Methods for Establishing Classification Schemes and Thresholds for Reporting on the State of Fish and Fish Habitat

Abstract

The Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) in Ontario and Prairie Region has requested science advice on approaches that can be used to define classification schemes and associated thresholds for reporting on the State of Fish and Fish Habitat (SOFFH) in the Lower Great Lakes and East Slopes of Alberta reporting areas. Science advice for quantifying and assessing the SOFFH in these reporting areas was also requested. This document describes approaches that can be used to develop classification schemes, including schemes based on (i) functional relationships with management objectives, (ii) established thresholds, (iii) relative ranking and (iv) expert elicitation. A decision tree for selecting among the approaches, based on the availability of different types of information, is presented. In addition, we consider how information from multiple Metrics can be synthesized to report on the status of overarching Indicators, as well as how classification schemes can be established for the quality of data used in SOFFH reporting. Finally, key uncertainties related to the development of classifications schemes, are also discussed.