Assessment of the Cumulative Effect of Activities in the Maritime Area: Overview of relevant legislation and proposal for a harmonised approach

• Main Authors: Karman, C.C., Jongbloed, R.H.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: IMARES 2008
• Subjects: analytical methods; assessment; case studies; ecological assessment; effects; environmental impact; marine areas; northeast atlantic; quantitative methods; analytische methoden; beoordeling; ecologische beoordeling; effecten; gevalsanalyse; kwantitatieve methoden; mariene gebieden; milieueffect; noordoost atlantische oceaan; Northeast Atlantic
• Online Access: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/assessment-of-the-cumulative-effect-of-activities-in-the-maritime

Despite all efforts to publish guidance documents on cumulative effects assessment, a common understanding of cumulative effects assessment (CEA) is still lacking, hampering the development of a transparent and widely (globally) accepted approach. In the meantime, environmental impact assessments of projects or plans often attempt to address the issue of cumulative effects but mainly at a highly qualitative level and incomparable to other environmental impact assessments. The objective of the study reported in this document is: 1) to prepare and overview on how cumulative effects assessment is implemented in international regulation; 2) to identify adequate coverage of maritime activities by these regulations; and 3) to develop a check-list of factors which should be considered in relation to cumulative impacts, leading to preliminary recommendations for a harmonised, effective and - preferably - pragmatic approach to CEA. The focus in this document is on environmental issues in the OSPAR area.