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Coastal Update    Newsletter Archives

January - June 2002

JUNE 2002 POSITION AT THE HMSC The Huntsman Marine Science Centre located in St. Andrews, New Brunswick is seeking a University programs coordinator. This position will coordinate university education and research activities at the Centre, a not-for-profit charity devoted to education, research and technology transfer to industry. 28 June 2002 is the deadline for applying. For information, access http://www.huntsmanmarine.ca. PUT YOUR COMMUNITY ONLINE ESRI Canada and GeoConnections are holding a free informational seminar from 0830 hrs to noon on Thursday, 20 June at the Four Points Sheraton in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The seminar will focus on the importance of implementing geospatial data standards. It will outline the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and show technology and tools that can be leveraged. Specific examples and practical applications related to disaster management and emergency response will be provided. For further information and to register, access http://www.esricanada.com/english/events/co2002.asp. CANADIAN OCEANS STRATEGY WORKSHOP A Canadian Oceans Strategy (COS) Workshop for the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence is being held on 19 June 2002 at the Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick to obtain input from stakeholder groups into the soon-to-be-released Oceans Strategy. The Strategy will set out the policy direction for the management of the estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems of Canada. For details, email Marie Daigle. OYSTERS IN NEW BRUNSWICK The Conservation Council of New Brunswick has released the 57-page report, Oysters in New Brunswick: More Than a Harvestable Resource. The report presents a brief historic overview of oyster fishing in New Brunswick, examines the ecological role of oysters in estuarine ecosystems, and reports on the different types of oyster habitat, associated species communities and the condition of the natural beds in relation to potential external factors. To obtain a copy ($5 plus postage), email the CCNB. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1st ESSIM FORUM WORKSHOP The Proceedings of the 1st ESSIM Forum Workshop held in Halifax on 20-21 February 2002 have been published as a Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. To obtain a copy, email the ESSIM Forum Secretariat. For information, access the ESSIM website. WWF MARINE BULLETIN PUBLISHED The 1st issue of Marine Bulletin: Conservation News for Atlantic Canada was recently published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The featured articles include "An introduction to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): global, national and regional" and an invited commentary on MPAs and fisheries. 2002 CANADIAN MARINE ICT DIRECTORY The Canadian Marine ICT Directory, produced by the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications (CCMC), describes 120 Canadian companies involved in marine information and communications technology (ICT) products and services. The Directory includes contact information for each company, as well as profiles detailing their expertise, products, and services. FOREIGN OVERFISHING: ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS In a report tabled to the House of Commons on 11 June, the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans makes several recommendations, including "That the Government of Canada amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to empower it to implement Custodial Management of fisheries resources on the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and on the Flemish Cap." and "That the Government of Canada inform NAFO and its contracting parties that Canada will withdraw from NAFO and proceed with the implementation of custodial management on the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and on the Flemish Cap no later than one year following the September 2002 NAFO meeting." The report is available online. CANADA MARINE ACT REVIEW The Minister of Transport has announced the appointment of a Panel to undertake consultations with stakeholders and to make recommendations as part of the review of the Canada Marine Act (CMA). The review will examine the issues that have arisen related to the implementation of the CMA, for example, the divestiture of harbour beds and port facilities. For information on the Act and the review, access http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/marine/menu_e.htm. STATUS OF ICM AS AN INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE A Baseline 2000 Background Report was prepared for the Coastal Zone Canada 2000 Conference to provide an assessment of the existing 'state of the art' in the practice of ICM on an international basis. This publication has been recently updated and is available online. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN OCEANOGRAPHY AND FISHERIES This recently published book provides a thorough examination of marine GIS applications that include a variety of methods and sophisticated approaches in coastal, continental shelf, and deep ocean studies. It presents new innovative approaches of using GIS in the examination of the dynamic relations that characterize the marine world. For details and ordering information, access http://www.imbc.gr/whats_new/valavanis.html. DEVELOPING A PORTAL: A TOOLKIT FOR COMMUNITIES Community Portal Technology is a tool to channel the Internet user's enquiry more directly to the information they are seeking while at the same time opening a window for local commerce, e-government and on-line transactions. The success of a community portal is determined by the amount and usefulness of the content and on line services that it makes available. For information, access the Smart Communities website. OIL IN THE SEA Nearly 85 percent of the 29 million gallons of petroleum entering North American ocean waters each year are as a result of human activities, including land-based runoff, polluted rivers, airplanes, and small watercraft. A new National Academies report entitled Oil in the Sea presents estimates of major oil sources and makes recommendations to help policy-makers prioritize next steps for prevention and response. The report is available online. UN ATLAS OF THE OCEANS After more than 2.5 years of development and a decade of planning, the UN Atlas of the Oceans was launched on World Environment Day. The Atlas provides users with continuously updated strategic data on the state of the world's oceans, maps, development trends and threats to human health from the deteriorating marine environment. The Atlas is available online at http://www.oceansatlas.org/index.jsp. EUROPEAN COMMUNITY STRATEGIES FOR ICZM The results of the 1st European High Level Forum on Community Strategies for ICZM, held in Spain on 18-20 April, are now online. Recommendations include the development of common indicators for the status of the coast, advances in information management, the compilation of a Guide of Good Practices and promotion of ICZM on a local scale. Sea level rise, depletion of fish stocks and population growth in coastal areas are highlighted. EUROPEAN UNION FISHERIES POLICY Following consultations with stakeholders, the EC recently unveiled an ambitious reform package which proposes to do away with the annual ritual of setting fishing quotas at too high levels. In future, TACs would be fixed within a multi-annual management plan, on the basis of the most recent scientific advice, to ensure that enough fish stay in the sea to replenish the stocks. For information, access the EU website. REPORT ON SUSTAINABLE COASTAL AQUACULTURE FAO has published a GESAMP report entitled Planning and Management for Sustainable Coastal Aquaculture Development. The report is divided in two parts: guidelines and tools. It is based on a review of literature and experience on the integration of aquaculture into coastal area management. The report is available at online. UNEP LAUNCHES GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT OUTLOOK-3 The UNEP study takes a look at the policies and environmental impacts of the past 30 years. It then outlines four policy approaches for the next three decades and compares and contrasts the likely impacts on people and the natural world. The report says the planet is at a crucial cross-roads with the choices made today critical for the forests, oceans, rivers, mountains, wildlife and other life support systems upon which current and future generations depend. GEO-3 and its predecessors are available at online. