Terms of Reference
Significance of Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) Research to Marine Conservation within Fisheries and Oceans Canada
National Peer Review – National Capital Region
February 2-3, 2016
Ottawa, ON
Chairperson: Patrice Simon
Context
The Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe; pronounced Ko-nee) is a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) strategic network. The network includes researchers from universities across Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and other organizations to carry out collaborative research projects across highly applicable and interrelated research themes. CHONe research has focused over time on producing research to foster a strong science base in Canada’s marine conservation efforts.
DFO was the primary partner of CHONe in its first term (2008-14), providing significant in-kind contributions of DFO personnel, ship time and equipment, and associated operation and deployment costs. CHONe met its objective to align Canadian marine science capacities to respond to research challenges and knowledge gaps on biodiversity in Canada's three oceans, and succeeded in substantially increasing the Canadian marine science knowledge base through innovative research across a suite of topics.
CHONe has been renewed for a second term (2015-2020) and DFO is once again a major partner and provider of funded and in-kind resources. Research themes for the network, particularly those for marine conservation, were developed to align with DFO priorities over the short- to medium-term. Specifically, CHONe research over the next five years will build on the knowledge it previously acquired on biodiversity to focus on:
- ecosystem attributes that define ocean resilience and capacity for recovery or response to management strategies; and
- stressors, including cumulative impacts, that alter marine biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services in high use environments.
The CHONe network is intended to facilitate strong collaboration and communication among partners.
Relevant published and unpublished scientific information exists within CHONe that can assist in highlighting such things as significant species and/or areas for consideration in marine conservation. Further, expertise supporting current CHONe research can contribute to better understanding of best practices.CHONe research over the next 5 years will then provide the opportunity for more specific application of these best practices.
Objectives
The objectives of this meeting are to:
- Identify and discuss key findings from CHONe I relevant to identifying potential marine conservation priorities (e.g., geographic hotspots, key species, assessment tools, etc.).
- Identify and discuss foundational elements needed to define/establish best practices (theoretical and methodological) for consideration in CHONe II and in marine conservation.
- Determine next steps to ensure CHONe II results can be incorporated into marine conservation processes.
Expected Publication
- CSAS Proceedings
Expected Participation
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management (Oceans Program) sectors)
- Canadian Healthy Oceans Network
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