Marine Affairs Program, Graduate Projects

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/13001

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Access status: Open Access ,
Currents of Change: Hydroelectric Development and Its Effects on Miawpukek First Nation’s Lands, Waters, and Ways of Life
(2025-12) Johnson Martin, Kaleigh
This research examines the ecological and cultural consequences that hydroelectric development in the Bay D’Espoir (the Bay), Newfoundland, has on Miawpukek First Nation (MFN). By exploring ecological disruptions to water and land alongside the impacts on MFN’s cultural practices, values and governance, this study seeks to understand the extent to which Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro’s (NL Hydro) hydroelectric project reflects a systemic failure to consult with Indigenous communities and highlights the urgent need for proper Indigenous recognition, the implementation of co-governance systems, and for environmental accountability; all of which contribute to true reconciliation. Using a mixed methods approach that includes a literature review and semi-structured interviews, this research highlights how the absence of recognized Aboriginal rights, Treaty rights, and Aboriginal title for MFN has limited opportunities for meaningful consultation and influence over development decisions. The findings reveal substantial ecological alterations to the Bay’s watershed since hydroelectric development – including reduced access to traditional lands and the decline of culturally significant species – which have collectively forced MFN to move away from several traditional practices. This study also identifies promising models for improvements by drawing on the successes of provincial and territorial implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), where Indigenous governance is increasingly woven into environmental management. Ultimately, this research calls upon the federal government to revisit its hesitancy in legally recognizing MFN through Aboriginal rights, Treaty rights, and Aboriginal title, and for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) to formally adopt UNDRIP into legislation, to update its Aboriginal Consultation Policy on Land and Resource Development Decisions, and implement frameworks of co-development, co-governance, and co-management that uphold Indigenous authority, knowledge, and stewardship. Through these measures, the province can foster more equitable, accountable, and sustainable decisions as it relates to development in Indigenous territory moving forward.
Access status: Open Access ,
Coexisting at Sea: Offshore Wind Governance and Right Whale Protection in a Changing Atlantic Canada
(2025-12) Dharmaraj, Nina
Atlantic Canada is advancing offshore wind as part of national decarbonisation and energy security goals, yet this development overlaps with the shifting distribution of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW). Climate-driven changes in prey have redirected NARW use towards the Canadian shelf and Gulf of St Lawrence habitats, increasing exposure to vessel traffic, entanglement risks, and construction-related noise and operational activities. Drawing on peer-reviewed studies, including multi-year passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) in U.S. wind energy areas and climate ecology evidence of right whale redistribution, this project examines the governance conflict that emerges when rapid renewable energy deployment meets species-at-risk conservation. It frames the problem as a “wicked problem”: a governance concept where objectives are multiple and competing (for example, climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, fisheries livelihoods, regional development), data is dynamic and evolving, and solutions may create new cross-jurisdictional trade-offs. The pros and cons are weighed: offshore wind’s climate and economic benefits versus ecological risks and enforcement challenges created by data gaps and multi-national inconsistencies. Using lessons from established global offshore wind-cetacean strategies, alongside Canada’s regional assessment processes, this project proposes a governance pathway that enables coexistence: adaptive, data-linked siting and operations, stakeholder co-design, and international coordination that is tuned into real-time right whale presence. The goal is pragmatic: protect a species on the brink of extinction without sacrificing renewable energy momentum.
Access status: Open Access ,
Particularly Protected: Implementing mandatory management measures to reduce ship impacts in sensitive waters in the Exclusive Economic Zone
(2025-12) Foster, Sadie
Canada's extensive coastline and its rich marine ecosystems face growing threats from intensifying maritime activities. This paper argues that existing jurisdictional frameworks, particularly those beyond internal waters, are insufficient to protect vulnerable marine areas from ship-source pollution and other pressures. Drawing on principles of Area-Based Management (ABM), this analysis evaluates the potential of Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) designation by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a strategic tool to enhance marine conservation. By examining Canada’s current challenges in managing maritime activities, this paper demonstrates how a PSSA designation, complemented by Associated Protective Measures (APMs), offers an internationally recognized mechanism to strengthen marine management. The analysis integrates an ABM lens to illustrate the importance of a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to marine governance, emphasizing long-term vision, and cumulative effects assessment. Ultimately, this paper hypothesizes that the designation of a PSSA on the east coast of Canada can strengthen marine management, thereby furthering Canada's ability to protect sensitive waters and fulfill its national and international conservation commitments.
