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Back issues Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of BoFEP or its partners. |
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~ FUNDY
TIDINGS ~
September 2012 ~ Autumn Issue | |
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HEADLINES:
1. BoFEP's 10th Science Workshop in 2014
B. Partners and Other Organizations: 1. Launch of Acadia Tidal Energy Institute 2. FERN Website for Tidal Energy Information 3. Scientists/Citizens send SOS About Ocean Sciences 4. Retired Scientist Decries Cuts to Toxicology Programs 5. NSIS urges reconsideration of Bill C38 6. Stream Restoration Workshop in October 7. Dispute over Gaspereau in St. Croix River 8. Lecture - Farmed vs Wild Salmon 9. New Salmon Federation Website 10. Salmon Interpretive Centre Opens Website 11. New Atlas of Salmon Rivers of North America Online 12. Wanted - Shark Sightings in the Bay of Fundy! 13. Chignecto Protected Area Featured 14. Climate Change planning in NB 15. Canada's State of the Oceans Report 2012 16. Report Card on Water Health Efforts in Maritimes 17. Gulf of Maine 2012 Visionary Awards Presented 18. RARGOM Annual Science Meeting 20. NS Releases Strategy on Marine Renewable Energy 21. Report on Possible Conservation Areas in the Bay of Fundy
22. Right Whale Newsletter
2. Leatherback Turtle in Shubenacadie River 3. Video of Ocean Sunfish in Fundy 4. Orca Thrills Fundy Whale Watchers 5. Marine Monitoring Platform for Bay of Fundy 6. NS Farmland to Grow Biomass Energy 7. Paper on Rockweed Harvesting in GOM 8. Theme Paper on Eutrophication in GOM 9. Pioneer Fundy Fossil Hunter to Retire 10. Aquaculture Documentary Slams Industry 11. NS Forks Over $25 million to Cooke Aquaculture 12. The Case for Closed Containment Aquaculture 13. Grand Pré recognized as UN World Heritage Site 14. Government Continues Assault on Habitat Protection 15. Opposition to Government Attacks on Science 16. Sea Level Rising Faster on East Coast
D. Administrivia - [Subscribing and unsubscribing}
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1. BoFEP's 10th Science Workshop in 2014 Planning is already underway for the 10th Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership Science Workshop that will be held in mid June in 2014. It will take place in Halifax, NS in conjunction with the Coastal Zone Canada Conference taking place at that time. The theme for the BoFEP Workshop will be "Sustaining the Bay of Fundy: Linking Science Communication, Policy and Community Action". Proposed major session topics include:
Suggestions for other session topics are always welcome and can be submitted to workshop@bofep.org. Further information about the workshop will be provided on the BoFEP website as it becomes available.
2. BoFEP Display in CBC News Video
Several BoFEP
members attended the
launch of the
Acadia Tidal Energy Institute on September 11th in Wolfville (see
item B1 below).
The BoFEP information display was prominently featured and appeared in a
short
CBC video clip
1.31 mins. of
the event. It was also an opportunity to distribute a number of relevant
Fundy Issues and other BoFEP literature. The display is currently
appearing in Halifax as part of the open house at the Bedford Institute of
Oceanography. | |
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B. Partners and
Other
Organizations: 1. Launch of Acadia Tidal Energy Institute September 11th saw the official launch of the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute at the University's Festival Theatre in Wolfville. With almost 100 years involvement in the daunting challenge of harnessing tidal energy the University is well placed to house such a centre of innovation and research. “This is in our back yard". Says Anna redden, the Institute's new Director and also the Director of the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research (ACER). A large number of people attended the opening, enjoyed the folow-up reception and viewed the many informative displays. One of the keynote speakers at the opening, Dr. Graham Daborn, the former Director of ACER. provided a sweeping overview of the various attempts to convert tidal energy to electricity over the last century. MLA for the area and Education Minister Ramona Jennex said that tidal energy is an important component of the provincial government's Renewable Energy Strategy. (PDF). Herald article on opening. CBC video clip 1.31 mins.