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2002 The Johannesburg Summit - the World Summit on Sustainable Development - presents an opportunity for leaders to adopt concrete steps and identify quantifiable targets for better implementing Agenda 21 adopted at the Rio Summit in 1992. The Summit will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. For information on the Summit, including documents, access http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/. CALL FOR PAPERS 31 July 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the Pacem in Maribus 2002 Symposium scheduled for 8-14 December 2002 in Cape Town, South Africa. The theme of the Symposium is Oceans in the New Economy. UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND OTHER EVENTS - 17-18 June 2002: Linking Science and Local Knowledge: Building Capacity for Decision Making, St. Ann's, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Workshop agenda is available online. - 18-20 June 2002: Traditional Knowledge Conference 2002, Fredericton, New Brunswick. - 18-20 June 2002: Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association Conference and the Offshore Newfoundland Petroleum Show (19-20 June), St. John's, Newfoundland. - 19-21 June 2002: Science and Local Knowledge: Making the Linkages Work in Canada's MPAs, Moncton, New Brunswick. For information, email Marise Robichaud. - 24-28 June 2002: Coastal Zone Canada 2002, Hamilton, Ontario. - 24-28 June 2002: IGARSS'02 and the 24th Canadian Symposium on Remote Sensing, Toronto, Ontario. - 7-12 July 2002: 28th International Conference on Coastal Engineering (ICCE), Cardiff, Wales. For information, email Sue Frye. - 9-12 July 2002: 2002 Joint International Symposium and Exhibition on GeoSpatial Theory, Processing and Applications, Ottawa, Ontario. - For a more complete list of upcoming conferences and workshops, access http://aczisc.dal.ca/conf.htm. Top of Page   MAY 2002 SALMONID CULTURE WORKSHOP A Workshop entitled Salmonid Culture: the Role of Stress and Stress Management in Fish Husbandry is scheduled for 11 June 2002 at the Atlantic Salmon Federation Conference Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. The speakers are Jim Powell and Jim Brackett (Syndel), and Tillmann Benfey (University of New Brunswick). The Workshop is co-organized by the Canadian Aquaculture Institute and the Malaspina University College, Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Program and sponsored by AquaNet. POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF MARINE LIABILITY ACT ON TOURISM The Canadian Federal Marine Liability Act (MLA) provides a framework for claims related to personal injuries, fatalities, pollution and property damage. In an effort to better understand the potential impacts of the Act on the tourism industry, the New Brunswick Department of Tourism and Parks in consultation with the Tourism Industry Association of NB has organized a presentation from 0900-1200 hrs on 24 May at the Hilton Hotel in Saint John, NB. For details, email Joel Richardson, NB Department of Tourism and Parks. WORKSHOP ON LAND USE IMPACTS ON COASTAL WATERSHEDS The Atlantic Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society is looking for partners to support and participate in the planning and organization of this Workshop tentatively scheduled for February 2003 in Moncton, Sackville or Amherst. The intent is to engage existing agricultural and forestry expertise in the region and apply it to coastal communities and watersheds, and to develop a "tool kit" of Soil and Water Conservation practices that can be applied to coastal watershed management in Atlantic Canada. For information, email Gordon Fairchild. COASTAL ZONE CANADA 2002 Coastal Zone Canada 2002 is scheduled for 23-28 June 2002 in Hamilton, Ontario. The theme of this 5th international biennial conference is Managing Shared Waters: Towards Sustainable Transboundary Coastal Ecosystems. The Conference is sponsored by the Coastal Zone Canada Association, Pollution Probe, and the United Nations University. It will provide the international community with a contemporary assessment of the capacity needs of those working towards the sustainable development of coastal zones, with a special focus on transboundary situations. Outputs of the initiative include an international conference, a Resource Kit, Showcase, Conference Report and Conference Statement. Beyond 2000, the report of the CZC 2000 Conference held in Saint John, New Brunswick, is available online in PDF format. RESEARCH NETWORK TO STUDY IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON COASTLINES Herb Dhaliwal, the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, has announced that the coordinating office of the Coastal Zone sector of the Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network (C-CIARN) has been established at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. C-CIARN Coastal Zone will provide one window for contacts, data and information relating to climate change impacts and adaptation research along the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Great Lakes coastlines. For information, access http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/css/imb/hqlib/200254e.htm or email Kathryn Parlee, C-CIARN Coastal Zone Sector Coordinator. CANADA'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE The Government of Canada has established two conditions before deciding how Canada should meet its climate change commitments: first, there must be a workable plan and second, such a plan must be developed in consultation with the Provinces, Territories, stakeholders and Canadians. The Discussion Paper on Canada's Contribution to Addressing Climate Change explains what is known about climate change and presents four options for addressing Canada's climate change commitments. To download the paper and to provide comments, access http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/discussionpaper/. USING HORIZONTAL TOOLS TO WORK ACROSS BOUNDARIES The report, produced by the Canadian Centre for Management Development (CCMD), focuses on the challenges associated with horizontal initiatives and provides guidance for success. The ACZISC was used as one of the case studies for the report. The others were the Strength in Diversity Program (SIDP); the Business Council of Manitoba Aboriginal Education Awards Program; and the Canadian Maritime Network (CANMARNET). The report is available online. TOWARDS A NATIONAL DISASTER MITIGATION STRATEGY Input is being sought by the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness in the development of a policy framework for Canada's 1st National Disaster Mitigation Strategy. A discussion paper provides a concept of disaster mitigation and a rationale for a national disaster mitigation strategy. It proposes a possible mitigation framework and poses questions to stimulate ideas and discussion. To download the discussion paper and to provide feedback, access http://www.ocipep-bpiepc.gc.ca/publicinfo/NDMS/consult_e.asp. ENDANGERED SPECIES IN CANADA The interior Fraser River Basin population of the Coho Salmon and the Blue Whale, the largest animal ever to have lived on the planet, are two of the species recently added to the list of endangered species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The list of Canadian Species at Risk now includes 402 species in various risk categories, including 147 species of special concern, 100 species threatened, and 125 species endangered. In addition, 19 species are extirpated (no longer present in Canada), and 11 extinct. For information, access