Pathways of Effects for Offshore Renewable Energy in Canada

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Isaacman, L., and G.R. Daborn. (2011)

Report to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research (ACER) Publication No. 102, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada. 70 pp.

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This report presents work related to the first stage: development of PoE models, that are conceptual representations of predicted relationships between human activities and their associated sub-activities - the pressures - and the environmental effects or impacts that they may have on specific ecological endpoints. Information presented in the PoEs can help regulators, scientists, and developers to identify and understand linkages, information gaps, and research needs. The attached PoE models and accompanying narrative (assumptions and strength of evidence) were prepared by a team of professional consultants and overseen by a DFO working group, with representation from Habitat, Science, Oceans, as well as a representative from Natural Resources Canada. The draft documents outline potential linkages between activities associated with marine renewable energy and the environmental stressors.

Keywords: ecological implications