Proceedings 2010/037

Proceedings of the workshop to select Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA) in northern Foxe Basin, Nunavut

Chairpersons: D. Cobb, J. Paulic, S. Newton, L. Hartwig, and S. Newton

Summary

Regional science peer review meetings were held on 29 June 2009 in Winnipeg, MB and 10 September 2009 in Igloolik, NU with an additional meeting held in Hall Beach, NU on 19 November 2009 to provide science advice on the selection of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas in the Foxe Basin region of Nunavut. Meeting participants were to identify areas, and their main features, and then prioritize them in terms of their contribution to ecosystem structure and function. Canada’s Oceans Act authorizes Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to lead and coordinate the development of marine protected areas to allow enhanced protection of areas of the oceans and coasts which are considered ecologically or biologically significant. The meetings follow the framework established by DFO Science in developing criteria and methodologies for areas of significant biological interest (DFO 2004). The advice from these meetings will be considered by DFO Oceans Programs Division as part of the selection process leading to the establishment of a Marine Protected Area in the eastern Arctic. Meeting participants included DFO Science sector, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management sector, Oceans Programs Division and specialists from the Government of Nunavut, Parks Canada Agency and Natural Resources Canada with additional input from Environment Canada and Igloolik and Hall Beach community members. This proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions and presents the key conclusions reached at the meetings.

All reports resulting from the Advisory Meeting will be published on the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Website.

Complete document (PDF, 1731 KB)

Accessibility Notice

This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.