http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct7/sct7_3_e.htm. PROPOSAL TO PROTECT THE NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE The Government of Canada is considering changes to the Bay of Fundy Traffic Separation Scheme for ship traffic lanes in an effort to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Transport Canada is seeking input and/or information from mariners, fish harvesters, other interested parties and the public on the proposed lane adjustment. For information, access http://www.tc.gc.ca/atl/marine/fundy_e.htm. PROVINCIAL MPAs IN BRITISH COLUMBIA The Province of British Columbia has recently completed a report entitled Provincial Marine Protected Areas in British Columbia. The three primary tools used to evaluate provincial MPAs are: the Coastal Resource Information System (CRIS); Valued Marine Environments and/or Features (VMEFs); and the BC Marine Ecological Classification (BCMEC). The report is available at http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/dss/rpts/index.htm. UK's FIRST MARINE STEWARDSHIP REPORT The British government's 1st Marine Stewardship Report entitled Safeguarding Our Seas: A Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of our Marine Environment was recently published. The report sets out the Government's vision for the marine environment which is underpinned by the principles of sustainable development, integrated management, the conservation of biological diversity, robust science, the precautionary principle and stakeholder involvement. The report is available online. COASTAL SPRAWL / DECLINING HEALTH OF OCEANS IN THE U.S. A report entitled Coastal Sprawl: The Effects of Urban Design on Aquatic Ecosystems in the United States, prepared for the independent Pew Oceans Commission, links development and growth along the coasts to the declining health of ocean habitats and resources. The report is available online. CALL FOR PAPERS - 31 May 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to Geomatics 2002, a symposium to be held on 30-31 October 2002 in Montréal, Québec. The theme is Everywhere for Everyone!. Speakers are asked to describe innovative solutions, new technological achievements and latest developments and to share expertise and know-how in areas related to this event's theme. - 1 June 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to CARIS 2002 scheduled for 3-6 September 2002 in Norfolk, Virginia. The theme of the Conference is Revolutionizing Geomatics. Of particular interest are papers that address experiences with concrete applications in Law of the Sea and Coastal Zone Management, Bathymetric Data Processing, S-57 ENC and DIGEST DNC (Electronic Charting, Hydrographic Database and Port and Harbour Management. - 15 June 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the 2nd International Symposium on GIS and Spatial Analyses in Fishery and Aquatic Sciences scheduled for 3-6 September 2002 in Brighton, U.K. The primary objectives of the Symposium are to: highlight developments and applications of GIS/Spatial analyses in Fishery and Aquatic Sciences; exchange ideas and information; and suggest further improvements, techniques and applications. UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND OTHER EVENTS - 20-22 May 2002: 7th International Conference on Remote Sensing for Marine and Coastal Environments, Miami, Florida - 22-24 May 2002: 4th GEOIDE Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario - 22-25 May 2002: 36th Annual Congress of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Rimouski, Québec - 27-29 May 2002: 2002 Canadian Cartographic Association Conference, Waterloo, Ontario - 28-31 May 2002: Canadian Hydrographic Conference, Toronto, Ontario - 1 June 2002: The Path of Least Resistance, a workshop on Northeast Coastal Energy Developments, Gloucester, Maine. For information and to register, email Blossom Hoag, Sierra Club - 10-14 June 2002: American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) 2002 Summer Meeting, Victoria, British Columbia - 19-21 June 2002: Science and Local Knowledge: Making the Linkages Work in Canada's MPAs, Moncton, New Brunswick. For information, email Marise Robichaud. - 24-28 June 2002: Coastal Zone Canada 2002, Hamilton, Ontario - For a more complete list of upcoming conferences and workshops, access http://aczisc.dal.ca/conf.htm. Top of Page   APRIL 2002 A MARITIME FORUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE A Maritime Forum on Climate Action entitled Getting to Kyoto and Beyond - We Can Get There from Here, sponsored by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Canadian Climate Action Network, is scheduled for Monday, 6 May 2002 at the Saint John Delta, Saint John, New Brunswick. 1 May is the deadline for registration. For information and to register, access http://www.web.ca/nben/envnews/members/02/kyoto2.htm. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR NAFO The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) invites applications for the position of Executive Secretary. NAFO is an international organization with Headquarters in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is responsible for giving effect to the objectives and principles of the Convention on Future Multilateral Co-operation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (NAFO Convention), which is to promote the optimum utilization, rational management and conservation of the fishery resources of the Northwest Atlantic area. The deadline for applying is 15 May 2002. For information, access the NAFO website. FISHERY MANAGEMENT: IS IT A SCIENCE? A colloquium and forum on Fishery Management: Is it a Science? is scheduled for 1400-1600 hrs on Monday, 29 April 2002 in Room S165 Sobey Building, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The keynote address will be given by Terrance Quinn, Professor, University of of Alaska and visiting scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada at BIO and Dalhousie University. A reception will follow. For information, telephone SMU at 902.420.5668 or Dal at 902.494.3555. MARINE, COASTAL AND OCEAN RESOURCES OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR The report Estimating the Value of the Marine, Coastal and Ocean Resources of Newfoundland and Labrador has been released. It is based on data from 1997-1999. Seven private sector industry groupings and the expenditures of more than 30 federal and provincial public sector departments and agencies were examined. The study concludes that oceans-related activity, including spin-off benefits, accounted for 26.5 per cent of the total gross domestic product in the Province over this period. The report is available online. DECISION IN THE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR/NOVA SCOTIA OFFSHORE BOUNDARY DISPUTE In May 2000 an Arbitration Tribunal was established to settle the Newfoundland and Labrador/Nova Scotia offshore boundary dispute based on the principles of international law governing maritime boundary delimitation. The Tribunal's decision, announced on 26 March 2002, is available online; several maps are included. The reaction of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to the decision is available at http://www.gov.nf.ca/releases/2002/mines&en/0402n01.htm. Nova Scotia's reaction is available at http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20020408002. REPORT OF THE PUBLIC REVIEW OF OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION OFFSHORE CAPE BRETON In October 2000 the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board received a joint directive from the federal and provincial energy ministers to conduct a Public Review on the effects of potential oil and gas exploration and drilling activities offshore Cape Breton. In her report submitted on 29 March, Dr. Teresa MacNeil, the Commissioner of the Public Review, recommended that that the necessary resources be convened to assess the existing base of knowledge in relation to the DFO review, the updated exploration proposals, and the Public Review Commission's Findings. The Commissioner's report is available online. FOREST CERTIFICATION ON CROWN LAND IN NEW BRUNSWICK By 2003, New Brunswick