Trans-Tasman Cumulative Effects Management: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Managing the cumulative effects (CE) that arise from human and natural stressors is one of the most urgent and complex problems facing coastal and marine decision makers today. In the absence of effective processes, models, and political will, decisionmakers struggle to implement management strategies that effectively tackle cumulative effects. Emerging efforts to address cumulative effects provide a timely opportunity to assess the efficacy of a range of management strategies operating at different scales and in different legislative and cultural contexts. Using primarily qualitative methodologies including literature reviews, focus groups, and workshops, this paper compares cumulative effects approaches within the Reef 2050 Plan for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), Australia, with those in Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa NZ). Both case studies illustrate that cumulative effects management is especially complicated by: fragmented legislative regimes and institutions that cannot account for cross-scale or cross-sector interactions; chronic data scarcity and high levels of uncertainty that make system-based assessments and predictions challenging; and often conflicting societal and economic expectations, values, and rights that are poorly integrated into management decision-making. By considering how these two cases align with transformational change characteristics, we draw several conclusions and establish priority actions regarding (1) how to mobilise resources and political will to address CE, (2) how to deal with data scarcity and uncertainty, and (3) how to promote comprehensive and inclusive CE management of coastal and marine areas.

Advances in cumulative effects assessment and application in marine and coastal management

“…However, multiple authors have flagged difficulties in integrating CEA into policy, planning and delivery (e.g. Davies et al, 2020;Judd et al, 2015;Ruth Van Roon et al, 2016), including inconsistent CEA approaches and quality, fragmented legislation, mismatches between political and ecological scales, and the need for long-term data and funding. 3 Reviewing recent coastal and marine CEA research…”

“…Finally, we highlight examples of research that offer insights into how to bridge the gap between CEA science and its application in policy and delivery. Common obstacles observed include fragmented legislation, poor alignment between ecological scales relevant to CEA and political scales relevant to management of cumulative effects, and the need for reliable, long-term datasets and the problem of shifting baselines (Davies et al, 2020;Hollarsmith et al, 2022;Van Roon et al, 2016). Enabling integrated coastal and marine planning and management involves long timescales, highlighting the need for long-term engagement and funding (Diggon et al, 2022;Van Roon et al, 2016).…”

“…Enabling integrated coastal and marine planning and management involves long timescales, highlighting the need for long-term engagement and funding (Diggon et al, 2022;Van Roon et al, 2016). The need to include diverse values, including those of indigenous peoples, into decision making is discussed by Davies et al (2020) and Diggon et al (2022). Collaboration and inclusion of diverse sources of knowledge enable progress and support stakeholder buy-in (Diefenderfer et al, 2016;Diggon et al, 2022;Hollarsmith et al, 2022).…”

Challenges to incorporating social and economic factors into cumulative effects assessments in Canada’s marine conservation areas

“…Furthermore, the new Impact Assessment Act (2019) requires consideration of "any cumulative effects that are likely to result from the designated project in combination with other physical activities that have been or will be carried out" (section 22(a)(1)(ii)). Though these legislative measures are important, they leave managers with a fragmented approach to addressing cumulative effects, which has been noted as a common challenge, particularly when managing marine and coastal environments (Davies et al 2020). Recent marine conservation targets set by the Canadian government include conserving 25% of marine and coastal areas by 2025 and 30% by 2030 (Government of Canada 2021b).…”

“…These stressors often vary across space and time, and it is difficult to predict how ecological components may respond to intense ecosystem changes (Murray et al 2014, Murray et al 2020. Additionally, inconsistent legislative tools and policies, insufficient data, and limited integration of social and economic factors into management decisions are recognized as challenges in effectively addressing cumulative effects in the marine environment (Canter and Ross 2010, Cormier et al 2017, Davies et al 2020.…”