2. FERN Website for Tidal Energy Information For up-to-date information about Fundy tidal power related research projects and other news visit the Fundy Energy Research Network FERN website. Of additional interest is an online searchable tidal energy information archive. Membership in FERN is free and open to all researchers involved in tidal energy-related research, including, but not limited to universities and colleges, Federal and Provincial agencies, ENGOs, Consultants, and the private sector. To apply for membership, please fill out an online membership form or contact the FERN coordinator for more information.
3. Scientists/Citizens send SOS About Ocean Sciences In July a new website was launched by the Save our Ocean Sciences group based in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. The non partisan comprises local citizens, including retired DFO scientists, who care about the town and district`s economic and environmental well being. Specifically, they want to keep the St. Andrews Biological Station Contaminants and Toxicology Department and its staff; the Biological Station Library in St. Andrews; and the Federal government to cancel the cutbacks in science! In addition to information about the cutbacks the website will also provide details about new developments, proposed protests and other events. SOS Website. Comment and contact form.
4. Retired Scientist Decries Cuts to Toxicology Programs Vladimir Zitko, a recently retired scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is highly critical of the Department's decision to close down the Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Programs in DFO. He provides a personal historical overview of the ongoing importance of these programs over three decades in protecting the health of the Bay of Fundy and its watersheds. The critical need for such research has not diminished, in fact it is steadily increasing with the industrial developments and expanding aquaculture operations around the bay. An abbreviated version of his letter appeared recently in the Canadian Chemical News. The complete version is now available.
5. NSIS urges reconsideration of Bill C38 The Nova Scotian Institute of Science (NSIS) is "concerned about the very negative impact the proposed legislation in Bill C-38 will have on the protection of fisheries and the environment. The bill essentially removes habitat protection measures from the current Fisheries Act and restricts protection to species of commercial, recreational and aboriginal importance." In a June 13th letter to Stephen Harper the Institute also raises the issue of the muzzling of federal scientists and states that "This is entirely contrary to the principles of scientific research, peer-review and dissemination of research results."
6. Stream Restoration Workshop in October A workshop entitled "Stream Restoration: Design and Monitoring", presented by the Canadian Rivers Institute, will be held in Fundy National Park, NB on October 2-4, 2012. The feature presenter, Dr. Robert Newbury, has extensive experience in stream restoration worldwide. Participants will receive instruction in fluvial hydrology, ecological considerations, restoration design and technical details, and aquatic monitoring and assessment. The workshop will be a combination of lecture and field components. Details, fees and registration.
7. Dispute over Gaspereau in St. Croix River The Passamaquoddy tribe in Maine and New Brunswick are concerned that the blocking of the St. Croix River by Maine threatens the gaspereau populations in the river. According to Chief Hugh Akagi the once abundant fish "are threatened with extinction" because Maine has been "blocking anadromous fish from accessing its ancient and traditional spawning grounds in the upper St. Croix River" since 1995. The tribal leaders feel that the blockage depletes an important traditional food source of their tribes and greatly interferes with their cultural practices. They want the state to immediately halt the blockage. Many conservation groups are also fiercely opposed to the blockage. Maine tries to keep the native gaspereau out of the system to protect an introduced species, smallmouth bass, that is more popular with recreational anglers. More details: Tribal leaders declare emergency Groups Sue over gaspereau blockade Panel to mediate gaspereau dispute
8. Lecture - Farmed vs Wild Salmon The 5th Annual Ransom A. Myers Lecture on Science and Society entitled "Farmed Salmon vs. Wild: the role of government, scientists and citizens" will be presented by renowned marine biologist Dr. Alexandra Morton at 7.p.m. on Friday October 19th, 2012 in the Potter Auditorium of Dalhousie University�s Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Avenue in Halifax. Morton will discuss the sometimes conflicting roles of government, scientists, citizens and industry in the struggle to regulate environmental impacts, and to maintain healthy and productive salmon populations in Canada. Admission is free and a reception will follow.