Access status: Open Access ,
Examining the Influence of Foreign Policies and Strategies on Ocean Governance in Ghana
(2025-12) Cudjoe, Mike
The study analyses how Ghana’s domestic fishery management has been influenced by foreign policies. Using the examples of the EU’s IUU Regulation and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the study traces the evolution of Ghana’s fisheries policies over the past 25 years in response to these policies. Key events identified during this period include: (1) the EU’s decision to issue Ghana its first yellow card under the EU IUU Regulation in November 2013 for what it perceived as Ghana’s failure to implement international laws and cooperate with the region’s fisheries management body, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; (2) an agreement between the Ghanaian government and the Chinese state-owned Sinohydro Corporation for USD 4 billion in investment to fund various infrastructure projects, including ocean-related facilities; and (3) the EU’s decision to reissue a yellow card in 2021 due to what it identified as weak enforcement of Ghana’s fisheries regulations. In response to these key events, Ghana reformed its Fisheries Act, strengthened collaboration with local NGOs and inter-institutional partners, and renewed its commitment to socioeconomic and environmental concerns. Despite these progressive initiatives, Ghana is caught between the governance-driven EU IUU framework and the investment-driven Chinese BRI, placing the country in a complex trade-off situation. This leaves Ghana with little choice, other than to comply with the strict stipulations of the European Union in the exportation of fish despite the Chinese bank support in terms of funds to put up the ports and fishing equipment. Therefore, there is a dilemma of adhering or staying at the behest of the country. The study concludes that balancing external pressures while protecting Ghana’s ecosystems and the economic livelihoods they support is essential to safeguarding the country’s fishery resources.
Access status: Open Access ,
Reconnecting People, Place, and Nature: Analyzing the Impact of Cross-Cultural Experiential Learning Expeditions for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Youth
(2025-12) Touchie, Emma
In a world marked by ecological disconnection and cultural fragmentation, youth are increasingly distanced from the ocean and the more-than-human world. Experiential and cross-cultural education thus offers a pathway to rebuild these relationships by fostering emotional, ecological, and cultural connections through direct engagement with land and sea. This research explores how cross-cultural experiential learning expeditions influence Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth’s relationships with nature, the ocean, and themselves. Using the Students on Ice Foundation’s marine expeditions aboard the R/V Polar Prince (Oqwatnukewey Eleke'wi'ji'jit in Mi’kmaq) as a case study, the research examines how immersive, intercultural experiences foster ocean literacy, environmental identity, and stewardship. A qualitative approach grounded in relational inquiry was used and data were collected through an online sharing circle with four alumni of Students on Ice Foundation marine expeditions. Thematic coding of transcripts was guided by both deductive and inductive reasoning to identify emergent patterns. Key themes included the life changing nature of expeditions, connection, meaningful experiences with the natural world, responsibility and stewardship, cultural revitalization, giving back to community, and reconciliation. Expeditions thus fostered transformative shifts in youth identity, relational accountability, and ecological awareness. This research contributes to marine management and environmental education by demonstrating how immersive, intercultural programs can reconnect young people with the ocean and foster more sustainable, relational approaches to stewardship.
Access status: Open Access ,
Integrating Community Perspectives into Reef Health Eco-Audits in Puerto Morelos, Mexico
(2025-12) Reyes Guevara, Anajose
Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, is a coastal port town with a community whose livelihoods are closely tied to the health of the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park (PMRNP) marine protected area. The local economy depends heavily on both tourism and fishing, making reef health central to community wellbeing. However, most existing literature and assessments of the reef’s condition focus primarily on biological monitoring and governmental consultation. In collaboration with Healthy Reefs for Healthy People (HRHP), an environmental non-governmental organization that focuses on conservation of the Mesoamerican reef. HRHP produces periodic reports on reef health and management measures; reef health monitoring results are found in their “Report Cards”, while evaluation of recommendations and implementation are in their “Eco-audits”. This project focuses on establish a baseline study to integrate community perceptions into the Eco-Audit framework, specifically. Through semi-structured interviews with fish harvesters and dive guides, I gathered perceptions on the key pressures affecting the reef, local management practices, and local fish abundance, among other topics. The intended outcome of this project is to establish a process that explores how community perspectives can be integrated into reef health monitoring practices, using HRHP’s Eco-Audit framework as the primary tool. By combining biological data with local knowledge, this research will ultimately provide a preliminary assessment of how the PMRNP and the surrounding MPA align with community priorities, values, and management goals.
