Contact:

Laurie Wood, Continuing Studies in Science and Environment, 778.782.5466, lauriew@sfu.ca

Randall Peterman, Resource and Environmental Management, 778.782.4683, randall_peterman@sfu.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Erika Kujawski, The Royal Society of Canada, 613.991.6990 ext. 105, ekujawski@rsc-src.ca


‘How does Canada perform with respect to our national and international commitments to protect marine biodiversity?’ That was one of five critical questions posed to a panel of experts by the Royal Society of Canada.

Commissioned in November of 2009, the panel will release their findings at a press conference on Thursday, February 2, at Simon Fraser University’s Vancouver campus at 10 a.m.

The panel was comprised of eminent scholars from across Canada, including Isabelle Côté, a professor with SFU’s Biological Sciences, and Randall Peterman, a professor with SFU’s School of Resource and Environmental Management.

The panel reflected on such matters as the consequences of climate change, fishing, and aquaculture, relative to the ability of Canada’s oceans to sustain marine populations and species at levels that would restore the natural resilience of ocean ecosystems, and elaborates on five main questions:

• What are the past, current and projected trends in Canadian marine biodiversity?
• How does Canada perform with respect to its national and international commitments to protect marine biodiversity?
• How does Canada’s performance in fisheries management compare with the practices of other modernized nations?
• How has the performance of the Department of Oceans and Fisheries compared with its pledges and policies?
• What specific actions could the Government of Canada contemplate in order to improve the management of Canada’s fisheries and the restoration and protection of Canada’s marine biodiversity?

The findings will also be shared at a public presentation at the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, on the evening of February 2, at 6:30 p.m.

Please note Isabelle Côté is currently on sabbatical in Australia. Hard copies of the Expert Panel Executive Summary will be available onsite as of 9:30 a.m.

What: Release of The Royal Society of Canada's 'Sustaining Canadian Marine Biodiversity' report

When: Thursday, February 2, 10 a.m.
Where: Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, room 420, 580 West Hastings, SFU Vancouver (enter from Seymour courtyard)

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