3rd Bay of Fundy Science Workshop
Understanding Change in the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem
BoFEP General
Meeting
Introduction
The meeting began at 9:00 am with Graham Daborn as Chair. The agenda was approved with the addition of an item on budget under Other Business.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting of BoFEP participants held in Digby, NS. on October 8, 1998 were approved as written. There was no business arising from the minutes.
Background Report
Graham Daborn gave a presentation on the development of BoFEP, noting activities and recommendations arising from recent relevant workshops and projects, in particular, ones on tidal barriers, the Minas Basin, storm surges and the 3rd Bay of Fundy Science Workshop just ended.
BoFEP Working Groups
During the 3rd Bay of Fundy Science Workshop it was recommended that several Working Groups be established to pursue specific issues of interest to members. The following were identified, along with contact/leaders:
• Eutrophication & Nutrition (Thierry Chopin)
• Saltmarsh Dynamics & Restoration (Jeff Ollerhead)
• Fish Migration Studies (Rod Bradford)
• Marine Protected Areas (Maria-Ines Buzeta)
• Ecotourism (Tom Young)
• Defining Stress & Cumulative Effects (Mick Burt)
• Barriers & Tidal Restrictions (Peter Wells)
• Sedimentation (Dave Mossman)
• Resource Development (Peter Fenety)
• Communication and Web Site Development (Jon Percy)
• Toxics (Peter Wells)
• Corophium (Peter Wells)
It was also suggested that BoFEP should incorporate a social science perspective in its activities, not just natural science.
BoFEP Officers and Structure
The existing structure consisted of a Steering Committee of all present at our previous meeting, with a chair and secretariat. Jon Percy will update the contact persons information on the web site and distinguish our site from DFO's Fundy Forum. The Steering Committee will remain in place, but considerable discussion on the pros and cons of greater structure for financial and promotionary reasons resulted in a consensus for the establishment of a BoFEP Management Committee consisting of the following positions and officers:
• Chair (Graham Daborn)
• Secretary (Barry Jones)
• Treasurer (vacant)
• Webmaster (Jon Percy)
• "At-Large" (Larry Hildebrand)
There was also considerable discussion on what constituted "the membership" and recognition of the need to develop a list of organizations that are represented on BoFEP, the latter to be called affiliates rather than members or partners. Action: Mick Burt agreed to develop a definition of the "consortium" concept for our next meeting.
It was agreed that the permanent home of BoFEP would reside with Acadia University (ACER) for the forseeable future. However, for representation on either side of the Bay, it was suggested that Huntsman might provide the same role on the New Brunswick side. It was also suggested that BoFEP should seek a permanent seat on the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment Working Group, and that our Chair should make a presentation on BoFEP to the next GOMC Working Group meeting in June, 1999, in Yarmouth, NS. Action: Barry Jones agreed to look into such arrangements.
Funding Options
Two models were considered for possible funding for BoFEP projects: (a) BoFEP receives and administers research funding or (b) partners receive and administer funding, with BoFEP simply facilitating and coordinating partnerships. In the latter option we would need to develop a mechanism for BoFEP to receive some funding to carry out its routine activities. Two possible sources were identified, namely, NSERC Research Network funding and a grant from the Canadian University Research Alliance. These should be looked into. Action: Peter Wells agreed to look into possible funding for the web site, proceedings, fact sheets, etc.
Next Meetings
The next meeting of the BoFEP membership will be held in the fall near the end of October, 1999, to be called by the Management Committee. The principal agenda items will include a review/ confirmation of the structure question, a clarification of the mission statement and consideration of a budget. It was also noted that the 4th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop will be held at and during the CZC2000 Conference in September, 2000, in Saint John, NB., along with our Annual General Meeting for that year.
Adjournment
No other business was discussed. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 am.
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ktramsey@hotmail.comlast modified: September 16, 1999