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~ FUNDY
TIDINGS ~
December 2011 ~ Winter Issue | |
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HEADLINES:
B. Partners and other organizations: C. Fundy/GOM and other News: D. Administrivia - [Subscribing and unsubscribing} | |
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1. BoFEP 2011 Annual General Meeting The 2011 Annual General Meeting of BoFEP was held on October 27th at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs Centre. Thanks to Centre Director Jenna Boon for hosting the meeting once again at this wonderful facility. Our guest speaker this year was naturalist and author Harry Thurston who gave an engaging overview of his newest book "The Atlantic Coast: A Natural History". Given the audience and venue he also offered some observations based on his long involvement with the issue of tidal power and its potential impacts on the Fundy environment and wildlife.
Peter Wells presented the Chair's Report in which he gave an overview of the past year's activities of BoFEP and some thoughts on future activities. He offered "Special thanks…. to Environment Canada (Atlantic Region) for its continued funding of BoFEP through the Atlantic Ecosystems Initiative (AEI)".
Some of the Years Highlights included: Environment Canada (AEI) projects: Completion of the EC project and report to EC for FY 10-11 (April 2011), entitled “Protecting the Bay of Fundy from Pollution from Land-based Activities”, in which there were three subprojects. A project report is on the BoFEP display table. A new proposal was submitted to Environment Canada for FY 11-12; it is entitled “Utilizing a Comprehensive Approach for Addressing Toxic Chemical Concerns Affecting Sustainable Use of the Bay of Fundy”. This was awarded in August 2011, and funded in September. We are now moving ahead with this project, which builds on our work and partnerships from last year. The Strategic Plan for BoFEP: It is now completed as a working document, and is in your package. It reflects several years of discussion and work by sub-committees of the Outreach WG, and the deliberations of two special Steering Committee meeting where it was reviewed and discussed in detail. The Plan includes several initiatives which you will hear about in the Outreach report. They are now being implemented. Communications : there has been a very busy year, with contributions to the ACCESS Conference (May 2011), GOMC meetings, and countless others by members; running the website and placing Fundy information on it (you will hear more about this!); application to DFO for further funding of the Fundy Issues book- summer 2011 (you will also hear status of this project); and Program preparation for the 9th Fundy workshop. The BoFEP 9th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop: entitled “Protecting the Watersheds and Estuaries of the Bay of Fundy: Issues, Science and Management”: This workshop was held successfully in Saint John, NB, in late September, organized by ACAP Saint John and BoFEP . A Proceedings is now in preparation. Working Groups: Continuation of working group activities and research of the working groups on Fundy informatics (Elaine Toms and team), mudflat ecology (Myriam Barbeau, Diana Hamilton, and their team), marine biodiversity (Maria Bucheta and Coastal Livelihood Trust), stress and cumulative effects (Mick Burt/PGW), and Outreach (Marianne Janowicz and team). Significant contributions were made to the Fundy Workshop by these groups.
Peter concluded by noting that "thanks to a really great management team, and constant support from the wider membership and sponsors, BoFEP remains active, financially viable, productive, and looking forward to another year working on behalf of the Bay of Fundy in all of its dimensions.
The BoFEP Strategic Plan for 2011-2015 was presented at the meeting and will provide organizational and operational guidance for BoFEP over the next few years.
At the meeting members of the2011-2012 Steering Committee were elected and then, immediately upon the adjournment of the AGM the newly elected Steering Committee members met briefly and elected members of the Management Committee from amongst their number.
2. BoFEP Chair Steps Down In late November, the BoFEP Nomination Committee announced that Peter Wells, the Chair of BoFEP for several years, had submitted his resignation to the Management Committee "due to his unexpected work commitments". Vice Chair, Marianne Janowicz, temporarily assumed the role of Chair as specified in the BoFEP Constitution. Peter will continue to serve on the Management Committee in the ex-officio position of Past Chair. The Nominations Committee has invited the members of the Steering Committee to nominate a new Chair as well as at-large members of the Management Committee and two members of the Steering Committee.
3. Bay of Fundy Book Moving Ahead A book about Bay of Fundy Issues (as yet untitled) is finally moving ahead more rapidly. The new publication, intended for a general, non-technical audience, consists of a compilation of the 31 Fundy Issues fact sheets that have been produced by BoFEP over the past several years. The book manuscript is presently undergoing structural and substantive editing, with the assistance of an independent professional editor. It is being reorganized, revised and updated as required. The general theme of the book, reflected in the overall organization of its 9 sections and 31 chapters is "change in the Bay of Fundy". BoFEP extends thanks to DFO for providing additional funding for completing this long anticipated project.
