ACZISC STRATEGIC PLAN AND WORKPLAN

ACZISC Strategic Plan and Workplan

The ACZISC was established in January 1992 to foster cooperation in Atlantic Canada with regards to integrated coastal and ocean management (ICOM), coastal mapping and geomatics. The activities of the ACZISC are guided by a Workplan which is prepared annually by the Secretariat and ACZISC members. The Workplan focuses on the thrusts identified in the ACZISC Strategic Plan:

Provide a conduit to access, exchange and disseminate geospatial and other data / information by:
- Identifying data and information for ICOM
- Facilitating its availability to members and the public, e.g., ACZISC meetings / presentations, the monthly Coastal Update e-newsletter, the ACZISC website and COINAtlantic
- Implementing COINAtlantic – the Coastal and Ocean Information Network
- Raising awareness at appropriate venues of current and emerging initiatives and research related to information management
- Encouraging the implementation of appropriate information sharing and dissemination mechanisms

Advocate the implementation of ICOM in Atlantic Canada by:
- Networking, communication and outreach
- Providing a forum share best practices and standards and encourage their implementation
- Raising awareness at appropriate venues of current and emerging initiatives and research related to ICOM

Capitalize on collaborative opportunities involving ICOM, and geomatics in support of ICOM by:
- Establishing and maintaining linkages and partnerships among members and with other personnel, committees and organizations.
- Identifying potential collaborative and activities in support of ICOM and geomatics in collaboration with existing and emerging initiatives
- Initiating, coordinating and managing collaborative projects and activities supporting ICOM and geomatics

Maximize the viability and relevance of the ACZISC by:
- Identifying and securing funding for the Secretariat, the Association and programs
- Ensuring effective administration and operation
- Ensuring comprehensive membership in the ACZISC
- Publicizing the ACZISC and its activities.

ACZISC Working Groups, consisting of ACZISC members and others, have been established to assist the Secretariat with the delivery of specific activities and deliverables identified in the Workplan: the ICOM Working Group, the COINAtlantic Management Committee and the Communications Working Group.

COINATLANTIC
COINAtlantic, the Coastal and Ocean Information Network, is an initiative of the ACZISC. COINAtlantic's goal is to provide open access to data, information and applications relevant to ICOM in Atlantic Canada.

The COINAtlantic Management Committee was established to assist with the ongoing development and implementation of COINAtlantic. The Committee meets at the request of the chair to review, comment and provide recommendations on various aspects of the project including: identifying and adjusting work priorities and activities; financial and budgeting; and planning and strategies for success.

The COINAtlantic Management Committee chair is: Michael Butler (michael.butler at dal.ca), ACZISC Secretariat.

INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN MANAGEMENT
The ACZISC provides a non-partisan, non-political and inclusive forum for the sharing of both ideas and data, as well as ensuring there is a minimum of duplication, all of which leads to a consistency of approach in ICOM policy development and implementation.

The ACZISC ICOM Working Group is composed of ACZISC members and others with an interest in, or responsibility for, ICOM policy. It meets on a regular basis to review and discuss ICOM policy developments. The Working Group has prepared a Discussion Paper to provide a broad context for ICOM in Atlantic Canada in relation to the current plethora of committees, advisory committees and oversight groups, and to illustrate how the ACZISC contributes to this ICOM community of practice.

The ACZISC ICOM Working Group co-chairs are: Tim Hall (tim.hall at dfo-mpo.gc.ca), Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Justin Huston (hustonje at gov.ns.ca), Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

COMMUNICATIONS
The ACZISC Communications Working Group is responsible for providing advice to the Secretariat and the ACZISC on matters relating to effective internal and external communications.

The ACZISC communicates information to its members and interested parties, with respect to coastal information management and ICOM activities and programs, primarily via its website, meeting and workshop reports, and a monthly e-newsletter, the Coastal Update.

The ACZISC Communications Working Group chair is: Claudette LeBlanc (leblancc at ca.inter.net), ACZISC Secretariat.

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