Mach, M.E., S.G. Reiter & L.H. Good. 2015. Managing a mess of cumulative effects: linking science and policy to
create solutions. Current: The Journal of Marine Education 29(1):26-31
E. Scenario Instructions and Description
Instructions
As a staff member at the Ministry of Marine Management (M3), you are required to conduct
three components of a cumulative effects analysis to help determine whether M3 should issue a
permit for a cruise ship terminal in the Port of Pleasanthaven, Newfishland. Because M3 has
limited time and resources to evaluate whether to permit this new development you have been
called here today to strategize with fellow managers, evaluate the cumulative effects of this
project and other activities on the Newfishland coast (scenario details on reverse page), and
decide if the permit should be issued. Assume you will not be able to thoroughly research each
impact on each important species and habitat (limited time and money).
Permitting guidance
M3 guidance on issuing a permit provides that when conducting cumulative effects analysis
paying particular attention to endangered species and important habitats: (1) account for all past,
present, and reasonably foreseeable future impacts, (2) select a spatial scale based on the system,
(3) use the existing conditions baseline (the ecosystem as it is today), unless scientific evidence
justifies the use of historic or future baseline. The permit will be issued if the will have a
significant impact on the environment.
Permitting process
The process for determining if a permit should be issued requires the following steps: (1)
determine whether there is a significant cumulative effect by conducting a cumulative effects
analysis, (2) if there will be a significant cumulative effect provide alternatives in the
development that would avoid or mitigate those cumulative effects.
To Do
You will need to conduct a cumulative effects analysis by (1) develop a plan to account for
cumulative effects, (2) determine an appropriate geographic spatial scale for conducting the
analysis, and (3) determine an appropriate temporal scale baseline against which to compare
proposed project impacts.
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Designate a recorder to capture the conversation and fill out the Report Out Sheet.
Designate a spokesperson to guide the process and report out to the larger group.
Working in your group, complete tasks 1-3 above.
Answer the report out questions for each task and record on the attached Report Out
Sheet.
Use the scenario as a tool to initiate conversation on these three challenges. As you report out,
first consider the details of the scenario and then reflect more broadly on cumulative effects
challenges.
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Scenario Description
Newfishland is a coastal country with major population centers and ongoing coastal and marinebased activities. Pleasanthaven is one of its charming coastal historic city centres. Pleasanthaven
relies on power from the near-by power plant and most food resources are imported from farms
and feed lots within 100 km of the city. The dominant local fishery for Scudmuckers contributes
75% of total fishing income and is the top employer (from fish harvest, processing and
distribution) in the region. Recently, Cruise Life, the top travel magazine of retirees put
Pleasanthaven on the map as the top destination in Newfishland. Cruise Life would like to build
a cruise ship terminal to foster an increase in visitors to the area. Newfishland is home to a
number of important coastal species and habitats:
Endangered Bird: The Surf Hopper is a shorebird unique to this region and was recently placed
on the endangered species list. It nests in coastal marshes and feeds throughout the summer
months on the small juvenile forage fish that live in coastal seagrass beds.
Fish Population: Scudmuckers are pelagic fish with a limited adult dispersal range, reaching a
maximum of 20 km from their seagrass nursery grounds where they spend their time as
juveniles.
Habitat: Seagrass beds in this region are vital to populations of juvenile crab and fish species.
These species compose more than 50% of the commercial and recreational fish species in
Newfishland. The seagrass bed found near the proposed development site is the only one near
Pleasanthaven. It is essential for the persistence of Scudmucker populations, and therefore the
viability of the fishery, and populations of the endangered Surf Hopper. Historically seagrass
habitat extended north of Pleasanthaven. It is believed that the power plant contributed to
significant reduction in this habitat.
Oceanography: The Northern Newfish Current brings cold nutrient rich waters north towards
Pleasanthaven. A well-known geographic break occurs at the divide of the Northern and
Southern Currents.
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