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B. Partners and other organizations:
1. Coastal CURA Conference Presentations Available Conference presentations from the International Coastal CURA Conference "People in Places - Engaging Together in Integrated Resource Management" that was held on 27-29 June 2011 in Halifax, Nova Scotia are now available online. Further information about the Community University Research Alliance (CURA) and its objectives is also available online.
2. Deadline Extended for Comments on NS Coastal Strategy NS Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has announced that the deadline for comments on the Province's draft coastal strategy has been extended to Friday, December 16, 2011. The draft strategy focuses on seven issues that are crucial to effective coastal management:
A copy of the draft coastal strategy and feedback form are available online.
3. Help Off the Hook Fishery Cooperative Win $20K Off the Hook is one of ten finalists in "Solution Search: Turning the Tide for Coastal Fisheries" sponsored by National Geographic. This is a global contest to surface and recognize community-based innovations for near-shore fisheries based on proven successes. There were 103 entries from 48 countries, and Off the Hook was the only entry from North America to make it to the top ten. The winner of the contest will receive $20,000 to continue work in sustainable fisheries. Winners will be decided by online voting until the deadline of December 24, 2011, so we urge you to vote now while it is fresh in your mind. Visit Solution Search and find Off the Hook in the list of entries. To vote you will need to register and select three finalists…… including Off the Hook!!!!
Off the Hook is a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) cooperative started by fishermen from the Digby area with support from the Ecology Action Centre. It connects people with the fish they eat and the people who catch it. Through a CSF, subscribers buy their fish directly from the people who catch it- there are no middlemen. Fishermen get a fair price for their catch, and subscribers get fresh, sustainably caught fish. All of the fish sold by Off the Hook is caught by our fishermen with bottom hook and line- a low-impact stationary fishing gear type that does not damage the ocean floor. Community Supported Fisheries like Off the Hook help fishermen get a fair price for their catch, protect their livelihoods and ensure that low-impact fishing gear continues to be used.
4. New Version of Geospatial Tool Available COINAtlantic (Coastal Ocean Information Network- Atlantic) announces that a new version of its Geocontent Generator (CGG) is now available online and encourages potential users to give it a test drive. There are some of noticeable improvements over the past version such as the addition of some contextual help and an additional step that will allow users to preview their information before publishing their geospatial information on line. This is a free online utility that allows users to generate and publish files on the internet that may describe an organization, project, publication or data with an embedded polygon showing the geographic area of interest. Publishing files with the CGG utility facilitates their discovery by the Google search engine. A CGG Tutorial and more information about COIN Atlantic are also available online.
5. Seafloor Relief Maps of Fundy Now Available The Geological Survey of Canada has made available, for free-of-charge download, pdf format maps of the seafloor relief of the Bay of Fundy through its GeoScan Website . The maps are based on multibeam sonar surveys performed between 1993 and 2009 to map 13,010 square kilometres of the seafloor. There are seventeen 1:50,000 scale maps that constitute coverage of the entire bay. Search GEOSCAN for "Bay of Fundy and the "A-series" map numbers: 2174A, 2175A, 2176A, 2177A, 2178A, 2179A, 2180A, 2181A, 2182A, 2183A, 2184A, 2185A, 2186A, 2187A, 2188A, 2189A, and 2190A. Contact Brian.Todd@NRCan.gc.ca for more information on the Science behind the maps or the ongoing geological investigations in the Bay by GSC..
6. Coastal Zone Canada 2012 in Rimouski The Coastal Zone Canada (CZC) Association will hold the 10th biennial International CZC Conference on 9-14 June 2012 in Rimouski, Québec, Canada. The conference theme is "Time for Action" CZC 2012 will review the progress made in recent decades, examine promising approaches for addressing new challenges and explore a dynamic, proactive and participatory vision of oceans and integrated coastal zone management. The deadline for submitting abstracts and proposals for sessions is 23 December 2011. Additional information about the conference, including registration and abstract submission can be found on the Conference Website.
7. Fundy Tidal Power Shorts Fundy Energy Research Network (Fern) has announced that a new searchable tidal energy documents archive is available on its website.
In November, the FERN Socioeconomics Subcommittee released two interim reports on the Fundy Tidal Energy Socioeconomics Scoping Studies.
In Early November, The Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) released its first Environmental Effects Monitoring Report.
An Article in the November 9th Halifax Chronicle Herald based on the above monitoring report was headlined "Tidal turbine project hasn't hurt Bay of Fundy, report says". It quotes the report as concluding that the "Tidal turbine demonstration project hasn’t had any negative impact so far on the environment in the Bay of Fundy. This conclusion was seemingly based on the results from a single deployed turbine that lost communication and failed catastrophically soon after deployment. Is this report and subsequent news article hyperbolic Spin or real Science? Visit Jon's Blogspot for additional commentary on this story.