Access status: Open Access ,
Centring Labrador Inuit Values in Arctic Char Management
(2025-12) Hobbs, Sarah
Arctic char (iKaluk / Salvelinus alpinus) is central to food sovereignty, livelihoods, and wellbeing across Inuit Nunangat. In Nunatsiavut, an Inuit self-governed territory in what is now Labrador, Canada, char is a cultural keystone species that supports both domestic and commercial fisheries. Despite this significance, consistent long-term federal monitoring and updated stock assessments have been absent, leading to what the federal government describes as a “knowledge gap” regarding sustainable and economically optimal harvest levels. However, this issue more accurately reflects a governance gap: data and knowledge about Arctic char are held locally and expressed through Inuit Knowledge Systems that do not align with federal management frameworks. This research seeks to identify the values underpinning the relationship between Nainimiut (individuals from the community of Nain, Nunatsiavut) and char to inform future monitoring and management in support of Inuit self-determination. Drawing on the Imappivut Knowledge Study, which identifies four guiding values: conservation, knowledge sharing, access, and well-being, this study employs these as a framework for analysis. Methods include a literature review examining how these values have been reflected in past monitoring efforts across Nunatsiavut, and interviews with community members in Nain. Findings indicate that these values have been inconsistently represented in the literature, while interview themes closely align with them. This demonstrates that the Imappivut framework is suitable for understanding Nainimiut relationships with char, and future research studies could seek to better represent these values in their approaches. Overall, this research highlights that understanding the values that underpin the fishery and ensuring their explicit consideration in research and management can support Inuit self-determination and align governance more closely with community priorities. Shifting management toward approaches grounded in the ecological, cultural and social relationships between char and Labrador Inuit offers a path toward more informed governance of these fisheries.
Access status: Open Access ,
Taking Care of Data: Advancing Research Sovereignty with the Nunatsiavut Government Research Centre
(2025-12) Khan, Suha
Self-determination is an Inuit right and can be acknowledged through just and equitable research procedures. With the increasing emphasis on collaborative marine research and management, individuals and institutions need to ensure that their long-term research processes align with community values. The Nunatsiavut Government Research Centre (NGRC) has identified a need for the implementation of culturally aligned protocols for data sharing, access, and storage to ensure long-term Inuit research sovereignty. This project explores how researchers undertaking the Imappivut marine spatial planning project’s Knowledge Study navigated the challenges and opportunities of advancing research sovereignty, and how their experiences can inform data governance frameworks that uphold Inuit rights and values. In doing so, it examines obstacles they faced and the strategies they developed to manage valuable data in ways that align with Inuit priorities. To address these questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with past and present researchers involved in the Imappivut Knowledge Study. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified security, access, sharing, and usage as central aspects of research sovereignty. These findings point to NGRC priorities, including culturally appropriate research practices and accountability to participants, while also highlighting broader considerations for the evolution of long-term projects. This work directly supports researchers employed by the Nunatsiavut Government, who are responsible for stewarding the Imappivut Knowledge Study. By developing methods rooted in Inuit laws, practices, and customs, this study aims not only to support Nunatsiavut’s governance of research data but also to offer lessons applicable to other Inuit communities pursuing marine research sovereignty.
