Fraser River sockeye salmon: data synthesis and cumulative impacts

Report Title: Data Synthesis and Cumulative ImpactsReviewer Name: Rick RoutledgeDate: March 20, 20111. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of this report.• I am generally in agreement with the conclusions of this report. Subject to thelimitations associated with both (i) the scope of the “Statement of Work” and (ii)weaknesses in the underlying base of knowledge and data, the team has done asolid job of the task put to them.• I also concur with the need for substantive caveats on the conclusions that canbe drawn from such a study, though I do recommend that key weaknesses in thequantitative assessments need to be highlighted more effectively. I alsorecommend that there be more qualitative discussion, perhaps with examplesfrom other situations, of the inherent weaknesses in such approaches toanalyzing the behaviour of complex interactions that encompass such a diverse,geographically extensive set of ecosystems.Response: We agree with this recommendation. Section 3.2 already provides severalcaveats. We have added some more discussion and caveats to the Executive Summary (endof Conclusions), the start of section 3.1, Section 4, Appendix 4, and end of Section 5.1. Thelimitations of this method have been explicitly described in Appendix 3.• Nonetheless, I have some concerns regarding weaknesses in technical details ofthe analyses to which I feel that the team ought to pay more attention – at leastinsofar as to give these weaknesses greater prominence in the report. Some ofthem are clearly far too complex and time consuming to implement in the limitedtime frame of this study.Response: This feedback is further elaborated upon, and responded to, in Part 6 below.2. Evaluate the interpretation of the available data, and the validity of any derivedconclusions. Overall, does the report represent the best scientific interpretationof the available data?Please see detailed comments in the specific comments to the authors below.3. Are there additional quantitative or qualitative ways to evaluate the subjectarea not considered in this report? How could the analysis be improved?Please see detailed comments in the specific comments to the authors below.4. Are the recommendations provided in this report supportable? Do you haveany further recommendations to add?Please see detailed comments in the specific comments to the authors below.149