The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative is a Canadian collaborative ocean management and planning process in the Atlantic Ocean. It is led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada under the authorization of Canada’s Ocean’s Act of 1997.
The initiative developed an Integrated Ocean Management plan for a large area south of Nova Scotia that contains important living and non-living marine resources, significant areas of high biological diversity, and increasing levels of multiple use and competition for ocean space and resources.
The effort involves federal agencies and created a structure to engage many stakeholder groups, including fisheries, oil and gas, mineral, shipping, and conservation interests.
Although the initiative does not have regulatory authority, federal agencies are expected to implement the strategies outlined in the management plan within their existing mandates by reallocating resources and developing shared goals.
Those strategies include modeling and classifying the ecosystem, incorporating ocean use mapping and spatial decision support, and promoting industry-led best practices. The strategies are designed to support a vision of healthy and sustainable ecosystems, economies and communities, supported by collaborative, integrated and harmonized governance and management.
Mission
The mission of the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Plan is to provide a common basis for commitment and action to realize collaborative governance and management, sustainable use of the resource, and healthy ecosystems.
Objectives
The many objectives of the initiative include commitments to:
Lead Organizations
Federal
Key Parties
Federal
Provincial
Stakeholder
The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative (ESSIM) is composed of five entities:
Federal-Provincial Working Group
The Federal-Provincial Working Group facilitated the initial “government-to-government conversation” and structure for the initiative. Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiated a discussion among different levels of government on the varied ocean-related mandates before moving to engage stakeholders.
The group met four times annually starting around 2000 or 2001. The working group still exists but may have fallen by the wayside, according to one participant in the initiative.
Maritime Provinces Regional Committee on Ocean Management
The Maritime Provinces Regional Committee on Ocean Management (RCOM) was created in 2005 as the executive decision-making body of the initiative. Introduction of the RCOM formalized the role of agency leads in achieving the goals of the initiative. The RCOM is made up of senior government officials and has an oversight and approval role. Membership includes representatives of federal and provincial governments and the Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.
ESSIM Forum
The ESSIM Forum engages interested individuals or groups in periodic workshops. Anybody interested in the process can participate.
The first ESSIM Forum Workshop in 2002 had nearly 150 participants, beginning a broad stakeholder dialogue on integrated ocean management. The second workshop in 2003 discussed the elements of an integrated ocean management plan and requirements of a collaborative governance structure. The third workshop in 2005 introduced a draft of the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Ocean Management Plan for review and comment. The fourth workshop in 2008 discussed implementation of the plan. Each workshop hosted presentations and discussions relating to the initiative or integrated management.
Stakeholder Advisory Committee
A Stakeholder Advisory Committee developed in 2005 is made up of approximately 30 members representing federal, provincial and municipal officials and Aboriginal peoples; the Offshore Petroleum Board; academic and research groups; community groups; an oil and gas exploration association; and interests representing the commercial fisheries, communications, tourism and transportation sectors.
The committee provides advice, guidance, leadership and formal stakeholder representation. It works by consensus and was involved in drafting the Strategic Plan by commenting on draft documents.
Administration
The ESSIM Planning Office is responsible for ongoing administration and operational activities in support of the other groups. The office is located in the Oceans and Coastal Management Division, DFO Maritimes Region at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Nova Scotia.
The following four factors led to the development of the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative:
The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative identified a series of management strategies. Each strategy represents a general course of activities. The strategies include the use of various tools, such as ocean use mapping and spatial decision support, ecosystem classification and modeling, and industry-led best management practices and stewardship programs.
The strategies often reference existing programs and initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the objectives. In some cases, the continuation or enhancement of existing programs and initiatives may be all that is required to achieve an objective, while in other cases, entirely new programs and activities will be necessary.
The initiative does not have regulatory authority. Because the Oceans Act does not confer additional power, regulatory authorities remain responsible and accountable for implementing management policies and measures within their existing mandates and jurisdictions. According to the ESSIM Plan Summary, “government departments are expected to support implementation of the Plan through their management and decision-making powers” by reallocating resources and developing and implementing shared goals.
The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative guided identification of ecological priority areas on the Scotian Shelf, including a benthic community classification (2001 to 2005); identification of ecologically and biologically significant areas (EBSA criteria, 2004); and determination of Scotian Shelf Priority Areas using MARXAN software (2006).
Additionally, Ocean Use Mapping and a Coral Conservation Plan reflect utilization of science and technology in fulfilling the initiative's plan.
Ecosystem Outcomes
Environmental assessments for oil and gas on the eastern Scotian Shelf are now subject to more rigorous review because of the consideration of more detailed information. Similarly, fish management plans have become more inclusive.
Protected Area Planning
The ESSIM Initiative has ushered in new approaches to protected area planning. The Oceans Act and subsequent Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy of 2002 called for a national network that meets common objectives related to biodiversity representation. MARXAN optimization software is being used to develop a network plan that achieves the highest proportion of conservation goals.
Formalized Fisheries Response
The fishing industry has organized a Scotia-Fundy Fishing Sector Industry Roundtable as a formal response to the recommendations for improved fishery management. The group of fishing industry representatives includes representatives of harvesters, buyers, managers, processors, and scientists and discusses issues relating to the industry.
The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative has been facilitated by several factors, including:
The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative has encountered several challenges, including:
People familiar with the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative have learned:
Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative: http://www.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/e0010285