Access status: Open Access ,
Financing the Development of the Blue Economy: Considerations for Blue Finance Engagement
(2025-12) Frost, Kate
The Blue Economy is the newest iteration of sustainable development. Originating from Small Island States, it serves as a model for ocean economic development grounded in themes of social equity and justice. To promote the development of a blue economy, non-traditional sources of private investments mixed with public investments are needed. These investment streams fall under Blue Finance; a relatively new term that incorporates the newly emerged financial mechanisms that are being used to develop the blue economy. Contrary to historical pathways of economic development, sustainable development models such as the green and blue economies have less straightforward trajectories. Applied to development in Small Island States, unique challenges emerge that traditional methods are ill equipped to solve, highlighting the need for new mechanisms. Novel financing instruments in blue finance are addressing these unique development needs, but they come with user risks that are not yet well defined, creating a need for a thorough analysis of these instruments. This project investigates literature on the potential user risks associated with emerging blue finance mechanism such as blue bonds and debt swaps and outlines a list of 15 questions for policy makers to ask if they are thinking about developing their blue economies using blue finance. These questions are not meant to provide a definitive method to approaching blue finance but should serve as a resource to help support informed decision making for the development of socially just, environmentally conscious, and economically prosperous ocean economies.
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring Environmental Impacts of the Offshore Wind Energy Site Assessment Process in the French Bank Wind Energy Area
(2025-12) Giles, Macy
Canada and Nova Scotia are both committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 with a focus on pursuing renewable energy sources. Offshore wind energy development in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area presents an opportunity to advance renewable energy in the region due to the abundance of space, high velocity winds, and consistent availability of high-quality winds reaching speeds greater than 9 m/s. In order to establish a thriving industry that balances development with environmental protection, developers are responsible for undertaking detailed site assessments to assess metocean, geologic, biologic, and archaeologic conditions within their proposed project area. This project aims to address the need for environmental protection during the site assessment process by exploring environmental conditions in the French Bank Wind Energy Area through targeted literature reviews and assessing what the possible impacts of various surveys may be on the environment by developing risk matrices. Across identified methods used to assess metocean, geologic, biologic, and archaeologic conditions, common impacts on the marine environment included greenhouse gas emissions, collisions between vessels and wildlife, physical damage to the environment, marine noise, introduction of invasive species, and marine contaminants. It was found that with appropriate mitigative measures, the likelihood and severity of all common impacts can be reduced. As the industry develops, it will be essential to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, prioritize the wellbeing of wildlife, develop comprehensive prevention and response plans, and leave room for improvement and advancement to ensure sustainable site assessments.
Access status: Open Access ,
Building a Risk Assessment Framework for Dermo Disease (Perkinsus marinus) in Nova Scotian Oyster Farms
(2025-12) Leefe, Lauren
In Nova Scotia, oyster farming is a valuable industry, supporting local revenue and coastal livelihoods. However, the current and future sustainability of the oyster farming sector is threatened by the recent detection of Perkinsus marinus, the parasite responsible for causing dermo disease in eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Dermo disease can negatively affect growth and reproduction leading to an increase in oyster mortality, with temperature and salinity as key environmental drivers of P. marinus proliferation. This research examines the potential risk dermo disease poses to Nova Scotia’s current oyster farming operations. A parasite proliferation model for P. marinus was developed based on Ragone Calvo et al. (2001) and forced with local temperature and salinity data. Numerical experiments were conducted using a full factorial design, altering initial parasite load (IPL), parasite transmission (PT), the temperature threshold for parasite growth (PG(T)), the high and low temperature threshold for parasite mortality (PM (HT)) and (PM(LT)), respectively. A sensitivity analysis identified the most influential parameters of the model to be the initial parasite load (IPL) and the temperature threshold for parasite growth (PG(T)). Simulation results were interpreted under best- and worst-case scenarios. Sites along the North Shore of Nova Scotia exhibited higher parasite loads and increased mortality compared with sites along the Eastern and South Shores. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the contribution of local conditions influencing P. marinus dynamics and the need for continued research to minimize the potential risk that dermo disease poses to oyster aquaculture in Atlantic Canada.
