For up-to-date information about BoFEP meetings and other events visit: www.bofep.org/calendar.htm

BoFEP Secretariat
ACER
Acadia University
23 Westwood Avenue
PO Box 115,
Wolfville, NS  B4P 2R6

Tel  (1) 902-585-1113
Fax (1) 902-585-1054
secretariat@bofep.org

BoFEP Communications
communications@bofep.org

~ FUNDY TIDINGS ~
The Quarterly Newsletter of the
Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP)

April 2011 ~ Spring Issue

HEADLINES:

A.   BoFEP and its activities:
   
1. BoFEP 9th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop - Call for Papers and Posters
    2. BoFEP Pollution Workshop Proceedings Published

    3. BoFEP Fundy Issue on Fossils Published

    4. Successful Workshops held for Municipal Planners Around Bay

B.   Partners and other organizations:
   
1. Gulf of Maine Council on The Marine Environment News
                        - Climate Change Fact Sheet for GOM Available
                        - Aquaculture Indicators in the Gulf of Maine Available
                        - State of the Gulf of Maine Report Online
    
2. Maritime Aboriginal Aquatic Resources Secretariate (MAARS)
    3. COINAtlantic Revamps Website
    4. COINAtlantic  launches online GeoContent Generator (CGG)
    5. Bay of Fundy Discovery Centre Association Newsletters Available
    6. ACCESS 2011 Conference
    7. Tidal Energy Research Proposals Invited
    8. World's Oldest Reptile Fossil Coming Home to Joggins
    9. Study of the Influence of Nova Scotia's Coast Report
    10. Fundraising for New Fundy Discovery Aquarium at Huntsman
    11. People in Places Conference Coming Up
C.   Fundy/GOM and other News:
   
1. Noted Salmon Researcher John Anderson Dies
    2. Coastal  and Ocean Management Study Needs Participants
    3. Diadromous Fish Workshop in Maine
    4. Report on Birthing Grounds of Porbeagle Sharks
    5. Course  on Introduction to Tidal Power
    6. Canada and NS Sign Coastal & Ocean Management  Agreement
    7. Wetland Restoration Inventory planned for Saint John, NB
    8. Climate Change Guides for Developers in Nova Scotia
    9. Climate Change Guide for Canadian Municipalities
    10. New Nova Scotia Water Information Portal
    11. Fundy and GOM Salmon News Miscellany
D. Administrivia - [Subscribing, unsubscribing and submitting material]

A. BoFEP and its activities:

1.  BoFEP's 9th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop - Call for Papers and Posters

BoFEP's 9th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop with the theme: “Protecting the Watersheds and Estuaries of the Bay of Fundy: Issues, Science and Management” will take place on  September 27 - 30, 2011 at the  Delta Brunswick Hotel, Saint John, New Brunswick and will be hosted by ACAP Saint John.
Papers and posters are invited dealing with any of the following session topics:

  • Advances in understanding macro-tidal estuaries
  • Conservation of estuarine fishes
  • Coordinating monitoring programs - from the watershed to the coast
  • Cross-border issues and cooperation watershed issues
  • Estuarine issues - education and public awareness
  • Estuarine restoration
  • Freshwater-saltwater ecotoxicology
  • Fundy watersheds - research case studies
  • Information and knowledge - use and influence
  • Species at risk in Fundy watersheds and estuaries
  • Strengthening estuarine protection for Fundy watersheds
  • Tidal power development in macro-tidal estuaries - Fundy and beyond

Suggestions for other session topics are welcomed and encouraged.

Once again there will be awards for best student papers and posters.

Deadline for abstracts: June 30th, 2011  - Submit abstracts to: workshop@bofep.org
Please format and submit abstracts as outlined in the Guide for Abstracts

Visit the workshop website  for more details as they become available.
 

