Risk Analysis and Decision Making

Risk analysis provides a clearly defined framework for a structured, repeatable process, thereby removing to a large extent, ad hoc and arbitrary decision-making with regards to requests to import aquatic animals and their products.

   The risk analysis process is science-based, and thus the extent and soundness of the information on which key decisions are based can be verified and evaluated by stakeholders and by external experts. Also, the risk analysis process should have transparency; and thus points where subjective decisions enter the process can be recognized. The transparency comes from having a structured and defined process that is understood by all, and also from extensive stakeholder consultation, which is an essential component of most import risk analyses. Importantly, risk analysis is an internationally accepted method that provides importing countries the means to protect themselves against exotic diseases while assuring their trading-partner countries that any disease concerns are justified and are not disguised barriers to trade. Finally, risk analysis allows for uncertainty of scientific knowledge; through applying the precautionary approach, importing countries are permitted the time needed to address any important information gaps where research is needed to support sound decision-making.

   Although pathogen risk analysis has most often been applied to assess proposals to introduce exotic aquatic species (Related information is available in the "Resources" section), it has equal applicability to assessing domestic movements (e.g. between watersheds, coastal areas and islands) of aquatic animal commodities, and can also be usefully applied at the local or farm level when considering the wisdom of introducing new species or strains for aquaculture development.