Access status: Open Access ,
Shifting Shorelines: Exploring Coastal Ownership in Nova Scotia with a Focus on the Characteristics of Access in Shelburne County
(2025-12) Fleming, Anthea
This study examines the distribution and the characteristics of public coastal access in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, using GIS analysis, policy review, and on-the-ground fieldwork. Although 18% of the county’s 936-kilometre coastline is publicly owned, much of it remains inaccessible due to its location on offshore islands, limited infrastructure, and unclear legal protections. Key access points—such as roads, beaches, and wharves—are increasingly constrained by privatization, aging infrastructure, and seasonal overcrowding. Climate change poses an increasing threat, as rising sea levels are expected to inundate beaches and certain coastal infrastructure, particularly on low-lying islands where substantial public coastal land is situated. The inland movement of coastlines due to sea level rise and changing of natural coastlines due to shoreline armouring may shift the high-water mark onto private property, raising complex legal questions about ownership and access. Fieldwork further revealed discrepancies between official data and ground conditions, including recent land sales that reduced access and new infrastructure that enhanced it. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on coastal access in Atlantic Canada by providing a detailed case study and a replicable quality assessment framework that can be applied to other regions. Drawing on policy comparisons with the rest of Canada, the U.S., Scotland, and South Africa, it highlights the urgent need for stronger legislative protections, adaptive land-use planning, and community-engaged management. The study ultimately calls for a multi-scalar, equity-driven approach to access planning that integrates legal reform, infrastructure investment, geospatial tools, and climate adaptation to ensure long-term, fair, and sustainable coastal access within Nova Scotia.
Access status: Open Access ,
Aligning Science and Policy for North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) Recovery: An Analysis of Presentations at the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium and Canada-US Legislative Frameworks
(2025-12) Martin, Emma
The recovery of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) is governed by separate legislative frameworks in Canada and the United States. Two of the main legislations include the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). This paper analyzes the effectiveness of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (NARWC) as a mechanism for science-policy integration across the transboundary range, evaluating its performance based on its ‘fit for purpose’: rebuilding of the endangered NARW population. An in-depth systematic analysis was conducted on 227 NARWC presentations from 2017-2023, examining the components of fit for purpose including credibility, relevancy and legitimacy, alongside the core analysis of legislative alignment between recommendations made by presenters at the NARWC and policy objectives. This analysis reveals that the system operates as a single loop knowledge system. It was found that science presented at the consortium is highly aligned with existing policy objectives, however, the system suffers from institutional and governance gaps, specifically concerning the inclusion of diverse knowledge and addressing emerging threats. The NARWC mandate and current function is as an effective information sharing venue but lacks the dedicated structure for effective knowledge brokerage necessary to challenge the foundations of SARA and ESA. Structural and institutional recommendations are provided to enhance synthesis and introduce brokerage roles to integrate diverse knowledge within the system and consider a move toward a double loop system.
Access status: Open Access ,
Advancing Ocean Literacy Through Media: Best Practices and Insights for Engaging Young Adults in Canada
(2025-12) Carmichael, Eva
Ocean literacy, defined as “an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you, and your influence on the ocean”, is key to advancing the United Nations Ocean Decade Challenge 10: Restoring society’s relationship with the ocean. Public ocean perceptions research (POPR) provides insights into society’s ocean awareness, ocean connectedness, and actions that support a healthy ocean. These insights are particularly relevant for strategic ocean communications, which represent a key pathway for advancing ocean literacy. In Canada, the Centre for Ocean Literacy Collaboration, formerly known as the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, has pioneered POPR, but limited research has focused on young adults’ perspectives. It is important to address this gap because young adults will inherit future ocean challenges and will be responsible for managing ocean sustainability. For them to meaningfully contribute, they must be ocean literate. To this end, the ubiquity of media as an information source in this digital age can be leveraged by targeted communication strategies. POPR on young adults can provide insights into young adults’ perceptions, guiding tailored communication strategies and inspiring action. This study synthesizes key communication strategies through a directed qualitative analysis of the Communications Inc. Better Practice Principles document, a practitioner-oriented set of guidelines on impactful and effective communication strategies. Findings are integrated with a quantitative analysis of the Canadian dataset of the Ocean and Society Survey (OSS) (n=1,022) to examine young adults’ (aged 18 – 34) perceptions of media’s role in advancing ocean literacy. Ultimately, this research identifies communication approaches that are most effective for engaging young adults in Canada and strengthening their ocean knowledge, emotional connection, and pro-ocean behaviours.