2. BoFEP Pollution Workshop Proceedings Published

The Proceedings of a workshop entitled, "Threats to the Health of the Bay of Fundy: Potential Problems Posed by Pollutants" was published in December 2010. The Workshop was organized under the auspices of BoFEP's Working Group on Stress and Cumulative Effects and held at the  Fairmont Algonquin Hotel, St. Andrews, New Brunswick on 30th April 2010.The 72 page proceedings was edited by M.D.B. Burt and P.G. Wells and published as  BoFEP Technical Report No. 5. The presentations included ones on monitoring contaminants, pollutants in river run-off from forest spraying as well as from agricultural practices, mercury  and organic pollutants and their effects, and the effects of Azamthiphos and pyrethroid pesticides on aquatic organisms.   The workshop concluded with a  panel discussion. A CD copy of the proceedings, which includes all the PowerPoint Presentations, is available from the BoFEP Secretariat. The 72 page PDF version of the Proceedings is also available online.
 

3. BoFEP Fundy Issue on Fossils Published

The latest release (#31) of The Fundy Issues Series has now been published. The 16 page publication  is entitled "Fundy's Fascinating Fossils: The Unique Palaeontology of the Bay of Fundy" and explores the rich trove of scientifically important fossils found all around the Bay of Fundy and the geological circumstances surrounding their formation and subsequent exposure. It includes the Precambrian Stromatolites around Saint John  NB and the rich Carboniferous remains found at nearby Fern Ledges, as well as the world-renowned Late carboniferous fossil Cliffs  at Joggins, the early carboniferous dinosaurs from Parsborro  and the early tetrapod track ways and fossils from Blue Beach ,NS.  It  concludes that, "Without question, the eroding sedimentary cliffs rimming much of Fundy contain a unique, truly remarkable and scientifically valuable record of great geological changes and biological evolution from a number of particularly important periods in the history of the Earth’s development."  and that "the Fundy region will continue to be an important and exciting arena for palaeontological research, discovery and education". Copies can be obtained from the BoFEP Secretariat and also  Fundy Issue #31 is available online.

 

4. Successful Workshops held for Municipal Planners Around Bay

A total of 29 regional and Municipal planners from around the Bay of Fundy attended a series of one day workshops held in Digby, NS, Saint John, NB and Sackville NB between March 16 and 24th, 2011. This initiative, funded by Environment Canada through its Atlantic Ecosystems Initiative,  is part of a broader two part BoFEP led project entitled "Protecting the Bay of Fundy from Pollution from Land-based activities".  Part one involving  "Assessing Ecological Risks of Chemical Contamination" is ongoing and will be reported on later. This second part, entitled "Working with Municipal Planners  to Reduce Chemical Risks from the Urban Environment" is a joint effort of BoFEP and the Ecology Action Centre.

 

The United Nations Environmental Program concluded that, worldwide, about 80% of all marine pollution results from the activities of humans on land. The bulk of the chemical contaminants present in the coastal water of the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy are also derived from land-based sources. Municipalities play a critical role in the planning and management of land-use activities in the coastal zone and adjacent watersheds. Cities, towns and villages located on the coast, or in watershed areas draining into the Bay of Fundy, can have a major influence on the health and well-being of coastal marine ecosystems, including coastal wetlands.

 

The workshops entitled "Tools for Healthy Watersheds" were designed to increase municipal and regional planners' awareness of the many complex linkages between land-based activities within their municipalities and the health of coastal habitats and watersheds. Healthy watersheds are essential for coastal communities to preserve the environment, protect the local water supply, prepare for climate change and save money.

The workshops also sought to assess knowledge gaps and information requirements in order to determine what future resources the planning community might benefit from and ways that groups such as BoFEP can work to develop tools and resources to better meet the needs of planners.

 

A full report on the results of these workshops is currently in preparation and will be posted on the BoFEP website .

B. Partners and other organizations:

 

              1. Gulf of Maine Council on The Marine Environment News

  • Climate Change Fact Sheet for GOM Available -The Gulf of Maine Council's EcoSystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) has released a fact sheet looking at climate change in the Gulf of Maine. The fact sheet summarizes data from around the Gulf of Maine for three key indicators - sea level, air temperature and precipitation - to show how the climate in the region has been changing over recent decades. The fact sheet is intended to introduce the concept of indicators for tracking change and to demonstrate their value in better understanding the wide-ranging effects being seen in the region. The fact sheet also provides local examples on how this climate change data can be accessed and how it might be used for planning and decision-making purposes.

