Regional Peer Review Process on a Risk-based Assessment Framework to Identify Priorities for Ecosystem-Based Oceans Management in the Pacific Region

Summary

These Proceedings summarize the relevant discussions and key conclusions that resulted from a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Regional Peer Review meeting on May 8-10, 2012, at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, British Columbia. One working paper was presented for peer review. This paper developed an ecological risk assessment framework to identify and assess the relative risk of harm to VECs from human activities and their associated stressors and to rank the significance of activities and stressors based on the relative risks to VECs.

In-person and web-based participation included DFO Science, Fisheries and Aquatic Management Sectors staff; and external participants from First Nations organizations, the Province of British Columbia, Environment Canada, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the commercial fishing sector, environmental nongovernmental organizations, consultants, and academia.

The conclusions and advice resulting from this review will be provided in the form of a Science Advisory Report to Oceans and Ecosystem Management to inform the development of conservation objectives for the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) and Pacific Region Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

— Excerpt from the report’s summary