Proceedings 2013/045

Proceedings of the regional peer review of a synthesis of the outcomes from the Strait of Georgia Ecosystem Research Initiative, and their ecosystem-based management and policy implications; September 11-13, 2012

Chairperson: Marilyn Hargreaves
Editor: Mary Thiess

Summary

Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) has committed to a sustainable, precautionary and integrated ecosystem approach to oceans management. To support the development and implementation of such an approach, seven Ecosystem Research Initiatives (ERIs) were established by DFO Science to facilitate integrated research on a particular ecosystem with predefined geographical boundaries. The overall purpose of the ERIs was to serve as a pilot for DFO's ecosystem-based approach and enhancing the capacity to provide scientific advice in support of ecosystem approaches to management. Going forward, knowledge gained from these large scale ecosystem studies would allow the development and testing of tools required to manage human activities within broader aquatic ecosystems.

In Pacific Region, the Strait of Georgia was selected as the pilot study ecosystem. The Strait of Georgia Ecosystem Research Initiative began in January 2008, and concluded its directly-funded phase on 31 March 2012.

These Proceedings summarize the relevant discussions and key conclusions that resulted from a DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Regional Peer Review meeting of September 11-13, 2012 at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, B.C.  A working paper, focusing on the synthesis of key results and recommendations arising from the Strait of Georgia ERI, was presented for peer review.

In-person and web-based participation included Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science and Fisheries and Aquatic Management Sectors staff from regional and national offices, as well as staff from other federal government agencies, and external participants from academia and environmental non-governmental organizations.

The conclusions and advice resulting from this review will be summarized in a Science Advisory Report to provide fisheries scientists and managers with some preliminary findings to consider as they transition to an ecosystem approach to management.  In addition, the products of this review will contribute to a national CSAS review of the lessons learned from the ERI processes conducted nationwide, scheduled to be held in November 2012.

The Science Advisory Report and supporting Research Document will be made publicly available on the CSAS Science Advisory Schedule.

Complete document (PDF, 248 KB)

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