 

  • Aquaculture Indicators in the Gulf of Maine Available - The EcoSystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) of the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment has released "Aquaculture in the Gulf of Maine", the first of seven indicator-specific fact sheets. The fact sheet and related indicator data are available through the ESIP Indicator Reporting Tool where it can be mapped with other indicators or graphed to show trends.

 

  •  State of the Gulf of Maine Report Online - The State of the Gulf of Maine Report is an online resource maintained by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment.  It is a modular, living document made up of a context document and a series of theme or issue papers. The context document provides an introduction to the natural and socio-economic environment of the Gulf of Maine and provides an overview of the Gulf of Maine. The theme papers provide a more in-depth look at important issues within the Gulf, based on priority areas identified by the Council. They will be developed incrementally during 2010 and 2011 and after that will be regularly updated at time intervals appropriate to each issue. Theme papers focus on :
    • Climate Change
    • Fisheries and Aquaculture
    • Coastal Development
    • Contaminants
    • Eutrophication
    • Aquatic Habitats
    • Biodiversity
    • Emerging Issues

2. Maritime Aboriginal Aquatic Resources Secretariate (MAARS)

MAARS is devoted to collectively advancing the rightful share to Atlantic Aquatic Resources and Aquaculture Operations for the sustained, viable economic growth of the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples. It is part of the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council (MAPC), a partnership of the Native Council of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council & Native Council of Prince Edward Island. To subscribe to the organization's quarterly newsletter "Netawek Ikjikum" send an email to: bbancroft@mapcorg.ca . The newsletter is also available online http://www.mapcmaars.ca.

 

3. COINAtlantic Revamps Website

The Coastal and Ocean Information Network Atlantic (COINAtlantic), an initiative of the Atlantic Coastal Zone Information Steering Committee (ACZISC), has revamped its website  to better bring together all of the various sources of information related to Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management (ICOM). COINAtlantic  seeks to develop, implement, and sustain a network of data providers and users that will support secure access to data, information, and applications for decision-making by coastal and ocean managers and users of coastal and ocean space and resources. For a more detailed overview view an on-line PowerPoint presentation at: COINAtlantic Concept PowerPoint.

 

4. COINAtlantic  implements on-line GeoContent Generator (CGG)

This tool is designed to help users generate and publish their information on-line in a format that it is searchable and findable by the Google search engine and that can be displayed by GoogleMaps. This application provides users with a library of geospatial templates for many areas in Atlantic Canada including many watersheds, estuaries and coastalsheds. Once a file has been published using the CGG, a Google search will find the file within a week or two. A simple Google search for any text in the file along with the word "KML" will allow the search engine to find the file. Once found, users can view the geographic area of the metadata by clicking on the "View in Google Maps" link which is on the line just below the title. Once the polygon is viewed in GoogleMaps, users can view the metadata by clicking on the coloured polygon. You can test this by doing a Google search for "COINAtlantic KML" and exploring some of the search results for files already published on-line.  It is hoped that we will be able to continue this development and your comments and suggestions would be very useful. Users are encouraged to give it a try at GeoContent Generator  and provide comments to coinatlantic@dal.ca.
 

5. Bay of Fundy Discovery Centre Association Newsletters Available

 Issues of the association's newsletter "In with the Tide" are now available online.

The December 2010 issue includes articles on:

  • Nova Scotia Trails the Centre of Attention
  • Creature of the Cove – The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
  •  Update on Development of a Coastal Trail on Brier Island
  • Report on Annual General Meeting

While the March 2011 issue features:

  • Association's Spring to do list
  • Interpretive signage Balancing Rock Trail and other areas
  • European Starlings
  • Retired Teacher opens Gael tours to explore human community and coastal habitats
  • Gulf of Maine Institute
  • Jerome's rock and coastal erosion

6. ACCESS 2011 Conference

The Atlantic Canada Coastal and Estuarine Research Society will hold its 2011 Spring Conference on May 12-15 at St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS. A welcoming reception is planned for the evening of Thursday, May 12th, papers will be presented all day Friday and Saturday (13th and 14th), and a field trip around Antigonish Harbour will be offered Sunday morning (May 15th). The pre-registration deadline is April 28th. Conference details available online.