9. New Salmon Federation Website The Atlantic Salmon Federation has a brand new logo and a fresh new website to keep you up to date on things salmony. You can also subscribe to the Federation's online mail list to have the latest in salmon news delivered straight to your mailbox. The Federation website is also a good source of information about the ongoing controversy over open pen farming of Atlantic salmon.
10. Salmon Interpretive Centre Opens Website The Dr. Wilfred M. Carter Atlantic Salmon Interpretative Centre now has its own website. The Centre, located just outside St. Andrews in Chamcooke, NB is operated by the Atlantic Salmon Federation, which also has its headquarters nearby. The Centre features displays on the natural history, science and fascinating cultural importance of the wild Atlantic salmon. It also offers guided stream walks, in-stream salmon viewing room and regular workshops and events pertaining to Atlantic salmon.
11. New Atlas of Salmon Rivers of North America Online The Atlantic Salmon Federation has just completed an online Atlas of Atlantic salmon rivers in eastern North America, including the Bay of Fundy. The atlas categorizes the salmon rivers as historic, extirpated, restored, present and endangered. It notes in particular that: "In general all rivers connected to the Bay of Fundy have critically low populations of salmon, particularly the Inner Bay of Fundy rivers".
12. Wanted - Shark Sightings in the Bay of Fundy! The Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station is interested in hearing about any shark sightings in the Bay of Fundy. A note from Laurie Murison, the Executive Director of the station stated that the "station is developing a shark sightings database and a basking shark photo ID catalogue with help from funding from the Government of Canada Habitat Stewardship Program. We are urging the public to help with our research by contributing any shark sightings and photographs to our catalogue and database." Email information about shark sightings to: sharksightings@gmwsrs.info. Laurie also notes that "At least six species of sharks inhabit the Bay of Fundy, but very little is known about their distribution, movements or occurrence in the Bay and even less so about the threats they face." You can also learn more about sharks in the Bay of Fundy by visiting the station's shark blog where you can also receive periodic e-mail updates about sharks. You can contact the Station via more traditional methods at: Executive Director Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station 24 Route 776 Grand Manan, NB Canada E5G 1A1 506 662 3804, Fax 506 662 9804
13. Chignecto Protected Area Featured The latest issue of WildEast, (PDF format 4.7 MB) the conservation magazine of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society CPAWS features a number of articles with a decidedly Fundy Focus:
14. Climate Change planning in NB A Conference "Preparing for Climate 2100 - Tools and Strategies for NB Communities" will be held on 14-16 November 2012 in Fredericton, NB. It will provide information about the tools and resources developed and implemented during the last 3 years of the New Brunswick Regional Adaptation Collaborative process, as well as hands-on workshops to provide guidance on how to use these tools.
15. Canada's State of the Oceans Report 2012 This newly released report from DFO presents a summary of the analysis of marine data on trends and changes in Canada's oceans. It uses information selected from regional reports on Canada's Large Ocean Management Areas. Themes include: ecosystem shifts, ocean climate, ocean acidification, aquatic invasive species, hypoxia, cold water corals and sponges, and sea ice variability.
16. Report Card on Water Health Efforts in Maritimes In July 2010, all Canadian Premiers signed on to a “National Water Charter”. This landmark Charter recognizes water as an essential, irreplaceable component of life. By signing the Charter, all 13 Canadian Premiers agreed to work in a timely way within their respective jurisdictions to prioritize the health of Canada’s water. Conservation groups in the region recently undertook to prepare a report card on how the three Maritimes Provinces are doing in implementing their commitments. The status for each province was assessed by the following organizations NB: Eastern Charlotte Waterways, Conservation Council of New Brunswick ACTION, PEI: PEI Watershed Alliance; NS: Ecology Action Centre. One of their conclusions is that "Maritime Provinces overall could be doing more to encourage companies to be leaders in the development of new technologies for water conservation and protection."