will become the first province in Canada to obtain independent certification for all forest operations on Crown Land. Forest Certification provides a means for sellers of wood products to give assurance to buyers that the wood within the products they buy comes from sustainably managed forests. Independent certification involves an evaluation of all New Brunswick forest management and production operations, based on internationally recognized standards of sustainability. The press release and background information are available at http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/nre/2002e0341nr.htm. BASIC INTRODUCTION TO RECIRCULATION IN AQUACULTURE The Canadian Aquaculture Institute is a division of AVC Inc. located at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown. Based at the University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Atlantic Veterinary College), the Institute provides regional, national and international continuing education in aquaculture medicine, fish health, and management. On 9-10 May, the Institute will be offering the course "Basic Introduction to Recirculation in Aquaculture" at the Cardigan Fish Hatchery in Cardigan, PEI. For information, access http://www.upei.ca/~cai/agenda2002b.htm. 40-YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT BIO The Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO), located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is Canada largest ocean research institute. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, BIO will be holding open houses on Saturday and Sunday 27-28 April 2002. Activities will include displays of marine life, tours of research ships and informative talks. For information, access http://www.bio.gc.ca/openhouse2001.htm. 5TH BAY OF FUNDY SCIENCE WORKSHOP The 5th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop, scheduled for 13-16 May 2002 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, will focus on the health of the Bay’s ecosystems, living resources (wildlife, fisheries) and coastal communities. It will emphasize progress achieved and activities underway on the many environmental and resource issues facing the Bay. The Bay of Fundy Coastal Forum, scheduled for 15-16 May, will be an integral part of the Workshop. CANADA CORPORATE WETLANDS RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP A clone of the US Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP) is under active consideration in the Maritimes with the Bay of Fundy as the possible initial focus. The CWRP is a public-private partnership between the federal government, state governments and private corporations in the U.S. with the goal of restoring wetlands and other aquatic habitats. For further information on the Canadian proposal, email Reg Melanson, Canadian Wildlife Service. For information on the CWRP, access http://www.coastalamerica.gov/text/cwrp.html. NITROGEN CONTAMINATION IN THE GULF OF MAINE/BAY OF FUNDY A report entitled 2001: Managing Nitrogen Impacts in the Gulf of Maine is now available from The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) at the University of New Hampshire. For copies, email Amy Rowe. The report is based on the proceedings of a regional workshop of experts (Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 2001) in support of the Gulf of Maine Council's Action Plan. AQUANET REQUEST FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS 31 March 2003 is the deadline for submitting proposals to AquaNet, a Network of Centre of Excellence for aquaculture in Canada, to develop and deliver practical workshops designed to promote and assist the Canadian aquaculture sector. It is expected that these workshops will be held in different parts of Canada, in close proximity to active aquaculture operations. AquaNet is prepared to fund up to half the costs of each workshop to a maximum of $6000. For information, access http://www.aquanet.ca/education/workshops.html. Enquiries should be directed to Melissa Struthers. CANADA'S THIRD NATIONAL REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE Canada, along with other signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is obligated to submit to the UNFCCC Secretariat periodic national communications (reports). Canada's 3rd National Report on Climate Change includes an overview of Canada's National Implementation Strategy on Climate Change and resulting key policies and measures; a summary of Canada's national greenhouse gas inventory and projections of emissions to 2020; and an overview of the science, impacts and adaptation issues facing Canada in the future. The report is available online. CHS ONLINE WEB CATALOGUE The interactive Canadian Hydrographic Service On-Line Chart Catalogue was designed to give a graphical representation of CHS products and to provide up-to-date information about the products in the form of reports. The Catalogue and plug-in software are available at http://webcat.charts.gc.ca/en/. NEW PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS ACT The Canadian Minister of Health has introduced a bill in the House of Commons to enact a new Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). The proposed Act would: Strengthen health and environmental protection; Make the registration system more transparent; and Strengthen post-registration control of pesticides. For information, access http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pmra-arla/english/legis/pcpa-e.html. NEW REPORTS FROM THE U.S. NATIONAL ACADEMIES - Restoring lands bordering lakes, rivers and oceans, known as "riparian" areas, should be a national goal, says a new National Academies report. Such areas perform critical ecological functions important for meeting requirements of the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, and limiting flood damage. The report is available online. - A report states that regional fishery councils that oversee trawl fishing and dredging should make better use of scientific data to help protect seafloor habitats. The report, available online, contains the first-ever compilation and analysis of data from the U.S.' most heavily trawled waters. NATIONAL U.S. COASTAL CONDITION REPORT A new U.S. federal "report card" confirms the declining quality of U.S. coastal waters and the threat that this trend poses to both humans and marine life. The report calls for a national strategy to combat nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in coastal waters. The overabundance of these nutrients -- often from agricultural runoff, sewage treatment plants and fossil fuel emissions -- is causing serious environmental damage on all of the nation's coasts, says the report. The report is available online. CALL FOR PAPERS - 1 June 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to CARIS 2002, scheduled for 3-6 September 2002 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. The theme of the Conference is "Revolutionizing Geomatics". - 15 June 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the 2nd International Symposium on GIS and Spatial Analyses in Fishery and Aquatic Sciences, scheduled for 3-6 September 2002 at the University of Sussex in Brighton, U.K. UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND OTHER EVENTS - 29 April - 2 May 2002: Biodiversity Analysis Workshop, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St. Andrews, New Brunswick. - 12-16 May 2002: Coastal Zone Asia-Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand. - 13-15 May 2002: International Global Ocean Exploration Workshop, Paris, France. - 19-22 May 2002: Coastal Society 2002 Conference, Gavelston, Texas. - 20-22 May 2002: 7th International Conference on Remote Sensing for Marine and Coastal Environments, Miami, Florida. - 22-24 May 2002: 4th GEOIDE Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario. - 22-25 May 2002: 36th Annual Congress of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Rimouski, Québec. - 27-29 May 2002: 2002 Canadian Cartographic Association Conference, Waterloo, Ontario. - 28-31 May 2002: Canadian Hydrographic Conference, Toronto, Ontario. - Postponed to 27-30 May 2003: Offshore Oil and Gas Environmental Effects