7. Tidal Energy Research Proposals Invited

The Offshore Energy Environmental Research (OEER) Association has released a new Request for Proposals  for the funding of research projects on Tidal Marine Energy that address any of the following aspects of Tidal In-Stream Energy Conversion (TISEC) devices:

  • Field testing and use of appropriate tools and protocols to examine fish movements and fish/turbine interactions and avoidance.
  • Examination and testing of options for fish surveys and quantitative sampling in high flow environments.
  • Application of marine mammal detection methods to assess marine mammal activity patterns and movements relative to TISEC devices.
  • Assessment of, including alteration to, benthic habitat as it relates to cable sitting, bed-form movement and scours.
  • Examination of implications of tidal energy extraction and inshore areas Examination of submerged ice movements and risk to turbines.
  • Examination of flow interactions with TISEC devices.

The deadline dates for submissions are as follows:

  • Proposals with a field season commencing in spring 2011 - 4:00 p.m. April 8, 2011
  •  Proposals without a spring 2011 field season component:  4:00 p.m. May 2, 2011

Submit proposals in electronic form only to oeer@offshoreenergyresearch.ca.  Late proposals will be rejected. Additional information is available on the OEER website  or contact:  Jennifer Matthews at oeer@offshoreenergyresearch.ca

8. World's Oldest Reptile Fossil Coming Home to Joggins

The Joggins Fossil Institute has announced that the most important fossil ever discovered at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site is coming home to Joggins. The fossilized remains of Hylonomus lyelli, the earliest occurrence of reptilian life discovered and only found at Joggins will be on loan from the Museum of Natural History, London.  At 2 pm  on April 23rd there will be a public unveiling  of the Hylonomus lyelli exhibit at the Joggins Fossil Centre. Following the unveiling, Cambridge University vertebrate palaeontologist Dr. Jenny Clack will be giving a special presentation about the significance of this rare fossil. Hylonomus lyelli will be on display at the Joggins Fossil Centre from April 23rd until October 31st.  The loan and exhibit is a result of a partnership of the Joggins Fossil Institute and the Atlantic Geoscience Society. More details.

9. Study of the Influence of Nova Scotia's Coast Report

The Environmental Information Use and Influence (EIUI) research 

initiative based in the School of Information Management, Dalhousie 

University, has concluded a study in collaboration with the Government  of Nova Scotia that assessed the initial use and influence of the  State of Nova Scotia's Coast Report, released in December 2009. Using  a combination of interviews and questionnaires, web analytics, media  scans and citation analysis, the study examined the effectiveness of  the report's intended purpose, which was to provide baseline  information and assist public consultation on the development of the  provincial Coastal Strategy. The study found that the suite of methods  the government used to promote awareness and use of the Report was  more effective in reaching some audiences than others. Based on this  study, several recommendations were prepared to improve the use and  influence of future reports and communication materials.   The study can be downloaded from the EIUI website .

 

10. Fundraising for New Fundy Discovery Aquarium at Huntsman

Construction of the new Fundy Discovery Aquarium at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre is proceeding apace. The  public aquarium themed around the diversity of the Bay of Fundy, a natural wonder of the world for its unique tidal range and diversity of sea life, will be a highlight of a visit to the Huntsman and  the associated lecture theatre will be used for conferences, teaching, and public events. Following the announcement from the federal and provincial governments of $5 million in funding towards the new Bay of Fundy Discovery Centre, on October 19 the Huntsman launched its Seal the Deal campaign to raise the final $2 million needed for the completion of the centre.  More details and pictures.   Make a donation.