17. Gulf of Maine 2012 Visionary Awards Presented The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment presented its 2012 awards to outstanding visionaries, employees, volunteers and others at the annual meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The council presented 12 people with Visionary Awards at the June 6 meeting. Awards were given to individuals or organizations within each of the five Gulf of Maine jurisdictions of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The awards recognize innovation, creativity, and commitment to marine protection by businesses, environmental organizations, or individuals who have made a difference in the health of the Gulf of Maine. Congratulations to the following Maritime winners:
18. RARGOM Annual Science Meeting The Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) will hold its 2012 Annual Science Meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on October 9th, 2012. Gulf of Maine physical and biological oceanographers will be discussing whether the Gulf of Maine will yield more or less seafood in the future.
The Rockweed Coalition, based in the Cobscook Bay Maine area is "a coalition of citizens working to promote conservation of intertidal marine habitat, and to end commercial cutting and removal of rockweed (the intertidal seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum) until studies can demonstrate that cutting rockweed does not harm the ecosystem."
20. NS Releases Strategy on Marine Renewable Energy The Nova Scotia Marine Renewable Energy Strategy has been released. The strategy focuses on three main areas: research; development; and regulatory planning. It addresses recommendations by Dalhousie University oceanographer Bob Fournier, whose September 2011 report recommended developing a provincial marine renewable strategy and legislation.
21. Report on Possible Conservation Areas in the Bay of Fundy AA report entitled "A Study to Identify Preliminary Representative Marine Areas: Bay of Fundy Marine Region", completed by AECOM Canada Ltd. in March 2011 for Parks Canada, has recently been released. As a first step in designating a National Marine Conservation Area NMCA for the Bay of Fundy Marine Region, Parks Canada has commissioned this regional analysis to identify Preliminary Representative Marine Areas (PRMAs), defined as ―areas which provide outstanding representation of the region‘s physical, biological and cultural features.‖ At the most basic level, the PRMAs must meet the criteria of representitivity and naturalness. This report provides a comprehensive review of both the natural and cultural features of the Bay of Fundy Marine Region, documents the key distinguishing characteristics of the region and the existing and potential human uses, and makes recommendations concerning the locations and sizes of PRMAs. The areas selected as Preliminary Representative Marine Regions, in order of ranking are:
The marine inventory also identified a number of other sites within the marine region that have been recognized as exceptional (mainly due to unusual biological processes) that are either not included, or are only partly included in the candidate PRMA sites. These include the Margaretsville Dunefield in the Inner Bay of Fundy, Upper Chignecto and Cumberland Basin, the Southern Bight of Minas Basin, the Horse Mussel Reef Field in the Outer Bay of Fundy, the Grand Manan Basin Right Whale Critical Habitat, the Shelburne/Cape Sable Retention Area, and Cape Blomidon extending into Minas Passage. The report includes a large amount of detailed physical and biological data about each of these regions, including many maps, graphs and figures. Unfortunately, this report is not presently available on the Parks Canada Website. A limited number of digital copies of the report on CD may be available by contacting Francine Mercier of Parks Canada. There is also general information available about Canada's National Marine Conservation Areas System Plan.
Right Whale News is a publication of Associated Scientists at Woods Hole. It is disseminated online through the courtesy of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. The current edition (June 2012), features articles on right whale births, and right whale entanglements. Back issues published between 1994 and 2012 are also available. To submit ideas, article topics, and comments, contact Editor Jim Hain at jhain@earthlink.net and place "RWN Editorial"‖ in the subject line. To subscribe, contact Heather Pettis at hpettis@neaq.org and place "RWN Subscribe" in the subject line.
