Going on to risk assessment, risk assessment is a cornerstone of any aquatic invasive species program and provides a foundation based in science. Advice stemming from risk assessment is used to determine effective actions and use of resources by targeting highest-risk species, pathways, and locations. The advice is helpful in terms of research, monitoring, response, and management, including regulations.
Risk assessment for aquatic invasive species first looks at the probability that a species would be introduced, taking into account the likelihood that it would arrive, survive, establish, and spread. The second part is to determine what the magnitude of the consequences would be if the species is successfully introduced. Combining these two parts gives the risk of that species to an ecosystem.
DFO's national Centre of Expertise for Aquatic Risk Assessment was established in 2006 in Burlington, Ontario, and represents a key step in the development of a prevention-based aquatic invasive species program. The centre is internationally recognized for its expertise and provides guidance and tools to many agencies. To date, we have conducted full risk assessments for 25 species and written biological reports for 38 species. We also look at pathways and have completed two pathway risk assessments—ship-mediated and the Ontario baitfish pathway. As mentioned by Dr. Mandrak, other pathway assessments are under way.
One of the purposes of risk assessment is to identify future threats and concerns, assess them, and develop roadblocks to prevent the arrival of high-risk aquatic invasive species. Northern snakehead and the organisms in trade pathways are some of our top concerns in the Great Lakes right now, along with Asian carps. The concern of the arrival of two of these Asian carp species led to the development of a bi-national risk assessment targeting the Great Lakes. This initiative was announced in October 2010 and was led by the DFO Centre of Expertise for Aquatic Risk Assessment, and it was coordinated by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. We worked extensively with our Great Lakes colleagues on both sides of the border, from the U.S. Geological Survey, other federal, state, and provincial agencies, and universities. The goal of the project is to provide scientifically defensible advice for managers and decision-makers to prevent the introduction and establishment of these harmful species. The results will guide the activities for an Asian carp strategic plan, the funding for which was just announced by Minister Ashfield on Monday at $17.5 million over five years.
Thank you.