Access status: Open Access ,
Managing invasive species in Nova Scotia: public perceptions of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) retention in the Margaree Valley
(2025-12) Addis, Sinead
Freshwater ecosystems, dynamic and complex environments rich with biodiversity, are threatened by aquatic invasive species. In Nova Scotia, smallmouth bass is a well-known aquatic invasive species found in over half of the province’s watersheds. In an attempt to reduce the spread of smallmouth bass populations, in 2024, the Provincial Government implemented a mandatory retention order in the Margaree River watershed, Cape Breton. The effectiveness of such management efforts often hinges on public acceptance and compliance; however, the degree to which anglers and the community are accepting of and complying with the retention order is unknown. This study explores local perceptions of the retention order by utilizing semi-structured and structured interviews guided by Ostrom’s social-ecological systems framework. The results indicate that support for mandatory retention as a management strategy was strong, although not universal. The retention order was viewed as a tool that could help support and maintain ecosystem balance by reducing smallmouth bass biomass in the watershed, thereby benefiting native species. Yet the order was simultaneously criticized both for its rushed implementation and lack of stakeholder engagement. It was also criticized for being implemented too late after the initial introduction of the species to the region, limiting its ability to have any real impact on the population. Importantly, social and ecological variables were interconnected by moral value conflicts, where personal values often conflicted with conservation goals. This research provides valuable insights for developing effective invasive species management plans and underscores the importance of incorporating human dimensions into biological invasion research and management decisions.
Access status: Open Access ,
Wicuhkemine: Revive the Bay of Fundy Water Back in the Quoddy Region, Peskotomuhkati lessons from 14,000 years of honouring Samaqan
(2024-12) Pohl, Bethany
Samaqan, Water – we are all connected. The Peskotomuhkati Peoples have lived in a reciprocal relationship with the Lands, Waters, and Wildlife of the Skutik River watershed, the Quoddy Region, and Monahnuk (Grand Manan Archipelago)–southwestern Bay of Fundy – since time immemorial. Wildlife populations, including Peskotom (pollock) the Peskotomuhkati’s namesake, have struggled for the past two centuries. The Canada-U.S. border divides the Skutik River and Peskotomuhkati territory, a meaningless border to Wildlife, but one that complicates protection and restoration of culture and habitat. The Quoddy Region is rich in nutrient upwellings, supporting a range of biodiversity, yet has no formal marine protection west of Musquash Marine Protected Area (MPA), in either country. With rising calls for action, yet no formal marine protection plan, there is an incredible opportunity to advance Indigenous-led marine conservation through a Water Back framework, return of Water rights and responsibility to Indigenous Nations (Leonard et al., 2023). Understanding that MPAs are not a silver bullet, this project explores appetite for Peskotomuhkati-led marine Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and defines elements required for collaborative ocean governance. A legislative review of conservation tools and IPCAs, interviews, and talking circles with Peskotomuhkati and non-Indigenous practitioners outlined conservation values, restoration needs, policy and management changes required to repair the health of the Bay and all relatives. Peskotomuhkati community members interviewed from Sipayik wish to see the entire Quoddy Region protected and revitalized – through Peskotomuhkati leadership. Concerns includeland and ocean-based cumulative impacts, inadequate monitoring, rockweed harvesting, overfishing, gear types, a need for temporal closures, and finfish aquaculture practices. Revival of the Quoddy Region will require interdisciplinary, interjurisdictional efforts grounded in Indigenous leadership through Water Back principles. Wicuhkemine – help us. Holistic thinking, honouring Treaty integrity by addressing power imbalances, and a values shift are necessary for true effectiveness in reviving the Quoddy Region, to welcome Peskotum home.