23. Conference on Rising Sea Level in BoF The Fundy Geological Museum and the Parrsboro Shore Historical Society are collaborating in a one day conference "Rising Sea Level: The Impact on Coastal Communities along the Bay of Fundy " on Friday 19th of October 2012 at the Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro, N.S. The motivation for holding a Sea Level conference grew out of the flooding concerns of Ken Adams, Director/Curator of the Fundy Geological Museum. The Fundy Geological Museum appears to be on a tidal flood plain and with sea levels rising it is now possible that future tides will exceed the height of the dyke that now protects the museum. Ken's worries lead to informal email discussions with several scientists. The topics involved such items as the 18.7 year tidal cycle, storm surges, coastal shoreline erosion and the accuracy of present day high tide predictions for the Upper Bay of Fundy. From this interchange of ideas and information an interest in a Sea Level workshop/conference, to be held at the Fundy Geological Museum, developed. Information and registration .
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Fundy/GOM and
Other News:
A report in the June issue of the Gulf of Maine Times suggests that the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale population may be slowly recovering after the shipping lanes were moved in the Bay of Fundy a decade ago. Dr. Moira Brown, a senior scientist at the New England Aquarium in Boston, said that since then the right whale population has grown by an average of two per cent annually, from about 350 whales to more than 450. Complete article.
2. Leatherback Turtle in Shubenacadie River In mid August an endangered leatherback sea turtle was found stranded on the mud of the Shubenacadie River some 20 Km upstream from Cobequid Bay. A representatives of the Canadian Sea Turtle Network in Halifax reported that local volunteers worked to keep the turtle wetted down. Eventually it managed to swim away on the returning tide. However, photos of the animal showed it to be unusually thin and probably not in very good condition. Unfortunately, two days later it was found dead. Officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans removed the 272 Kg animal using winches and ropes and shipped it to the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, PEI for an autopsy. There, veterinarians concluded that it probably starved to death. Relevant articles with pictures: Reptile spotted in Shubecadie River Sea turtle likely starved to death
3. Video of Ocean Sunfish in Fundy A New Brunswick pelagic tour boat company (Quoddy Link Marine) has posted on Youtube some wonderful underwater video (2:45 mins) of an ocean sunfish, or Mola mola swimming in the Bay of Fundy.
4. Orca Thrills Fundy Whale Watchers Whale watchers off Digby Neck/Brier Island were excited to see and photograph a 25-30 foot long killer whale Orcinus orca cavorting near their boat on September 18th, 2012. CBC radio interview (6.05 mins) with Tania Taylor about encounter.
5. Marine Monitoring Platform for Bay of Fundy Funding to the tune of $10 million has been secured from various partners for the development of a state of the art underwater monitoring platform that will be placed in the upper Bay of Fundy. It is anticipated that the platform will be deployed and operational within the next two years. It will collect detailed information on a wide range of parameters such as water turbulence and currents as well as information about marine life in the area and its behaviour. More details.
6. NS Farmland to Grow Biomass Energy An Ontario Company is leasing large areas of unused farmland (dykeland?) in Nova Scotia to grow elephant grass Miscanthus giganteus. The harvested dried grass will be used to fuel a 10 MW biomass power plant being developed by Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. More...
7. Paper on Rockweed Harvesting in GOM There is a new paper entitled "Sustainable seaweed cutting? The rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) industry of Maine and the Maritime Provinces" by Robin Hadlock Seeley and William H. Schlesinger. The paper concludes that "Until sustainable levels of cutting and appropriate regulations are identified, commercial-scale rockweed cutting presents a risk to coastal ecosystems and the human communities that depend on those ecosystems." Abstract.
8. Theme Paper on Eutrophication in GOM The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment recently released a 29 page theme paper entitled " Eutrophication: State of the Gulf of Maine Report" (PDF format). This theme paper describes how population increases and development have altered the hydrological and biogeochemical cycles in our watersheds, resulting in more potential export of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus to the Gulf of Maine’s estuaries and coastal waters.
9. Pioneer Fundy Fossil Hunter to Retire Eldon George, pioneer fossil hunter and founder (60 years ago) of the Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop and Museum, is seeking to sell his business and retire. His many fossil discoveries have drawn worldwide attention and have been featured in the National Geographic magazine four times. More...
