Working Group on Cumulative Effects Assessment Approaches in Management (WGCEAM; outputs from 2021 meeting)

The Working Group on Cumulative Effects Assessment Approaches in Management (WGCEAM) has developed a common and consolidated cumulative effects assessment (CEA) framework to provide science advice as guidance for the implementation of ecosystem-based management. The framework reflects a step-wise process that aligns the prioritisation of key pressures through causal pathways within defined assessment boundaries. An algorithm was developed to calculate impact risk scores reflecting vulnerability of the ecosystem to human activities. The intent of such vulnerability profiles can provide a visual representation for setting strategic priorities for the management of human activities and their pressures.WGCEAM undertook a case study for the North Sea and the Gulf of St Lawrence to test the framework with semi-quantitative and quantitative data and improve the framework where needed. Further work on the case studies resulted in two papers. WGCEAM has submitted a new resolution to develop approaches to link the vulnerabilities to marine activities.