated with each interaction; and,
3. the level of uncertainty for each interaction (i.e., has it been appropriately characterized/assessed).

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Marine Planning and Conservation, Fisheries Management, and Fish and Fish Habitat Protection sectors)
• Government of Nunavut
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Kivalliq Inuit Association
• Academia
• Other invited experts

References

• DFO. 2020a. Identification of Ecological Significance, Potential Conservation Objectives, Knowledge Gaps and Vulnerabilities for the Southampton Island Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2020/057.
• DFO. 2020b. Supplement to the Biophysical and Ecological Overview for Southampton Island (SI) EBSA to include Additional Areas within the Southampton Island Area of Interest (AOI). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2020/055.