10. Aquaculture Documentary Slams Industry A new controversial documentary entitled “Salmon Wars: Wild Fish, Aquaculture and the Future of Communities” is being shown all across Nova Scotia, much to the consternation of the provincial government and the aquaculture industry association. The film is a wide-ranging exploration of net cage salmon aquaculture and its social, economic and environmental impact on the communities where it operates. This eye-opening 70-minute video documentary surveys industry representatives, community activists, scientists, environmentalists and politicians, including Nova Scotia's Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment. Watch for it at a venue near you or download a free copy. The documentary project was spearheaded by author and activist Silver Donald Cameron and his Green Interview site.
11. NS Forks Over $25 million to Cooke Aquaculture New Brunswick based Cooke Aquaculture has received $25 million from the Nova Scotia government to expand its operations in NS, including at Digby on the Bay of Fundy. There is growing public opposition to Cooke's expansion in NS and to the provincial government's continuing unquestioning support of a controversial industry. Ray Plourde of the Halifax based Ecology Action Centre (EAC) says that "Giving taxpayers’ money to Cooke Aquaculture is obscene". He continues "This company makes many millions of dollars a year. ... They should be paying us millions for the privilege of polluting our coastal waters.” The EAC favours sustainable aquaculture that includes closed containment systems, but is vigorously opposed to the open pen method used by Cooke. Expansion makes sense Cooke Aquaculture says NS invests $256 million in fish farm
12. The Case for Closed Containment Aquaculture A blog in the Huffington post by Sue Scott of the Atlantic Salmon Federation entitled "Healthy Environment and Farmed Salmon Too" makes the case for land-based closed containment aquaculture. She concludes that "transitioning to closed containment might mean that the aquaculture industry will not get its more than 50 per cent profit, but then taxpayers will not have to foot bills for disease compensation and lose the economic and social benefits from industries such as tourism, lobster fishing and the recreational fishery that rely on a healthy environment." The results of an online poll "what do you think of aquaculture"? conducted by the Halifax Chronicle Herald in mid August showed decisive public support for closed containment fish farming and major opposition to the current open-pen system.
13. Grand Pré recognized as UN World Heritage Site Grand Pré was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 36th Session UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee on 2 July 2012. The site is situated in the southern Minas Basin of Nova Scotia and marked by one of the most extreme tidal ranges in the world, the Grand Pré marshland and archaeological sites constitute a cultural landscape bearing testimony to the development of agricultural farmland using dykes and the aboiteau wooden sluice system, started by the Acadians in the 17th century and further developed and maintained by the Planters and present day inhabitants. The site is also inscribed as a memorial to Acadian way of life and deportation in 1755.
14. Government Continues Assault on Habitat Protection A June report in the Chronicle Herald notes that the federal conservative government is slashing the number of habitat offices across Canada from 63 to 15. This is a result of the savage gutting of the Fisheries Act in the 2012 budget and seriously undermines habitat protection across Canada. Gary Corbett, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada notes that the move will "makes it easier for corporations to fast track programs. The environmental regulations are secondary now”. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair accused the government of silencing scientists and trying to “kill off any (government) agency that tells them what they don’t want to hear.”
15. Opposition to Government Attacks on Science In mid July a mock funeral was staged on Parliament Hill to mourn the "death of evidence and the muzzling of scientists" by the Harper government. Hundreds of scientists and their supporters wore white lab coats and carried a wooden coffin representing "the body of evidence". CBC report.
16. Sea Level Rising Faster on East Coast A new study reported in New Scientist suggests that sea level along the Us east coast is accelerating as much as four times faster than the worldwide average. It notes that "The "hotspot" of rising sea levels extends over 1000 kilometres from Cape Hatteras in North Carolina to Boston, Massachusetts, and possibly further north into Canada." Scientists with the United States Geological Survey in St Petersburg, Florida, used tide gauge data from 1950 to 2009 to arrive at their conclusions.
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For more news items about BoFEP, its partners and the Bay of Fundy periodically check the BoFEP "What's New" page at: http://www.bofep.org/whatnew.htm.
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