Also in early November, FORCE opened its new Visitor Centre to the public . The centre overlooks the technology test site in the Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy. The 3,000-square foot facility houses interpretive exhibits, interactive displays, a small theatre/community room, as well as space for onsite meetings and research work. It is located at 1156 West Bay Road, Parrsboro, NS.
8. State of the Gulf of Maine Report The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment has released the first of two theme papers on contaminants for the State of the Gulf of Maine Report. The paper titled 'Microbial Pathogens and Biotoxins' presents the issue and describes trends, impacts, and responses to pathogens and toxins in the Gulf of Maine. The State of the Gulf of Maine Report is a modular document that presents an ongoing evaluation of priority issues in the Gulf of Maine. http://www.gulfofmaine.org/state-of-the-gulf/contaminants.html
9. Status of Aquatic Habitats in the Gulf of Maine The Gulf of Maine Council's EcoSystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) has released an Aquatic Habitats Fact Sheet. The fact sheet summarizes data from the Gulf of Maine for three key indicators: eelgrass, salt marsh, and tidal restrictions. It introduces the concept of indicators as a means for tracking change and provides examples on how this habitat data can be accessed and used for planning and decision-making Purposes.
10. GOMCME Five Year Action Plan Deemed Successful The successful results of the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (GOMCME) Action Plan for 2007-2012 were trumpeted in a November 28th press release from the New Brunswick Environment Minister and the Chair of GOMCME. GOMCME is a Canada/U.S. partnership of government agencies, non-government organizations and business interests which exchange information and engage in long-term planning to protect and enhance the environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine and its watersheds. During the 2007- 2011 period the Council funded 49 new habitat restoration projects that were delivered by municipal governments, non-profits organizations, and other partners. Habitat projects alone received federal grants totalling $2.5 million dollars, and attracted $3.8 million dollars in matching non-federal support. These projects restored 335 acres of salt marsh, 63 miles of stream, and restored access to 1,425 acres of lake spawning habitat. The 2007-2012 Action Plan is available online, as is the press release describing some of the successful projects.
The 2012–2017 GOMCME Action Plan will be presented to the public on Wednesday, December 7 th at a media event at the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, New Brunswick.
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Fundy/GOM and
other News:
1. Long-ago catastrophic tidal expansion in Bay of Fundy? A recent paper by BIO scientists entitled "Catastrophic tidal expansion in the Bay of Fundy, Canada " suggests that 3,400 years ago a barrier across the Bay of Fundy at the level of Cape Split was catastrophically breached. This resulted in massive flooding of the Minas Basin lowlands and the establishment of the current macrotidal regime. Interestingly, they also posit that this environment changing event was observed and has been preserved by the aboriginal peoples of the Maritimes in their Glooscap legend of the giant beaver. [Catastrophic tidal expansion in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. John Shaw, Carl L. Amos, David A. Greenberg, Charles T. O’Reilly, D. Russell Parrott, and Eric Patton. Can. J. Earth Sci. 47: 1079–1091 (2010).]
2. More Great White Shark Reports in Fundy In the last issue of Fundy Tidings we described two reports of Great White Shark captures/sightings in Fundy. Soon after, Laurie Murison, Executive Director of the Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station wrote to say that there was another GWS attack on a harbour porpoise on September 8th. This was witnesses by whale watchers aboard Quoddy Link Marine Tours and photographed by Tracey Dean of Huntsman.
3. New Publication on Brier Island Birds A recent Special Issue of the Proceedings of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science (NSIS) is entitled "Birds of Brier Island" by Eric Mills and Lance Laviolette. Copies are available for sale at $25 ... a perfect Christmas gift for bird watchers. More information and order form.
The NSIS, founded in 1862, is one of the oldest learned societies in Canada and will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2012. NSIS provides a forum to learn about and discuss scientific matters through public lectures and discussions, it Proceedings and its website. It also draws attention to issues of concern to the scientific community and promotes research and education in science. For more information about the Institute and its upcoming public lectures visit the NSIS website.
4. Controversy Still Simmers Over Genetically Modified Salmon Recent newspaper articles, locally, nationally and internationally, suggest that there is still widespread and probably growing concern about the development and production of genetically modified (GM) salmon. The Vancouver Sun noted on October 17th that an internal Environment Canada reports indicates that the department "isn't sure it can fully protect wild fish stocks if it approves the commercialization of a hatchery of genetically engineered salmon eggs."
