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

Abstract

On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for leading the development of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), under the Oceans Act. 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 (ERA) is needed to inform the regulatory approach to determine which activities will be allowed or restricted in the area. The ERA 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 is 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 rationale and scores reviewed through this CSAS process will draw on previous Science advice (DFO 2020a,b), 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 ERA to ensure that findings are consistent with existing literature and scientific 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. This Science Response Report results from the regional peer review of November 1–3, 2022 on the Review of the Science Advice on Ecological Risk Assessment for the Southampton Island Area of Interest (AOI).