11. People in Places Conference Coming Up

Coastal CURA (Community University Research Alliance) organizing  a  conference entitled "People in Places: Engaging Together in Integrated Resource Management". From June 26-29, 2011 at St. Marys University, Halifax, NS. In addition to resource-based and aboriginal communities, the meeting will be of interest to governments, universities (academics and students), community based management and networking organizations, civil societies and NGO's, and small scale natural resource industries – all those interested in finding ways to engage together to better manage natural resources. A key goal for the 2011 meeting is to achieve a synthesis of what we have learned over the past several years, by engaging with others from around the world who are dealing with similar issues.  More information and registration.

C. Fundy/GOM and other News:

1. Noted Salmon Researcher John Anderson Dies

Members of BoFEP will be saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. John M. Anderson at the age of 84 on March 24, 2011 at his home in St. Andrews NB. Amongst his many varied accomplishments John was a former President of the University of New Brunswick, Director of the St. Andrews biological Station, Co-founder of the Huntsman Marine Sciences Centre and Vice President of Operations for the Atlantic Salmon Federation. The complete obituary is available online.

2. Coastal  and Ocean Management Study Needs Participants

Are you a coastal manager? What kind of information do you need to do your job? A research group at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia is developing an online tool to help managers find coastal and marine information quickly and efficiently.  To help with the study, tell us what coastal information you   use to understand environmental issues by completing our survey. You  can participate in person, over the phone, or online. For more  information email hci@dal.ca or call 494-8392. Please help the researchers by completing an online survey about the types of coastal information you use.

     

3. Diadromous Fish Workshop in Maine

The Diadromous Species Restoration Research Network (DSRRN) is looking for fish ecologists, fisheries biologists, and habitat/landscape/climate analysts to participate in a scientific workshop: 

"Variability of North Atlantic Diadromous Fish Populations: Establishing Reference Points for Restoration Assessment" to be held 26 - 27 May 2011 at the University of Maine, Orono, Maine. The goal of the workshop is to bring together fisheries, habitat, and climate specialists to investigate variability in changes in diadromous fish populations over time among watersheds spanning species’ ranges.  Participants must be willing to share data with other workshop participants and working groups, and/or collaborate on analyses and manuscripts identified as products of this workshop. A full description of the workshop with instructions for participation is available at: http://www.umaine.edu/searunfish/networkmeetings/network.htm 

4. Report on Birthing Grounds of Porbeagle Sharks

A feature article on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) website  describes the discovery of Porbeagle Shark birthing grounds. Over the  past 15 years, researchers at DFO's Bedford Institute of Oceanography 

(BIO) have been unravelling the life history of Porbeagle Sharks.  Until recently where they give birth had remained a mystery. Visit:   http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/publications/article/2011/01-24-11-eng.html.

5. Course  on Introduction to Tidal Power
A course entitled "Introduction to Marine Renewable Energy: Tidal Power" is being offered by the Dalhousie College of Continuing Education in Halifax on May 30-31, 2011. This course will  look at the fundamentals of electric power production,  how Tidal Power devices operate, explore the difficulties being faced in connecting the power to the grid, consider the marine environment of the Bay of Fundy, and discuss socio-economic impacts. It will also consider  government policies and look at individual Tidal projects currently ongoing in Nova Scotia and learn about the organizations in Canada focused on the support and promotion of Tidal Energy. Further details and registration.

6. Canada and NS Sign Coastal & Ocean Management  Agreement

The Tusket River Environmental Protection Association (TREPA) reports  the signing on March 23, 2011 of a Memorandum of Understanding between Nova Scotia and the Federal Government to improve management and protection of the Province's coastal and ocean resources. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau and federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea signed the Canada-Nova Scotia Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Memorandum of Understanding to stress the need for collaboration. This agreement sets the stage for federal and provincial agencies to work together more effectively on ocean and coastal management issues. The agreement will focus on: implementing Nova Scotia's future coastal strategy; integrating coastal and oceans management and planning; managing and sharing information relevant to coastal management and planning; and developing a network to advance coastal research in Nova Scotia.

