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For over a century, governments on both sides of the Canada–US border have employed diverse policy instruments and management tools to protect the Great Lakes. This crucial freshwater resource continues to show signs of degradation. We explore how the International Organization for Standardization Risk Management Standard (ISO 31000) can be used by governments to reduce the risk of failing to achieve the policy objectives of the Great Lakes. ISO 31000 facilitates the analysis of human activities that drive the causal pathways of ecosystem pressures–effects–impacts and analyzes the links between these causal pathways and the performance of management measures operating within the Great Lakes. ISO 31000 allows governments to shed light on why, despite best intentions, management measures are not working and enables governments to continually improve the management system until the risks of policy failures are reduced to acceptable levels, bringing new hope to the future of the Great Lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major developments in the field of fish safety and quality have had a significant impact on international trade during the last few decades. Technological developments in fish handling and processing coupled with increasing consumer food safety and quality awareness have resulted in the adoption of HACCP-based systems and scientifically-based risk assessment methodologies. This is reflected in international regulatory framework of the SPS and TBT Agreements of the WTO and the normative work of CODEX Alimentarius. Based on available food borne illness reports, the decrease in food borne diseases has coincided with the implementation of HACCP-based food safety assurance measures. However, fish safety and quality issues related to indigenous microorganisms, chemical or veterinary drugs are increasingly of concern. This reflects the need for a food chain approach in the analysis of hazards and risks to develop integrated risk management strategies. However, a food chain approach also requires substantial multidisciplinary scientific information given the need of science-based risk analysis. This paper discusses these issues in terms of their practical implications and limitations. FAO provides direct assistance to member countries via the CODEX Committees and other expert groups with a focus on training and capacity building in developing countries. In response to increasing demands for pertinent and succinct scientific and technical information upon which to conduct adequate hazard and risk analysis, the FAO has launched the Aquatic Food Programme in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with the expectation of creating a peer reviewed comprehensive knowledge base of integrated aquatic food to safety and quality information from a food chain approach. This paper also discusses the major activities of the FAO Fisheries Department to assist member countries and promote international cooperation for the use of scientifically-based fish safety and quality standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine and estuarine management requires an excellent understanding of the interacting, interrelated and interdependent sub-systems comprising ecological, societal and management complexity. Managing such a complex system sustainably relies on knowing what aspects can be managed, and conversely what aspects are outside the control of the manager. Accordingly, by taking elements from existing environmental management approaches, especially in Europe and Canada, here we propose an integrated systems analysis approach which links 14 component sub-systems. Using these cases shows that while all elements exist, they have hitherto not been combined into a holistic decision support system. These components are linked here in a cycle of three Parts - (A) defining the policy problems facing the seas, (B) obtaining the relevant and fit-for-purpose natural and social sciences data and information, and (C) creating an input for policy and decision-making which involves stakeholders. The component sub-systems are: an Underpinning Framework Sub-system (1), which then leads to the Issue Sub-system (2), which is vision-related and includes causes and/or consequences of pressures to be managed. The Ecological Sub-system (3) links the biota and its environment to the Socio-ecological Sub-system (4) and the Socio-economic subsystem (5), which considers the macroeconomic aspects. The Resources and Delivery Sub-system (6) considers which scientists do what and how do they do it and the Provenance Sub-system (7) checks that there is a fit-for-purpose and defendable science evidence base. The Governance Sub-system (8), incorporates policies and politics as well as horizontally and vertically integrating the Legislative (8A) and the Administrative Sub-systems (8B). The Communication (8C) and Stakeholder Sub-systems (8D) ensure involvement across the stakeholder typology (of formal and informal actors). Finally, the Achievement Sub-system (9) and the Feedback Sub-system (10) ensures that all of these actions achieve successful and sustainable marine resource management. Image 1 • A systems approach is proposed for integrated and sustainable marine management. • Part A shows the links between the policy, vision, issues and risks for all seas. • Part B shows the means to obtain natural and social sciences data and information. • Part C indicates the complex role of governance and stakeholder input to management. • All 14 interlinked/interdependent sub-systems produce holistic marine management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-seabed mining is raising a variety of concerns regarding the effects of this activity on the marine environment, human health and safety, as well as socio-economic considerations. Risk management falls within a "management function" for developing, implementing and monitoring controls, and measures, as is the role of the International Seabed Authority, in contrast to a "governance function" for setting policies and direction as provided by UNCLOS. The risk assessment process is discussed for deep-seabed mining within the risk management process of ISO 31000 of identifying, analysing and evaluating risks. It highlights the importance of risk criteria in evaluating management options to reduce the risks of not achieving a policy objective such as avoiding harm to the marine environment. Administrative challenges and the need for policies and procedures are also discussed to effectively address transparency in such processes. Image 1 • Managing risks is a "management function" as directed by the "governance function". • Risks are assessed to understand the uncertainties of achieving UNCLOS objectives. • Management measures are assessed for their effectiveness to achieve UNCLOS objectives. • Risk criteria is used to evaluate the management scenarios of potential measures. • Administrative policies and procedures are an important support function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An ecosystem approach to marine spatial planning (MSP) promotes sustainable development by organizing human activities in a geo-spatial and temporal context. (1) This study develops and tests a spatially explicit risk assessment to support MSP. Using the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the North Sea as a case study area, current and future spatial management scenarios are assessed. (2) Different tools are linked in order to carry out a comprehensive spatial risk assessment of current and future spatial management scenarios for ecologic and economic ecosystem components, i.e. Pleuronectes platessa nursery grounds. With the identification of key inputs and outputs the suitability of each tool is tested. (3) Here, the procedure as well as the main findings of the spatially explicit risk approach are summarised to demonstrate the applicability of the framework and the need for an ecosystem approach to risk management techniques using geo-spatial tools. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]