The workshop will examine the Bow-tie technique from the perspective of a pathways analysis of the cumulative causes and effects in terms of:
- Assessing the use of the Bow-tie analysis approach in risk evaluation of management options for achieving ecosystem objectives in a spatial management context;
- Developing a common understanding and language for evaluating management options in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP); and,
- Defining needs for the education and training of experts in applying the methods used in the workshop.
The need for the workshop has arisen through the increasing importance of Marine Spatial Planning throughout the ICES area. Based on its work on marine planning and coastal zone management, WGMPCZM has identified the need to further develop a common language and understanding of cumulative effects as well as impact assessments from both the strategic and project level within the context of trans-boundary impacts. WKRASM is an outcome of WGMPCZM's focus on risk management over the last few years, combining the results of other workshops (WKQAMSP, WKCES and STIG-MSP) and in producing a series of cooperative research reports that deal with this subject area.
The Bow-tie approach is one of the risk assessment techniques of the ISO 31000 Risk Management suite of standards and can be used to evaluate of management options within a multi-driver context. The approach combines the pressures of multiple drivers that may lead to cumulative effects and impacts with the intention of identifying gaps and opportunities for the development and implementation of management measures. Given that the Bow-tie is an ISO standard used by major industries, it also provides the basis for creating a common set of definitions, normalized process, and language in cumulative effect and impact assessments.
The applicability of the Bow-tie analysis to Marine Spatial Planning will be evaluated from a European trans-boundary context for use in cumulative effects and impact assessments. Scientist and managers involved in MSP activities will analyze this approach using a case study based in the South-eastern part of the North Sea, with particular attention to OSPAR indicators. In addition to the workshop report, a cooperation research report will be produced in the form of a manual to assist scientists and managers in using the Bow-tie analysis.