 

7. Wetland Restoration Inventory planned for Saint John, NB

The New Brunswick Government Department of Environment has issued a news release about its partnering  with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) of Saint John to  establish a Wetland Restoration Inventory that will identify wetlands  in need of restoration in the Greater Saint John region. The inventory  will be used when wetland compensation is required under the  Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Regulation and the Environmental  Impact Assessment Regulation. Landowners interested in taking part in  the inventory can contact ACAP Saint John.  

 

8. Climate Change Guides for Developers in Nova Scotia

The Government of Nova Scotia has released two guidebooks designed to help project developers navigate climate change issues: "Guide to Considering Climate Change in Project Development in Nova Scotia" and "Guide to Considering Climate Change in Environmental Assessments in Nova Scotia".

 

9. Climate Change Guide for Canadian Municipalities

A comprehensive guide "Adapting to Climate Change: An Introduction for Canadian Municipalities", published by Natural Resources Canada, provides information on the need for climate change adaptation and how to put adaptation measures in place. The guide also includes case studies that illustrate how municipalities of varying sizes from across the country are taking action. It is an update and expansion of a document published in 2006 by the Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network  under the same title.

 

10. New Nova Scotia Water Information Portal

On February 9th 2011, Nova Scotia Environment released an online portal "Water for Life" to improve access to water-related information. This portal is the first step to meeting the water strategy commitment to "enhance the system for receiving and sharing water quality and quantity information with government and the public."   This portal was developed to provide  increased access to water information that already exists within the provincial government and to better share information. The Water for Life portal will grow over

time and bring more information together, such as water information within other levels of government and from community initiatives. Check it out at:   http://waterforlife.gov.ns.ca

 

11. Fundy and GOM Salmon News

  • Transport Canada is seeking public comment until May 3 for the controversial aquaculture sites proposed for St. Mary's Bay, Nova Scotia. More information and voice your concerns.
  • In his article "Fundy Feedlots" in the Atlantic Salmon Journal, veteran writer Ted Williams looks at the past, probes the present, and ponders the future of Atlantic salmon aquaculture in the Bay of Fundy. 
  • CBC Radio's Maritime Magazine aired an in-depth documentary on the dispute on the Maine/NB border over Maine’s blocking of migrating alewives (gaspereau) from the international St. Croix River.  Half-hour podcast . The CBC Television program, "Land and Sea", also covered this significant issue on Sunday, February 20 in a program entitled "Alewives: a Border Dispute"
  • Read an article by Silver Donald Cameron that appeared in the Chronicle Herald, as he presents reasons for keeping salmon farms out of the ocean.
  •  The NB Wildlife Federation explains why it is so important for the NB government to keep salmon barriers on NB rivers.
  • The excitement of the largest salmon river dam removal in North American history continues to echo in a recent column by John Holyoke of the Bangor Daily. 
  • What do you do when 138,000 farmed Atlantic salmon escape?  Apparently very little. Read more about the very latest of THREE recent cage failures.
  •  A peer-reviewed study by  ASF and other researchers, on "Adaptation Changes in Wild Atlantic Salmon Due to Farmed Salmon Interbreeding" recently appearedin the journal, "Heredity".  It suggests that farm salmon escapees have interbred with wild salmon in the Magaguadavic River, NB resulting in significant alteration of the genetic integrity of the native population.  A statement on our research on the Magaguadavic  the abstract of the paper are available online.

D. ADMINISTRIVIA

Fundy Tidings is circulated Quarterly to all registered members of BoFEP and others who have expressed an interest in BoFEP and its activities. If you know someone  who might like to receive Fundy Tidings or if you would like to be removed from the Fundy Tidings mailing list, simply e-mail a request to communications@bofep.org .

For more news items about BoFEP, its partners and the Bay of Fundy periodically check the BoFEP "What's New" page at: http://www.bofep.org/whatnew.htm.

You can also find the back issues of Fundy Tidings archived at:
http://www.bofep.org/tidings.htm

Fundy Tidings
If you would like to post an item in Fundy Tidings pertaining to BoFEP, its partners or the Bay of Fundy send it along to:
communications@bofep.org

submission deadlines
January 1st
April 1st
July 1st
October 1st