Monitoring Workshop, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. - For a more complete list of upcoming conferences and workshops, access http://aczisc.dal.ca/conf.htm. Top of Page   MARCH 2002 IMPROVING FISHERIES AND OCEANS POLICY THROUGH COURT ACTION An event sponsored by the Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group, Environmental Law Students Society and Ecology Action Centre is scheduled for 7:30 pm, 25 March in Room 255, Sobey Building, Saint Mary's University, Halifax. It will feature Chris Zeman, Attorney, American Oceans Campaign who will address the improvements to U.S. fisheries and oceans policy as a result of court action. Two local speakers will present the Canadian experience with an emphasis on the ongoing legal challenge between Ecology Action Centre and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans concerning the destruction of fish habitat. For information, email Mark Butler at EAC. GEOCONNECTIONS CGDI WORKSHOP The Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure will coordinate Canada's numerous geographic information databases and make them accessible through a common portal on the Internet. The CGDI is being built by GeoConnections, a national partnership initiative led by Natural Resources Canada. On 11 April at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, GeoConnections is hosting a free half-day Workshop in conjunction with GEOTec on GeoConnections and its seven programs. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. If you are interested in attending the Workshop, email the GeoTec organizers. ATTENTION FRAGILES: POSTE DE COORDONNATEUR-TRICE Attention Fraîle a pour objectifs de promouvoir la conservation et la mise en valeur du patrimoine naturel, d’informer et de sensibiliser le public sur les réalités et les problématiques environnementales et de participer à la recherche d’alternatives et de solutions aux activités nuisibles à l’environnement aux Iles-de-la-Madeleine. Attention Fragîles désire combler le poste de coordonnateur-trice. Veuillez faire parvenir votre candidature avant le 22 mars 2002 à 16h30. Pour des renseignements, contactez attention.fragiles@sympatico.ca. CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA-LEVEL RISE ON PEI The final study report Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Sea-level Rise on Prince Edward Island is now available as GSC Open File 4261 on CD; the cost is $40. The CD includes a synthesis report and supporting documents on sea-level rise; storm surge, wind, wave and sea-ice climatology; high precision 3D mapping of tidal datums in the southwest Gulf of St. Lawrence; airborne imaging, digital elevation models and flood maps; coastal geology and shore zone processes; evaluating socio-economic impacts; and adaptation. To obtain a copy, email Susan Merchant. SHIPPING COMPANY FINED FOR OIL SPILL OFF NOVA SCOTIA A shipping company based in the Philippines has been fined $125,000 for dumping oil off the Nova Scotia coast. Transport Canada initiated an investigation after the M/V Baltic Confidence was sighted illegally discharging an oily substance in Canadian waters approximately 85 nautical miles southwest of Halifax. For information, access http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/atl/2002/02_a002e.htm. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON GROUNDFISH STOCKS IN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) will hold public consultations to gather information from stakeholders on Gulf of St. Lawrence groundfish stocks. Meetings will be held on: 18 March in Port Saunders and 19 March in Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland; 20 March, Gaspé, Québec; 21 March in Moncton, New Brunswick and 22 March in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. For details, click on 'News Releases' in the FRCC website. ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE BAY OF FUNDY The Conservation Council of New Brunswick has announced the release of a new report on the ecological health of the Bay of Fundy entitled Two Hundred Years of Ecosystem and Food Web Changes in the Quoddy Region, outer Bay of Fundy. The report synthesizes and analyzes information and data covering two hundred years of human development in the Quoddy Region. For information on purchasing a copy, email the CCNB. UPPER BAY OF FUNDY BIOSPHERE INITIATIVE A planning committee has been established to seek local support and develop a nomination document for application to the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program. If successful, the Upper Basins of the Bay of Fundy could become the 2nd UNESCO Biosphere Region in Atlantic Canada and one of only 12 in Canada. For information, access the Biosphere newsletter available on the Biosphere Initiative website. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN COASTAL WATERS Aquatic invasive species arrive mostly by ship. But biologists are discovering that more of these intruders are being transplanted from home aquariums, fish markets, backyard water gardens and other sources into coastal waters. Read about recent moves to address the problem in the spring issue of the Gulf of Maine Times online edition available at http://www.gulfofmaine.org/times/. USES OF REMOTELY-SENSED OCEAN COLOUR DATA The Biological Oceanography group of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography will host a one-day information meeting on 22 March 2002 on the principles and application of remotely-sensed ocean colour data. The meeting is an opportunity to learn about the potential of the technology to provide a window into the marine ecosystem on synoptic scales. There will be no charge for participation. For information and to register, email Carla Caverhill. OCEAN FORECASTING IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE The winter edition of the St. Lawrence Observatory newsletter features updates on the various products available on the Observatory Portal, including ocean forecasting maps of surface currents, sea surface temperature, sea ice and a long range ice forecast for the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The newsletter is available online. MASSIVE DECREASE IN NORTH ATLANTIC FISH According to researchers at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) held in Boston recently, in the last 50 years, the number of fish people most like to eat has decreased by more than half in the North Atlantic Ocean because of fishing. They claim that the amount of fuel and energy required to catch the fish that are left has increased ten-fold, and the price of the fish on the open market is also on the rise. A summary is available online. COASTAL ZONE CANADA 2002 The deadline for submitting abstracts for individual presentations and special sessions to the Coastal Zone Canada 2002 Conference entitled Managing Shared Waters has been extended. The Conference will be held from 23-28 June 2002 in Hamilton, Ontario. The deadline for early registration is 1 April. For information, access the Conference website. CANADIAN OCEAN MAPPING CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY The Canadian Centre for Marine Communications (CCMC) is currently undertaking an Analysis of Canadian Ocean Mapping Capability and Capacity. A survey questionnaire can be accessed at http://www.ccmc.nf.ca/corporate/survey. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, 20 March 2002. OCEANS AND SEAS This briefing paper, prepared for Earth Summit 2002, concentrates principally on two key areas: Unsustainable fisheries; and Marine pollution and degradation. It seeks to chart current approaches for sustainably protecting and managing the marine environment by looking at underlying problems, identifying policy drivers and outlining some of the possible next steps for making progress in the future. It is available on the Earth Summit website. ONLINE TRAINING MODULES FOR ICM A multimedia distance training package on Integrated Coastal Zone Management is available at http://www.coastlearn.org/. Modules include Principles of ICZM, Policy Analysis, GIS, and Environmental Risk Assessment. The modules can be studied independently, are written especially for the WWW and are illustrated with figures. NATIONAL NEEDS FOR COASTAL MAPPING AND CHARTING IN THE U.S. The U.S. Academy of Sciences study will identify and suggest mechanisms for addressing national needs for spatial information in the coastal zone. The study team will identify high priority needs, evaluate the potential for meeting these needs based on the current level of effort, and suggest steps to increase collaboration and ensure that the U.S. need for spatial information in the coastal zone is met in an efficient and timely manner. For information and to provide feedback, access the NAS website. OCEAN SURFACE CURRENTS A web-based ocean current reference and educational site is being constructed at http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/. Examples are available for the Atlantic Gulf Stream and Loop-current. The plan is to have each major ocean current contain a listing of important links, text (average transports, current variability, etc.), and data plots. Material and input is being sought. For information, email Arthur Mariano. IGU COMMISSION ON COASTAL SYSTEMS Membership is being sought by the International Geographical Union Commission on Coastal Systems (IGU-CCS). The goal of the Commission is to encourage the study of coastal systems throughout the world, with emphasis on issues of Global Change. For information, including the recent issue of the CCS newsletter, access the Commission website. COMPENSATING FOR WETLAND LOSSES IN THE U.S. Compensating for Wetland Losses Under the Clean Water Act, a new report by the U.S. National Research Council, says that although the loss of total wetland area has slowed in the past two decades, these programs should be improved to meet the goal of "no net loss" in wetlands area or ecosystem function. The report and other documents are available online. COASTAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION ACT PASSED IN THE U.S. The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans unanimously passed the Coastal Resources Conservation Act of 2002, a bill introduced to reauthorize the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). The CZMA provides federal grants to states to implement plans to protect their coasts. It also allows states to review any action that may have an effect on the state's coastal zone to ensure the action is consistent with the state's CZMA plan. For information, access http://www.oceanconservancy.org/. 2002 GLOBAL MARINE DIRECTORY The 2002 edition of the Global Marine Directory contains over 100,000 records, including vessel owners, shipbuilding/rig builders, marine suppliers/manufacturers, etc. A free demo version of the Directory is available online. UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND OTHER EVENTS - 25-29 March 2002: Benthic Dynamics: In Situ Surveillance of the Sediment-Water Interface, Aberdeen, Scotland. - 25-29 March 2002: International Coastal Symposium, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland. - 9-14 April 2002: Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network National Science Meeting, Gatineau (formerly Aylmer), Québec. - 11-12 April 2002: Sewage Management Workshop, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. - 29 April - 2 May 2002: Biodiversity Analysis Workshop, St. Andrews, New Brunswick. - For a more complete list of upcoming conferences and workshops, access http://aczisc.dal.ca/conf.htm. COORDINATOR FOR SGSLCS The Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Coalition for Sustainability is seeking a person qualified to fill the bilingual coordinator position. The Coalition is multi-sectoral and community-based with the mission of promoting the long-term viability of the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem. The competition will be open until 20 March 2002. For more details, email Jean-Paul Vanderlinden. Top of Page   FEBRUARY 2002 OMRN DISCUSSION ON THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE/APPROACH The Ocean Management Research Network (OMRN) is a national network which aims to link all those across Canada with an interest in research relating to the management of ocean uses. The OMRN is holding its 1st timed discussion on the Precautionary Principle/Approach from 11 to 23 March. For information on joining the OMRN (free membership) and participating in the discussion, email omrn@stmarys.ca. SEMINAR ON MULTIBEAM BATHYMETRY Gordon Fader, Geological Survey of Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, will present a seminar entitled Multibeam Bathymetry: The revolution in marine geology and the study of seabed benthic habitats, resources and hazards. The seminar will take place at 1600 hrs on Tuesday, 26 February in Room 4258 (psychology wing), Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax. MEETING ON THE USES OF REMOTELY-SENSED DATA ON OCEAN COLOUR The Biological Oceanography group of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography will host a one-day information meeting on 22 March 2002 on the uses of remotely-sensed data on ocean colour. This session will cover the principles and applications of ocean-colour data. It will provide a good opportunity to learn about the potential of this technology to give a window into the marine ecosystem on synoptic scales. There will be no charge for participation. For information and to register, email Carla Caverhill. WORKSHOP ON AQUACULTURE POLICY AND SITE APPLICATION The Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Maritimes/Gulf Regions is holding a one day workshop entitled DFO's Aquaculture Policy Framework and Aquaculture Site Application Review Process and Guidelines on Wednesday, 27 February in Moncton, New Brunswick. For information and to register for the Workshop, contact Natasha Khan by 21 February at tel 613-990-0244 or email khann@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. CCAF CALL FOR PROPOSALS 25 February is the deadline for submitting proposals to the Climate System Science of the Climate Change Action Fund. Within the Science sub-component of the Fund, proposals are invited for research that will address key gaps in the knowledge of climate system processes. For information, access the CCAF website. COASTAL AREAS PROTECTION POLICY FOR NEW BRUNSWICK A Coastal Areas Protection Policy for New Brunswick designed to establish province-wide standards for the management and the development of coastal areas has been released. The goal of the policy proposal is to conserve the ecological integrity, character and territory of coastal features, to manage the development on coastal lands and to ensure public access to and use of coastal areas. For information and to download a copy of the policy, access http://www.gov.nb.ca/cnb/news/elg/2002e0135el.htm. NOVA SCOTIA AQUACULTURE SITE MAPPING ONLINE Aquaculture site mapping in Nova Scotia is now available online for reference purposes. The site is the result of an R&D project between the Aquaculture Division of the NS Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the NS Geomatics Centre of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENT SIGNED BY NEW BRUNSWICK AND QUÉBEC An environmental co-operation agreement has been signed by the provinces of New Brunswick and Québec concerning information exchange and joint cooperation mechanisms in areas related to transboundary environmental impacts between the Provinces. This agreement will be in force for a five-year period as of the date of its signature. COMMUNITY FORUMS IN THE MINAS BASIN The Minas Basin Working Group of the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP) and its co-hosts are holding Community Forums around the Minas Basin this winter to initiate wider community involvement in sustainable economic, social and ecological development within the Minas Basin Watershed. The 2nd Forum will be held on Wednesday, 27 February in Truro, Nova Scotia. For information, email Robin Musselman. