Minister Shea Announces Funding for Science Facilities, Marine Protection and Salmon Research on the Pacific Coast

WEST VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 22, 2015) - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, joined by Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows - Maple Ridge - Mission and Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Oceans and John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Sea-to-Sky Country, today announced investments from the Government totaling over $57 million in science facilities, marine protection and Pacific Salmon research. Also in attendance were Dr. John Nightingale, President and CEO of the Vancouver Aquarium and Dr. Brian Riddell, President and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

Together, the Center for Aquaculture & Environmental Research in West Vancouver, the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney and the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo will receive up to $18 million for various upgrades and repairs, including improvements to the existing wharves and related infrastructure.

Minister Shea also highlighted the Government's commitment to work with partners such as the Vancouver Aquarium and the Pacific Salmon Foundation on a more collaborative use of the West Vancouver Lab.

Canada currently has eight MPAs under the Oceans Act and the designation of an additional eight areas is in various stages of completion. Economic Action Plan 2014 provided $37 million over five years to for marine and coastal conservation under the National Conservation Plan. This funding will help establishing regulations for four new Marine Protected Areas, identifying three new candidate areas for analysis and stakeholder consultations, and developing and implementing management frameworks for Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Economic Action Plan 2015 provides $2 million to the Pacific Salmon Foundation in support of the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project; employing the most up-to-date research techniques to investigate the factors affecting the survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Salish Sea off the south coast of British Columbia.

Quick Facts

--  The Center for Aquaculture & Environmental Research (CAER) in West
    Vancouver is an internationally recognized research facility dedicated
    to aquaculture and coastal research. CAER receives an infrastructure
    investment of up to $2.2 million. 
--  The Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, one of Canada's largest
    marine research institutes, receives an infrastructure investment of up
    to $13 million.  
--  The Pacific Biological Station (PBS) in Nanaimo is the oldest fisheries
    research center on the Pacific coast and the principal centre for
    fisheries research on the West Coast. PBS receives an infrastructure
    investment of up to $2.9 million. 

Quotes

"I am pleased to announce that under our Government's National Conservation Plan, we are working to establish four new marine protected areas, identify three additional areas as candidates for protection and develop the management frameworks for existing marine protected areas. Marine protected areas contribute to the improved health, integrity and productivity of our marine ecosystems."

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

"Our Government is proud to invest in our internationally-renowned science facilities here in British Columbia. Without a question, science supports sound fisheries management and forms the foundation of an economically prosperous maritime sector."

Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows - Maple Ridge - Mission and Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Oceans

"This is a proud moment for me, my staff and the many constituents that rolled up their sleeves and worked with us to see our Government make a high-impact investment in British Columbia's fisheries, water and salmon."

John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Sea-to-Sky Country

"Our team at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and its Coastal Ocean Research Institute looks forward to even more collaboration with scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other scientists leading research at the marine research facility located in West Vancouver. Over the span of nearly six decades, the Aquarium has worked closely with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other research-focused organizations to lead ground-breaking science. Investment in the marine research facility will further facilitate greater scientific collaboration which we greatly support."

Dr. John Nightingale, President and CEO of the Vancouver Aquarium

"I am delighted to see the federal government making a significant investment in infrastructure improvements at Fisheries and Oceans Canada's West Vancouver research laboratory and I welcome the opportunity for collaborative scientific partnerships. This facility is ideally situated in a prime location on the Strait of Georgia, coupled with ready access to freshwater that allows for a range of important fisheries research activities to take place. Since the 1800's, this site has had a history in B.C. fisheries, so it is great to see the heritage continue."

Dr. Brian Riddell, President and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation

Related Products - Backgrounder

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS FOR DFO SCIENCE FACILITIES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, AND GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVES ON THE PACIFIC COAST

Associated Links

--  National Conservation Plan: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/npoa-pan/npoa-
    pan/sharks-requins-eng.htm 
--  Canada's Marine Protected Areas: http://www.dfo-
    mpo.gc.ca/oceans/marineareas-zonesmarines/mpa-zpm/index-eng.htm 
--  Federal Infrastructure: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/11/24/federal-
    infrastructure

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Backgrounder

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS FOR DFO SCIENCE FACILITIES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, AND GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVES ON THE PACIFIC COAST

The Center for Aquaculture & Environmental Research (CAER) in West Vancouver is an internationally recognized research facility dedicated to aquaculture and coastal research. Over the years, the facility has created collaborative opportunities for B.C.'s two largest universities. Faculty and students from the University of British Columbia (UBC), plus staff from the Vancouver Aquarium, often work side-by-side on research projects with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) scientists at CAER. The six-hectare site provides a unique opportunity for experimental research on fish rearing and indoor-outdoor aquaria and ecosystem and conservation studies in support of DFO's role as the Federal regulator for B.C.'s aquaculture industry. The infrastructure investment of up to $2.2 million at CAER is for upgrades to the building including refurbishment of the elevator, electrical, and fire suppression systems and for health and safety upgrades, as well as for refurbishment of the wharf and related infrastructure.

The Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) in Sidney on Vancouver Island is one of Canada's largest marine research institutes. Ocean science conducted there by 250 scientists and researchers focusses on the coastal waters of B.C., the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, the western Canadian Arctic, and the navigable fresh waters east to the Alberta border. Research studies range from the effects of global warming on marine ecosystems, to tracking 'red tide' in shellfish, and even predictions on where and when a tsunami will strike. IOS is also home to numerous scientific collaborators. DFO's Canadian Hydrographic Service at IOS produces more than 20 per cent of Canada's nautical charts. Natural Resources Canada, Pacific Geoscience Center, is a partner in the building and is the main centre in western Canada for monitoring and understanding earthquakes/ tsunamis and other marine geo-hazards. The infrastructure investment of up to $13 million improves fire safety capacity, accessibility, and upgrades the building envelope to help renew and enhance the science facilities at IOS that support ongoing Departmental research in the Strait of Georgia and beyond. Replacement of key portions of the IOS building boiler system will reduce operating costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption. New systems will make the facility more environmentally sustainable and extend the life cycle of the facility. Upgrades to the wharf and related infrastructure will also take place.

The Pacific Biological Station (PBS) is the oldest fisheries research centre on the Pacific coast and the principal centre for fisheries research on the West Coast. Located in Nanaimo, British Columbia, PBS was established in 1908, and designated as a site of national historic significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada in November 2014. The Station is home to scientists, technicians, and support staff studying the coastal waters of British Columbia, the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Research at PBS involves stock assessment, aquaculture, marine habitat, ocean science, and fish productivity. The infrastructure investment of up to $2.9 million for PBS is for wharf improvements, building envelope refurbishment, fire safety and accessibility improvements, and building infrastructure and health and safety upgrades.

The National Conservation Plan

In the 2014 federal budget, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada received $37 million in funding over five years for marine and coastal conservation under the National Conservation Plan. The plan further increases protected areas by focusing on stronger marine and coastal conservation. Canada currently has eight Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the Oceans Act, and the designations of an additional eight areas are in various stages of completion.

The Salish Sea Marine Survival Project

Budget 2015 committed $2 million in 2015-16 to the Pacific Salmon Foundation to investigate the factors affecting the survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Salish Sea. The research into the Salish Sea's marine environment - including algae, hatcheries, salmon migration and marine mammal impacts on salmon - will employ the most up-to-date research techniques and will draw on the expertise of academics and volunteers committed to this project. The Pacific Salmon Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1987 to conserve and restore wild Pacific salmon stocks and their habitat.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474


Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537