The British Guardian newspaper of October 19th featured a lengthy article on AquaBounty one of the leading companies developing and promoting GM salmon. The article discusses concerns about escapes of GM fish and effects on wild stocks as well as controversial government grants given to the struggling company. It notes that " government grants have been crucial for AquaBounty's survival. Over the years, it has received some $3m from the US government and some $6m in funds from Canadian government." Aquabounty plans to use its Prince Edward Island research facility to commercially produce GM salmon eggs.
A report in the Daily Gleaner on October 26th discusses the results of a series of Forums held across Atlantic Canada to draw attention to the threats from GM salmon aquaculture. It notes that the NB salmon farming industry is "strongly opposed to the production of GM salmon".
5. Aquaculture Company Charged with Use of Illegal Pesticides In early November three executives of Cooke Aquaculture, based in New Brunswick, were charged with violating sections of the federal Fisheries Act by using an illegal pesticide (Cypermethrin) to control sealice at a company salmon farm site. The incident occurred in November 2009 in Maces Bay and resulted in the death of large numbers of lobsters in the area. Each charge involves a $1 million maximum fine and up to three years in jail. Company CEO Glen Cooke in a letter to company staff complained that "Salmon farmers in many other countries are authorized to use it." For further details view the CBC report and the Halifax Herald report. The Atlantic Salmon Federation has also prepared an informative, concise backgrounder document (in PDF format) on Cypermethrin and the concerns surrounding its use.
In late November Cooke Aquaculture was also fined $40,000 by Health Canada for treating salmon in New Brunswick with the pesticide Salmosan 50 WP at rates that exceeded the permitted dosage. By paying the fine early it was cut in half. Yet another New Brunswick salmon aquaculture numbered company, 620309 N.B. (previously named Northern Harvest Sea Farms Ltd.) was also fined $24,000 by Health Canada for similar violations of pesticide use regulations this past summer. Again, the early payment option cut the fine in half…...hardly a deterrent! Article in Herald. Article in St. Croix Courier.
The Atlantic Coalition for Aquaculture Reform (ACAR), a group primarily comprising fishermen's' organizations, coastal community groups and wild salmon conservation groups, applauded the laying of charges against Cooke Aquaculture. They argue that "a healthy ocean supports many types of jobs, including those in the lobster fishing industry, and no job should depend on poisoning our natural resources". They also strongly suggest that government and industry should be looking seriously at moving towards land-based aquaculture. ACAR press release.
6. Should Salmon Aquaculture be Forced Ashore? An October article in the New York Times entitled "Should Salmon Farms Move Inland?" suggests that such a move might help alleviate many of the serious problems associated with the widespread industry. It also notes that operating out in the ocean gives aquaculture companies too many tempting opportunities to avoid regulatory scrutiny and engage in questionable or illegal practices. In the article a representative of the Oceana Ocean Conservation Group is quoted as stating that "salmon aquaculture creates more problems than benefits".
7. Wetland Conservation Policy for Nova Scotia The Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy provides direction and a framework for the conservation and management of wetlands. The Policy identifies the legislation, regulations, and policies that are currently relevant to wetland conservation; clarifies the roles and responsibilities of government and the public in relation to wetlands; and makes this information more accessible.
8. Value and Impact of Marine Activities for New Brunswick A report entitled "Economic Impact of the New Brunswick Ocean Sector 2003-2008" provides estimates of the economic impacts for 2003-2008 using conventional indicators, such as: gross domestic product (GDP), employment and labour income. For 2008, the report finds that as a whole the New Brunswick ocean sector generated $1.1 billion in direct and spin-off GDP, along with 25,500 full-time equivalent jobs, and $950 million in earned income.
9. A New Tool for Keeping Tabs on Right Whales A new online interactive database for reporting, cataloguing and accessing Right Whale sightings from throughout the Gulf of Maine has been developed by NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Called the "North Atlantic Right Whale Sighting Survey and Sighting Advisory System" the site not only permits searching for whale sightings by region and date range but also serves as a portal to a wealth of other Right Whale Survey data, the digital whale catalogue, biological information about the species and much more.
10. Bay of Fundy Falls Short in 7 Wonders Race When the final ballots were counted the Bay of Fundy came up a little short in the race to be declared one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World. While organizers were understandably disappointed they clearly felt that participating in the contest had paid big dividends for the Bay and its tourism industry. An article in the Globe and Mail on November 11th quoted Terri McCulloch Executive Director of Bay of Fundy Tourism as emphasizing that "Our Bay of Fundy campaign was one of the most active in the competition," and further adding that "It has captivated national and international audiences." BoFEP extends thanks to Terri for spearheading such a dynamic and inspired campaign that really put Fundy on the map. | |
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