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SGSLCS The 2nd AGM of the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Coalition on Sustainability is planned for 12-13 April in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Nominations are being sought for the Steering Committee (SC). There are 7 categories of partners on the SC: community organizations and/or NGO's; academia; industry; First Nations; and federal, provincial and municipal governments. For information, email Marie-Josée Maillet, SGSLCS Coordinator. PROFESSOR ELISABETH MANN BORGESE Professor Borgese passed away, aged 83 years, on 8 February in Switzerland. Among her many accomplishments, she was co-architect of the Law of the Sea Convention, was instrumental in the organisation of the Pacem in Maribus conference series, and in 1972 she founded the International Ocean Institute, a non-profit NGO headquartered in Malta, which now has a global network of 20 operational centres, including the International Oceans Institute of Canada (IOIC) in Halifax. For further details, access the UN press release. ECONOMIC STUDY OF CANADA'S MARINE AND OCEAN INDUSTRIES The Economic Study of Canada's Marine and Ocean Industries, prepared for Industry Canada and the National Research Council of Canada, discusses traditional and emerging industries and technologies associated with Canada's oceans. A variety of goods and services have been identified, including marine and ocean technologies as well as traditional industries. The report is available online. RURAL COMMUNITY DIALOGUE TOOLKIT The Community Dialogue Toolkit is a "how to" guide for holding community-based dialogue sessions. It provides a flexible approach to identifying goals, building partnerships and seeking solutions to community problems. The Toolkit is available online. OCEANS EXPLORATIONS: LEARNING FROM OUR OCEANS The radio series Oceans Explorations: Learning from our Oceans will be featured on IDEAS, the CBC Radio One program hosted by Paul Kennedy. The series will be broadcast at 9:05 pm (Atlantic Time) as follows: Parts 1-5: Monday, 18 February to Friday, 22 February 2002; Parts 6-8: Thursday, 28 February, 7 March and 14 March. Details are available on the IDEAS website. EXAMINING THE EFFICACY OF MARINE RESERVES The 19 January broadcast of the science program Quirks & Quarks on CBC Radio 1 featured a report on the efficacy of Marine Reserves. Audio sound files of interviews with scientists and fishers and relevant reports are available on the Quirks & Quarks website. GEOCONNECTIONS CALL FOR PROPOSALS - The GeoConnections Secretariat and the U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) are co-sponsoring a 3rd RFP for the development of framework data that use a common geospatial data framework. 15 March is the closing date. - The GeoConnections Framework Data Committee is soliciting project suggestions and ideas to contribute to the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) through requests for proposals. 1 April 2002 is the closing date. For information, access the GeoConnections website. TOOLS FOR REDEFINING THE LIMITS OF THE COASTAL ZONE The current issue of GeoCoast features an article by Stephen King and David Green entitled Redefining the Limits of the Coastal Zone: Bridging the Gap Between Land and Sea Using Remote Sensing, GIS, and the Internet. The article states that remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and the Internet can offer potential solutions to many of the problems associated with defining the limits of the coastal zone for ICM. The article is available online. PEW REPORTS - Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Climate Change Potential Impacts on Inland Freshwater and Coastal Wetland Ecosystems in the United States, available at http://www.pewclimate.org/projects/aquatic.cfm. - Marine Pollution in the United States, available at http://pewoceans.org/oceanfacts/2002/01/11/fact_22987.asp. The report states that increases in plant nutrients are the most pervasive pollution risk for estuaries, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other coastal ecosystems. OCEAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE U.S. The final report of the U.S. Ocean Information Technology Infrastructure (OITI) Steering Committee entitled An Information Technology Infrastructure Plan to Advance Ocean Sciences is available online. This plan assesses the state of ocean information technology (hardware, software, networking / communications, and people) and recommends ways to meet the projected needs of the ocean science community. CALL FOR PAPERS - 28 February 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network National Science Meeting, scheduled for 9-14 April 2002 in Gatineau (formerly Aylmer), Québec. - 1 March 2002 is the revised deadline for submitting abstracts to the 36th Annual Congress of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, scheduled for 22-25 May 2002 in Rimouski, Québec. UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND OTHER EVENTS - 19-21 February 2002: Atlantic First Nation Fisheries Training Conference, Moncton, New Brunswick. - 20-21 February 2002: 1st ESSIM Forum Workshop, Halifax, Nova Scotia. For information, email Glen Herbert or Scott Coffen-Smout. - 21-22 February 2002: Workshop for the North American Biodiversity Information Network Portal, Montréal, Québec. - 23-27 February 2002: Watershed 2002, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. - 5-8 March 2002: Operational Oceanography and Remote Sensing Symposium, London, England. - 5-8 March 2002: Oceanology International London, London, England. - 7-8 March 2002: Sustaining Seascapes: The Science and Policy of Marine Resource Management, New York City. - 19-23 March 2002: GIS in Support of Marine Protected Areas, Reserves and Sanctuaries, a Special Session being held at the 2002 Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. - 25-29 March 2002: Benthic Dynamics: In Situ Surveillance of the Sediment-Water Interface, Aberdeen, Scotland. - 25-29 March 2002: International Coastal Symposium, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland. - For a more complete list of upcoming conferences and workshops, access http://aczisc.dal.ca/conf.htm. ATLANTIC FIRST NATION FISHERIES TRAINING CONFERENCE The Atlantic First Nation Fisheries Training Conference, hosted by the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs, is scheduled for 19-21 February 2002 in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Topics of discussion include: the Fisheries Mentor Certification Program; First Nations responsible training and technical website; responsible fishing training for First Nations communities; fishing vessel maintenance and winterization; and future directions. ATLANTIC FIRST NATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE The Atlantic First Nations 2nd Environmental Conference, hosted by the Union of New Brunswick Indians, is scheduled for 6-7 February 2002 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. For information, contact Ron Perley at tel 506-458-9444 or email ron@unbi.org. The Conference will provide an opportunity to meet many of the Aboriginal people involved in and committed to the preservation of the environment and ecology of the region. Topics of discussion include water, air, and Mother Earth environmental issues on a regional basis. The event is a follow up the 1998 Environmental Conference sponsored by the Union of Nova Scotia Indians (UNSI) and held in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Top of Page   JANUARY 2002 C-CIARN ATLANTIC 2002 WORKSHOP The Atlantic Canada Regional Node of the Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaption Network (C-CIARN) will host its 1st Annual Workshop on 7-8 February 2002 at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The goals of the workshop are to: introduce participants to the impacts and adaptation side of climate change; identify the main vulnerabilities to climate change in Atlantic Canada and quantify the risk, if possible, from a stakeholder perspective; and to identify the knowledge that needs to be generated under each of these main vulnerability headings to better manage the future risk. CFCAS CALL FOR PROPOSALS The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) invites faculty members and teams in Canadian universities to apply for research grants of up to $200,000 per year. The deadline