RISK COMMUNICATION IN AQUACULTURE: THE ROLE OF THE SCIENTIST

1
RISK COMMUNICATION IN AQUACULTURE THE ROLE OF
THE SCIENTIST
Guy Gilron, M.Sc., R.P.Bio. CANTOX ENVIRONMENTAL
INC. Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA Aquaculture
Risk Communications Panel Aquaculture Canada
2004, October 20, 2004
2
Presentation Overview

• Introduction
• Risk Assessment, Risk Communication
• Key Stakeholders Aquaculture Sector
• The Role of the Scientist
• Case Study PCBs in Farmed Salmon
• Summary and Conclusions
• Discussion

3
Introduction

• Risk Assessment What is it, and where does Risk
  Communication fit?
• Aquaculture Sector - Multiple Stakeholders in the
  Risk Communication process
• Scientists
• most familiar with the source data generated and
  used in risk assessments (e.g., chemical
  concentrations, toxicity/risk information)
• ultimate responsibility for appropriately
  characterizing, evaluating and interpreting the
  information used
• traditionally NOT the best communicators?
• crucial role to play in the risk communication
  process

4
The Risk Assessment Paradigm
Exposure Assessment
Hazard (Effects) Assessment
Risk Characterization
Risk Management
5
Risk Communication

• Risk Communication is
• increasing in importance as an activity in the
  risk assessment paradigm
• now used throughout the process (versus at the
  end)
• Informing stakeholders is now viewed as an
  obligation, rather than an option
• Sometimes falls to the media, but risk managers
  (and the public) should rely more on those with
  technical expertise
• However
• there is little guidance or specific requirements
  for this process
• flexibility is often used in the process, using
  techniques that are case-specific,
  case-appropriate

6
Key Stakeholders in the Risk Communication
Process in the Aquaculture Sector

• Industry e.g., fish farms, fish feed producers
• Government e.g., Department of Fisheries and
  Oceans, Health Canada, Environment Canada
• Public e.g., consumer, Non-Governmental
  Organizations (NGOs), First Nations, media
• Scientists e.g., academics, government
  researchers, environmental consultants

7
The Role of the Scientist in the Risk
Communication Process

• Who is the Scientist?
• Qualifications
• Education/Degree, Accreditation, Research and
  Publications in the Field
• Knowledge and Experience
• Maintenance of independence and objectivity
• an expert NOT an advocate

8
The Role of the Scientist in the Risk
Communication Process

• Requirements
• Clear and current expertise in the specific area
  in question (e.g., analytical techniques,
  statistics, etc.)
• Familiarity with relevant and up-to-date
  published information
• An established reputation
• Need to understand the science of Risk
  Assessment
• NOW Need to communicate the Science!

9
The Role of the Scientist in the Risk
Communication Process

• What does the Scientist do in this process?
• Identifies state-of-the-art analytical methods,
  and provides clear information on their
  limitations
• Defines standards of data quantity and quality
• Defines assumptions and uncertainties in the
  data highlights their implications on the
  characterization of risk and,
• Provides context by integrating other scientific
  factors.

10
Case StudyPCBs in Farmed Salmon

• Background- Recent reports in the scientific
  literature and news media EWG, 2003Hites et
  al., 2004
• - levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in
  farmed and wild salmon detectable,
  elevated?- significant impact on public opinion
  and consumer behaviour- influence on the sales
  of farmed salmon in North America and Europe

Therefore, a case where risk communication is
clearly critical
11
Case StudyPCBs in Farmed Salmon

• identifies state-of-the-art analytical methods,
  and provides clear information on their
  limitations
• Review and evaluation of methods for analysis of
  PCBs in fish tissue issue of analysis of
  Aroclors vs. congeners
• Consistency of use of methods and reporting units
  - comparability (apples vs. oranges) among
  laboratories, clients, other scientists, and
  regulatory agencies

12
Case StudyPCBs in Farmed Salmon

• defines standards of data quantity and quality
• What constitutes proper weight of evidence?
  How many fish to analyze (sample size)?
• How good are the data? Do they represent most
  fish?
• Are detection limits appropriate for the
  guidelines used for comparison?
• Are fundamental QA/QC elements of the analysis
  addressed by the laboratories?

13
Case StudyPCBs in Farmed Salmon

• defines assumptions and uncertainties in the
  data
• What parts of the fish were analyzed (e.g., was
  the belly flap and/or skin removed?)?
• What are the uncertainties in risk estimates
  (PCBs) vs. certainties in health benefits (O-3
  oils)?
• Is it appropriate to use very conservative
  assumptions in consumption guidelines?

14
Case StudyPCBs in Farmed Salmon

• highlights their implications on the
  characterization of risk
• How are the data presented? Is data uncertainty
  expressed?
• Are other modifying factors considered (e.g.,
  processing, consumer behaviour such as trimming,
  cooking, health benefits of eating salmon)?

15
Case StudyPCBs in Farmed Salmon

• provides context by integrating other scientific
  factors
• What do tissue concentrations of PCBs in fish
  mean?
• When is it appropriate to use different
  guidelines (fish advisory vs. human health
  consumption guidelines)?
• When considering how much consumers eat, are
  these concentrations significant?
• What are the PCB concentrations found in other
  foods?
• What are the risks of not eating salmon?

16
Summary and Conclusions

• Risk Communication is a critical and ongoing
  activity in the Risk Assessment paradigm
• The input from all stakeholders in the process is
  necessary to properly balance the information
  communicated
• The Scientist has a crucial role to play in the
  Risk Communication process in the Aquaculture
  Sector, as scientists are most familiar with the
  source data generated and used in risk
  assessments
• Recent issues have highlighted the need for
  including Scientists in the process of
  communicating risk
• Most importantly, scientists provide context by
  integrating other scientific factors

17
Thank you!Questions?