Terms of Reference

State of the Pacific Ocean: 2012 Workshop

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

February 15-16, 2012
Nanaimo, B.C.

Chairpersons: Jim Irvine and Bill Crawford

Context

Annual state of the ocean reporting in the Pacific Region is provided by the Pacific Region Fisheries and Oceanography Working Group (FOWG), in conjunction with the regional Centre for Science Advice Pacific (CSAP) and the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) in Ottawa.

Significant changes have occurred in recent years in physical and biological oceanographic conditions and the state of fishery resources. Annual monitoring and reporting provides a synopsis of current status, how it is changing, and how these changes may affect commercial and non-commercial resources in the region.

The influences of ocean conditions are an important component of fishery resource assessment. The annual State of the Pacific Ocean Report provides an overview of these conditions, which can then be used by DFO Science Branch in resource assessments.  DFO Fisheries Management Branch and Ecosystem Management Branch incorporate information provided in the annual State of the Ocean publication to inform risk-based management decisions.

In addition, the publications address to a growing public interest in the state of the Northeast Pacific Ocean.

Objective

To develop a synopsis of the physical and biological state of the ocean off Canada’s Pacific coast in a workshop setting. Focusing on 2011, relevant scientific information will be provided in short (~15 minute) presentations followed by discussion.

Expected publications

• CSAS Research Document
• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

Participants (approximately 70) will include DFO Oceans and Resource Assessment sectors primarily within Science, and external participants from academia, other Canadian and American federal and provincial agencies, and the NGO community.

Sources of Information

Published State of the Pacific Ocean advisory reports and research documents from previous years are available at:
 http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/psarc-ceesp/osrs/index-eng.htm