January 24, 2011 11:41:41

Posted By Trish Hall

For this and additional information, see the full 2011 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference website, formerly the Puget Sound Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conference.

More information will be available over the coming weeks:

• Call for Sessions – read on to find out how to submit your ideas for 2011’s conference.
• Registration Page – secure your Super Saver Rate by registering today.
• Sponsorship Information – this program counts on the generous support of many, please see our sponsorship page for further details.

About the Conference

The Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference is the largest, most comprehensive scientific research and policy conference in the region. The 2011 conference, co-hosted by Environment Canada and the Puget Sound Partnership, presents the latest scientific research on the state of the ecosystem. The conference also shares information on recent management actions and best practices to protect and restore the Salish Sea Ecosystem. Through these dialogues, the conference emphasizes the importance of collaboration among scientists and policymakers to solve complex environmental issues that cross political borders.

Join us in furthering our collective understanding of the unique and precious ecosystem that is the Salish Sea. Together, we will explore the state of the science, build our management capability, and reinforce our strong foundation of research of policy. The exciting, dynamic program creates opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions, cultural celebrations, knowledge transfer, and practical collaborations. Enjoy workshops, special sessions, field trips, keynote speakers, and other engaging events throughout the conference.

This conference, formerly called the Georgia-Basin/Puget Sound research conference was first co-hosted in 2003, and alternates between British Columbia and Washington State. This year, the conference has been re-named the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, which reflects the recent decisions by both the US and Canada to re-name the area and acknowledges the connectivity of the ecosystem and the traditions of the region’s Salish peoples.

The conference features a broad range of topics, shedding light on the overall state of the Salish Sea ecosystem and informing management activities in the region. Topics typically include:

• Marine, nearshore, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems
• Air and water quality as it affects ecosystem health
• Aquatic and terrestrial species and food webs
• Land use, protection, and restoration especially as they relate to growth and development
• Human health and well being
• Climate Change, including its effects on ecosystem processes and human health
• Development and application of decision support frameworks, models and systems to aid ecosystem management.

Conference Location and Dates
The conference will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia over three days, October 25 to 27, 2011 with the possibility of pre-conference workshops.

January 24, 2011 11:41:41

Posted By Trish Hall

A new video entitled Small Hydro Power provides a satirical overview of the environmental impacts associated with run-of-river or river diversion hydropower. The video was developed by the Hydropower Reform Coalition.

 

January 20, 2011 10:41:21

Posted By Trish Hall

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has developed a draft Strategic Framework for Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting in the Pacific Fisheries and would like your feedback. Monitoring and reporting programs currently vary considerably both within and between harvest sectors and specific fisheries. The framework is an approach to strengthen monitoring in all Pacific fisheries. Key components of the framework include the development of standardized criteria to determine the required level of monitoring and to assess which monitoring tools to use in each fishery.

At this stage, it is important for the public to learn more about the framework and to provide input. Your feedback will help to further finalize the draft framework document.

If you would like to submit feedback, it may be helpful to review the following before doing so:

• Strategic Framework for Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting in the Pacific Fisheries [PDF]
• Summary of the Strategic Framework for Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting in the Pacific Fisheries [PDF]
• Strategic Framework for Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting in the Pacific Fisheries Consultation Document [PDF]

How to Submit Feedback

The deadline for submitting comments on the draft Strategic Framework for Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting in the Pacific Fisheries is May 6, 2011.

If you are prepared to submit comments, please use the online comment form.

DFO Contact

Michelle Li
Catch Monitoring Program Officer
Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
401 Burrard Street
Vancouver BC, V6C 3S4

Tel: 604-666-4596
Fax: 604-658-2844

January 13, 2011 10:41:52

Posted By Trish Hall

A new Water Blog hosted by the Vancouver Observer and written by Randy Christensen is now available.  The blog aims to keep people “updated on the good, the bad and the ugly of water debates. Who is winning and who is losing?”  The first installment examines what is at stake with this precious resource.

January 7, 2011 10:32:15

Posted By Trish Hall

Raincoast Conservation Foundation’s Chris Genovali and Misty MacDuffee discuss the need for greater consideration of terrestrial wildlife in salmon management in the Huffington Post articleSalmon Management Should Include Bears, Whales and other Wildlife.  The article discusses a recent paper in Conservation Letters, titled Salmon for Terrestrial Protected Areas.  The paper highlights the many benefits of allowing greater numbers of fish to return to spawning areas.

January 4, 2011 03:34:53

Posted By Trish Hall

The Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia (ORC) is asking for nominations toward its2011 BC Endangered Rivers List.

Your nominations will help in the selection of the “Top Ten” rivers in BC that face urgent threats to their ecological health.

Please send your candidate river(s) to ORC before March 18, 2011. The final list will be distributed to major media outlets later in the spring, helping raise awareness of BC River issues.

Please send your nominations to:

Mark Angelo, ORC Rivers Chair:

and

Jeremy McCall, ORC Executive Director:

To view Endangered Rivers Lists from previous years, visit:

http://www.orcbc.ca/pro_endangered.htm