Fraser River sockeye salmon: data synthesis and cumulative impacts

Levy urged researchers to bear in mind as they write their reports that the primary audience isCommissioner Cohen, followed by the 21 participants and then the general scientific audience.Each project will have three reviews, to be completed by January 15. Reviewer comments willbe added as appendices, and report authors can add their own further comments if they disagree.Levy provided a table listing the reviewers and their assignments. Every effort was made to lineup reviewers’ expertise with the content of assigned projects. In some cases the content is outsidethe primary experience of the reviewer, though this does offer the benefit of a fresh eye.Confidentiality is important. Many of the scientists have already generated important newfindings. The Commission has a carefully-planned process for releasing all the findings publiclyin February, so no findings should be released until then. If there are leaks and scientists arecontacted for comment by the media, they should refer all such requests to the Commission’sCommunications Director, Carla ShoreDiscussionShore: Reiterated the importance of confidentiality requirements, noting that she was alsoavailable to provide advice and media coaching around the planned February release.Peterman: Several of us will be at the SFU Think Tank on Friday.Shore: Until the reports are published, scientists are not at liberty to discuss their research for theCohen Commission.McKinnell: There was extensive review of my report within my organization, so it has beenviewed by multiple reviewers from many countries.Shore: There may be leaks and we will deal with those, but researchers are not in a position tocomment until the work is published. What you understand from your research and itsbroader implications will be different from how it will be publicly perceived, so we want tomake sure it’s all put out in the proper context.Levy: We will encourage you to discuss your work publicly, but only after all the reports arewritten and properly reviewed.Q/A: Reviewer comments on the draft reports will be included as appendices.Marmorek: What if the reports are changed or the authors disagree?Levy: A response can be added noting changes and where the authors reject the reviewers’findings.Discussion: Should you list each comment and response individually or as summaries?ACTION: Levy to advise whether reviewer comments and responses should be reportedindividually or as summary reviews and summary responses.Levy: The intent of this workshop is to get everyone on the same page, to develop the cumulativeeffects analysis and to expose reviewers to the other research underway. Proceedings will beprovided by December 15.ACTION: Scientific contractors requested to keep Excel and Access files handy to facilitatetranslation of all figures in their reports (tables should be okay).27