Standardized approach to defining potential SAI

The NPFC is required to assess Significant Adverse Impacts (SAIs) on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) by fishing activities in the Convention Area. One approach used in other jurisdictions, including USA, Canada, EU, NAFO, and SPRFMO, is to overlay fishing information with known or predicted occurrences of VMEs to identify areas of high risk of SAIs. Canada will present information related to its ongoing efforts to use the fishing footprint and predictive habitat models to identify potential areas of high risk of SAIs. Approaches to defining risk of SAI in a standardized manner for all NPFC Members is needed and Canada recommends the official formation of a small working group that will work inter-sessionally on this issue, with the expectation that a report on this topic will be presented in SSC BFME-02.