BoFEP is a partnership of individuals and organizations working together to understand, protect, manage and wisely use a unique coastal marine ecosystem – the Bay of Fundy.

The Bay of Fundy is an integral part of a much larger oceanographic entity – the Gulf of Maine – which we sometimes refer to, particularly when our American colleagues are present, as the Greater Bay of Fundy.

Another ecologically important part of the Bay of Fundy is its extensive watershed area from which freshwater drains into the Bay. This encompasses large parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, tracts of northeastern Maine and, surprisingly, a small area of Quebec. Human activities in this large terrestrial zone may ultimately have impacts on the marine ecosystems of the Bay.

Europeans, who first began settling around the Bay some 400 years ago, were greatly impressed with the region’s remarkable biological richness, diversity and productivity – both on land and in the coastal waters. Over the centuries, the Bay and its watershed have sustained a diverse and productive economy in the many communities that have sprung up all along its coastline. The Bay area has played an important role in fisheries, shipbuilding, transportation, mining, forestry and agriculture. Nowadays, aquaculture, ecotourism and energy production are becoming increasingly important components of the economic mix. It has indeed shown itself to be a Bay of great promise.

Unfortunately, there is mounting evidence that this great promise is gradually being undermined and compromised by human activities. Fish stocks have been severely depleted, forests have been overharvested and largely transformed into monoculture fibre farms, rivers have been blocked and polluted, coastal habitats have been degraded and wildlife populations have been decimated.

This very successful workshop resulted in a proceedings document that provided updated overviews of the knowledge of the Bay and the key issues facing it. It also outlined a comprehensive action plan for future work. An important recommendation was the formation of a broader more inclusive organization involving all who had an interest in the Bay. This new organization, later to be called the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP), was to serve as a catalyst for research and conservation activities around the Bay as well as a communications network for sharing information and concerns. The workshop also recommended the creation of a website, the preparation of non-technical “Fundy Issues” publications to educate and engage the public,  and a regular series of biennial workshops to share research findings and discuss information needs. It was also proposed that a number of informal working groups on specific issues would serve as the active leads for the organizations activities.

Over the years, BoFEP’s general mission has changed little, but has been carefully honed and refined into the following two statements. It should be noted that BoFEP does not normally engage in lobbying on particular issues but seeks to be an honest broker dedicated to promoting the wise and sustainable use of the Bay and its resources.

A series of more detailed strategic objectives have been defined to provide further guidance in planning BoFEP activities.

Early on it was realized that the many problems confronting Fundy were not going to be resolved by scientists alone. Kit would require the active engagement of all groups who use and benefit from the Bay and its resources. BoFEP is, therefore, an inclusive organization open to all groups and individuals who share its vision and have an interest in the well-being of the Bay.

The organizational structure of BoFEP has evolved over time to meet its changing needs. Initially, an informal ad hoc steering committee provided guidance, but over the years the more formal management structure shown here has developed, along with a detailed constitution and by-laws to regulate its operations.

As mentioned earlier, the working groups are the sharp ends of BoFEP, carrying out a variety of research, conservation and other activities on a range of different issues. Each working group has a coordinator and written terms of reference that are ratified by the Steering Committee. Each working group focuses on a specific topic of interest to BoFEP and its partners and invites participation by anyone interested in the topic or one of the groups current projects. Working groups develop their own work plans and mode of operation and report regularly to the Steering Committee about their activities.

Just to give one example of a project undertaken by a working group – the Minas Basin Working Group arranged a series of community forums in several towns around the Minas Basin to gather public input on a variety of environmental issues  and to help the communities develop plans to address their priority issues. Background documents were prepared in support of the consultation process. Over the years working groups have carried out similar consultations on a variety of issues. BoFEP has earned a reputation as an impartial intermediary and information source on controversial topics.

Approximately every two years BoFEP members get together to participate in a two or three day science workshop. This an opportunity to share research results, discuss ongoing activities and consider new ventures, as well as to socialize with colleagues and friends.

Seven such workshops have been held in the first ten years of BoFEP’s existence, each with a different theme as shown here.

As much as possible, we try to alternate workshop venue on both sides of the Bay. The workshops have been very successful and popular, typically attracting from 150 to 200 registrants. All of the workshops have been captured in a series of comprehensive proceedings. Together, these documents provide a valuable repository of up to date information about the Bay and its resources. The size of the proceedings has increased steadily over the years. As recent Proceedings approached 600 pages in length, economic considerations dictated that only CD versions be produced for distribution.

Plans are already well advanced for the next Science Workshop in May of 2009. The theme is particularly apt and it is likely that there will be considerable attention given to tidal power development and its implications. However, papers and posters on a wide range of interesting topics are invited and the submissions received will largely determine the final array of sessions.

One of the more gratifying aspects of the workshops has been the growing participation by students. They have always been welcome to present their research on an equal footing with more established researchers. In the last few workshops this student involvement has been more formally recognized by the awarding of first and second place prizes for the best papers and posters presented by students. The awards, typically consisting of cash, a book and a certificate are intended to encourage student participation and recognize excellence in their research.

The workshops have also provided an opportunity to recognize others who are making noteworthy contributions to the well-being of the Bay and its coastal communities. The Environmental Stewardship Award has been presented twice thus far, to Patricia Hinch and Peter Wells.

The Fundy Issues series has been another important BoFEP educational initiative. These non-technical reviews present up-to-date information about a wide range of topics and issues concerning the Bay.

As you can see, the topics dealt with are as diverse as the Bay itself.

Copies have been distributed widely to members, colleagues and the general public and have been particularly useful to educators and nature interpreters.

Twenty nine issues have been published over the years, usually two to three each year, and the list of topics yet to be explored is at least as long again.

BoFEP members also receive a quarterly electronic newsletter “Fundy Tidings” to keep them up to date with BoFEP’s activities, news about its partners and other relevant organizations, and useful information about the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine.

BoFEP’s website also provides a wealth of information about the organization and its activities and also serves as a repository for its own publications as well as relevant reports produced by partner organizations. If you are seeking more information about the Bay of Fundy or need assistance with projects pertaining to the Bay then please contact BoFEP by any of the means indicated.

To conclude – in a nutshell BoFEP is essentially a knowledge network dedicated to creating, sharing and using knowledge about the Bay of Fundy in support of the integrity of the Bay’s ecosystems and the well-being of its coastal communities. If you are interested in supporting BoFEP and participating in any of its activities then please visit the website where you will find more information and a membership form. Thank you for your interest and attention.