for receipt of applications is 15 February 2002. The Call for Proposals, application forms, and supporting documentation may be found on the CFCAS website. ECOLOGICALLY AND COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT AREAS IN THE SOUTHERN GULF The Atlas of Ecologically and Commercially Important Areas in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (ESRF Report #140) provides baseline information for the environmental assessment of project proposals. The Atlas, produced by Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd for the Environmental Studies Research Fund, is available online. COMMUNITY FORUMS IN THE MINAS BASIN The Minas Basin Working Group of the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP) and its co-hosts are holding Community Forums around the Minas Basin this winter to initiate wider community involvement in sustainable economic, social and ecological development within the Minas Basin Watershed. The 1st workshop will be held on Thursday, 24 January in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. For information, email Robin Musselman or Pat Hinch. CANADA'S OCEAN MAPPING CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY The Canadian Centre for Marine Communications (CCMC), in partnership with the Canadian Hydrographic Service, has initiated a study to assess Canada's ocean mapping capability and capacity. The results of the study will be used to assess whether the country has the internal resources to effectively address future ocean mapping requirements. For information, email Bill Carter, CCMC. OCEANS EXPLORATIONS: LEARNING FROM OUR OCEANS The special eight-part radio series entitled Oceans Explorations: Learning from our Oceans will be featured on IDEAS, a CBC Radio One program hosted by Paul Kennedy. The series is a special IDEAS outreach project coordinated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, CBC Radio One, and the International Oceans Institute of Canada. It will be broadcast on IDEAS at 9:05 pm (Atlantic Time) as follows: - Monday, 18 February to Friday, 22 February 2002 (Parts 1-5) - Thursday, 28 February 2002 (Part 6) - Thursday, 7 March 2002 (Part 7) - Thursday, 14 March 2002 (Part 8, final episode) IDEAS is also available online in Real Audio. For information, access http://radio.cbc.ca/programs/ideas/oceans. COASTAL ZONE CANADA 2002 15 February 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to Coastal Zone Canada 2002 scheduled for 23-28 June 2002 in Hamilton, Ontario. The theme of this 5th international biennial conference is Managing Shared Waters. The Conference is sponsored by the Coastal Zone Canada Association, Pollution Probe, and the United Nations University: International Network on Water, Environment and Health. CLIMATE CHANGE AND PUBLIC POLICY IN CANADA Isuma, the Canadian Journal of Policy Research, is dedicated to policy-relevant research on issues that are cross-disciplinary and multi-dimensional. The focus of the Winter 2001 Issue is Climate Change; the articles contained present many of the issues related to Climate Change and identify the public policy choices and concerns. Isuma is available online. STATUS OF WILDLIFE HABITAT IN CANADA A Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) report on the status of wildlife habitat concludes that all of Canada's major habitat areas - Arctic, Coastal and Oceanic, Agricultural, Forested and Urban - are under stress from human development. WHC is urgently recommending that a National Habitat Council be formed to respond to wildlife habitat issues. The Report is available by clicking on Habitat Status at the left of the screen at http://www.whc.org/whc/WHCHabitatStatus.nsf/HabitatStatus?OpenFrameSet. STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN NORTH AMERICA The North American Mosaic, a report on the state of the environment in North America produced by the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, is available online. Some of the report's conclusions: Rise in sea level due to global warming will threaten areas worldwide, including the Bay of Fundy which already has impressive tides; Soil erosion is declining but threat of drought is rising; North Americans are "fishing down the food chain"; GDP revisions needed to measure "true cost" of development; Canada and the United States are the world's largest per capita water users. COASTAL AND OCEANS GOVERNANCE AND THE GPA Participants from 98 countries met in Montréal, Québec in November 2001 to review the implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA). The meeting put forward the GPA as a suitable means of improving international coastal and oceans governance. The Montréal Declaration, an outcome of the meeting, will be a major contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002. The Declaration and other GPA documents are available at http://www.gpa.unep.org/igr/default.htm. SUSTAINABLE COASTAL AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT The GESAMP document entitled Planning and Management for Sustainable Coastal Aquaculture Development is available at ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/document/gesamp/Y1818e00.pdf in PDF format. GESAMP is an advisory body consisting of specialized experts nominated by the sponsoring agencies (IMO, FAO, UNESCO-IOC, WMO, WHO, IAEA, UN, UNEP). Its principal task is to provide scientific advice concerning the prevention, reduction and control of the degradation of the marine environment. THE EUROPEAN UNION'S ENVIRONMENT ACTION PROGRAMME Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice, the 6th Environment Action Programme of the European Community, is available at online. Environment 2010 takes a wide-ranging approach to environmental challenges and gives a strategic direction to the Commission's environmental policy over the next decade. The new Programme identifies four priority areas: Climate Change; Nature and Biodiversity; Environment and Health; and Natural Resources and Waste, and identifies approaches to achieve improvements in these areas. SYSTEMATIC DISTORTIONS IN WORLD FISHERIES CATCH TRENDS At present, only one institution, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) maintains global fisheries statistics. FAO must generally rely on the statistics provided by member countries. An article by Reg Watson and Daniel Pauly of the University of British Columbia, published in Nature (#414), states that misreporting by countries with large fisheries, combined with the large and widely fluctuating catches of species, can cause globally spurious trends. Such trends prevent the effective management of international fisheries. For details, access http://www.nature.com/nsu/011129/011129-12.html. CALL FOR PAPERS - 28 January 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the Offshore Oil and Gas Environmental Effects Monitoring Workshop: Approaches and Technologies, scheduled for 29-31 May 2002 at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. - 31 January 2002 is the new deadline for submitting abstracts to the 5th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop, scheduled for 13-16 May 2002 at Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The theme of the Workshop is Health of the Bay of Fundy: Assessing Key Issues. - 1 February 2002 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the 36th Annual Congress of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, scheduled for 22-25 May 2002 in Rimouski, Québec. The theme of the congress is the Northern Environment. UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND OTHER EVENTS - 20-21 February 2002: 1st ESSIM Forum Workshop, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 21 January 2002 is the deadline to register. To receive the discussion papers and to register, email Glen Herbert or Scott Coffen-Smout. - 23-27 February 2002: Watershed 2002, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. - 5-8 March 2002: Operational Oceanography and Remote Sensing Symposium, London, England. - For a more complete list of upcoming conferences and workshops, access http://aczisc.dal.ca/conf.htm. Top of Page

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