1. Gulf of Maine State of the Environment Reporting
Presentation to Gulf of Maine Working Group
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
25 March 2009

2. Scoping Document
Overview of state-of-the-environment (SOE) reporting & identifies some of the challenges
Reporting requirements for the Gulf of Maine
Information requirements and availability
Proposes a framework for SOE reporting
I am not necessarily going to deal with each of these in my presentation in the order presented here.

3. Methods Review of the Gulf of Maine literature
Review of information on ESIP
Telephonic interviews/ interaction with Working Group, Council and ESIP members:
General understanding of issues/concerns etc.
Target audience
User needs
Developed a proposed framework for SOE reporting, a work plan and indicative budget

4. Initial Impressions
Much of the information required for a SOER has been compiled in various formats
Information is fragmented and has been prepared for different purposes
Focus has been on the ecosystem rather than socio-economic aspects
ECONOMIC
SOCIAL
BIOPHYSICAL
Environment
State of the environment reports are generally reporting on the sustainability of a system, including the social environment, economic environment and biophysical environment.

5. Target Audience
1° Coastal decision makers (coastal law makers, decision makers and managers)
2° General public
“Coastal law makers are real people too”
Susan Russell-Robinson

6. User Needs Describe pressures and societal responses
Focus on priority issues
Discuss regional indicators
Specify goals and threshold responses
Flexible format
Include the historical context; anecdotal information; case studies; human interest
Delineate the boundaries
New methods of accessing and using information
Describe pressures on the ecosystem and societal responses to those pressures;
Focus on those issues that had already been identified as priorities;
Discuss regional indicators including measures of societal response, where available;
Evaluate the health or state of the Gulf measured against specific goals and threshold responses;
Have a flexible format that allows updating and does not place too much pressure on limited resources;
Include the historical context, if possible, in the form of anecdotal information and case studies;
Clearly delineate the boundaries of the area or issue being reported, and
Adopt new methods of accessing and using information.

7. Reporting System Modular SOER Wiki Site Web Portal
flexible – affordable - accessible
Modular SOER
Wiki Site
Web Portal

8. Modular SOER Evaluation of priority issues Regularly updated
Incremental approach
DPSIR framework (includes
social, economic &
ecological components)
Mention that a mock theme paper has been developed at the back of the document
Overview of GOM
Relatively static
Provides the context
e.g. boundaries, size of watershed, history, management

10. Wiki Site Webpage that anyone can edit
Capture information from local level initiatives
Contributions from any interested party
This encourages interaction
Caters for a changing generation and the way people access information nowdays.

11. Web Portal This portal will have the flexibility to link to: Wiki site
Other SOE products
Even GOM Times

13. Challenges – Discussion Points
Taking responsibility
Getting the work done
Deciding on the theme papers
Moderating the wiki site
Indicators
Budget
The SOE reporting process requires ongoing commitment from the Council. The Council will need to take ownership of the process; however, member organisations should be willing to assist with the various aspects of initiating the SOER process.
Funding and human resource capacity continue to be issues of concern for the Council. The project will require some dedicated funding to initiate and maintain the SOE reporting system. Long-term commitments will include maintenance of the web portal and moderation of the wiki site.

14. Deciding on Theme Papers
Limited to selection of papers (no more than 12)
Focus on 6 priority areas
May include emerging issues
Need to be at the same “level”
Recommend a workshop or web meeting to decide

15. Challenges – Discussion Points
Taking responsibility
Getting the work done
Deciding on the theme papers
Moderating the wiki site
Indicators
Budget

16. Indicators Indicators can be quantitative or qualitative
An indicator is a parameter that provides information about an environmental issue with a significance that extends beyond the parameter itself
Indicators can be quantitative or qualitative
Do not necessarily need indicators developed prior to reporting – often indicator development is opportunistic
Do not necessarily only need Gulf-wide indicators to tell the story
Should consider geographical indicators (e.g. key estuaries)
Some consideration should be given to complex indicators (fishing capacity/TAC)
Data gaps should be identified
Data compatibility across jurisdictions makes Gulf-wide comparisons more difficult. However, SOE reporting does not necessarily require compatible data sources; rather it requires the ability to report in the current state using the various information sources in a cohesive manner.

17. Challenges – Discussion Points
Taking responsibility
Getting the work done
Deciding on the theme papers
Moderating the wiki site
Indicators
Budget

18. TOTAL 2009-2011: $150 -170 K Task Proposed Schedule Indicative Budget
(US $)
Task 1: Development and Maintenance of Web Portal
Development of web portal
End 2009
$16 000
Maintenance of web portal
Ongoing – long-term
$ / year1
Task 2: Compilation of Context Document
Compilation of context document
$25 000
Task 3: Identification of Theme Papers
Workshop to discuss framework and identify theme papers
Summer 2009 $
Identification of theme papers in Working Group meeting or through web meeting
In kind support2
Task 4: Drafting of Theme Papers
Theme papers # 1-3
$4 000 / paper
Theme papers # 4-7
End 2010
$ $8 000 / paper
Theme papers # 8-12
End 2011
$ $ / paper
Task 5: Establishment of Wiki Site
Establishment of wiki site
$5 000
Ongoing moderation of wiki site
Ongoing - long-term
$5 000 / year3
Notes:
1. Supplementary to GOMC site budget
2. Optional (choice between two options in Task 3)
3. In addition to web portal
TOTAL : $ K

19. Thank you!