Access status: Open Access ,
HARBOURING LIFE: EXAMINING AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AROUND THE PORT OF HALIFAX TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & MANAGEMENT
(2024-12) Christopher, Abby
Over time, Halifax Harbour has undergone significant alterations due to human activities, impacting sediment composition, biodiversity, species distribution, seabed morphology, and sediment transport pathways. Despite these changes, the harbour remains integral to Nova Scotia's history, culture, and economy. In 2022, the Port of Halifax contributed $4.87 billion to the provincial economy, generating $2.5 billion in GDP and supporting over 25,300 jobs. As a global shipping hub connected to over 150 countries, it also serves as a vibrant arts and cultural destination. However, ongoing port operations and expansions threaten the local aquatic ecosystems. While the port acknowledges these risks, there remains a critical gap in understanding and monitoring the harbour's aquatic environment. This study addresses that gap by reviewing existing literature on the harbour’s geology, bathymetry, oceanography, species, and habitats, supplemented by data collected from local divers on habitat types, species distribution, and sediment conditions. The goal is to guide the Halifax Port Authority (HPA) in improving its aquatic environmental management practices. The study identifies key ecological areas and species, highlights socio-economic considerations, uncovers knowledge gaps, and proposes actionable recommendations for more effective management and monitoring. To support the HPA’s decision-making, an interactive GIS map was created to visualize key ecological data. Ultimately, this study aims to enhance the management of aquatic ecosystems within the Port of Halifax, ensuring a balance between environmental sustainability and the port's vital economic and cultural roles.
Access status: Open Access ,
Charting the Progress on Ecosystem-Based Management of Fisheries in NAFO Division 4X: Integrated Fisheries Management Plans through the Lens of the Maritimes Region EBM Framework
(2024-12) Silver, Kayla
Given the decline of key commercial stocks over the last few decades and significant changes to the overall structure and function of the marine ecosystem, it is time to adopt an ecosystem-based approach that considers ecological, economic, social/cultural, and governance objectives into management decisions, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of fisheries. These considerations are reflected in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Maritimes Region Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) Framework. The EBM Framework offers an integrated management and decision-making support tool for all sectors of DFO Maritimes Region to apply an EBM approach to decisions related to fisheries, oceans, estuarine, and freshwater management. This paper examined to what degree the Maritimes Region EBM Framework objectives are reflected in the language used in nine Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs) for NAFO Division 4X (Western Scotian shelf and the Bay of Fundy). Examining current IFMPs through the lens of the Maritimes EBM Framework will contribute to the understanding of how well fisheries in NAFO Div. 4X are currently adopting an ecosystem-based approach and explore how a broader suite of objectives can contribute to more successful management. The results showed that language used in the IFMPs varied considerably, but all IFMPs demonstrated some use of language that aligned with the objectives of the EBM framework. The IFMPs language strongly reflected the Ecological objectives and aligned weakest with the Social/Cultural objectives. It is recommended that IFMPs adopt EBM objectives that reflect preserving population structure and genetic diversity, address economic opportunities for industry and communities, economic equity, fostering social and cultural health and well-being, addressing climate change, and improving governance through inclusivity and diverse knowledge. Adopting these recommendations will contribute to the sustainable management of fisheries, aligning more closely with the comprehensive objectives of the EBM Framework.
Access status: Open Access ,
Buffer Zones in Canadian Marine Protected Areas: Design Process to Date and Future Recommendations
(2024-12) Tsomik, Gita
Marine Protected Area (MPA) practitioners and decision-makers spend a long time and substantial effort establishing an MPA. Yet, pressures outside of the MPA boundaries remain. Surrounding activities and edge effects can limit an MPA's conservation potential and minimize its ability to achieve conservation objectives. To mitigate the pressure of external activities and reduce edge effects, some MPA practitioners include buffer zones within MPAs. However, their design processes are not well documented in Canada nor internationally, and existing literature on buffer zones is limited. For these reasons, this project aims to determine 1) what the process has been to design buffer zones for select MPAs in Canada with buffers, 2a) if any tools exist to support the design of MPA buffer zones, 2b) if new tools could be developed to support buffer zone design in MPAs such as decision trees, frameworks, assessments, or processes, and 3) what processes or elements MPA practitioners should consider in the future when designing buffer zones within MPAs. To answer these questions, the buffer systems of three different MPAs were used as case studies and compared: the Gully MPA, the Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound MPA, and the Tarium Niryutait MPA. For each MPA, interviews with practitioners were conducted to document each design process that was used and identify the remaining knowledge gaps. Based on the collected information, the main recommendations outline the need for a defined process to ensure consistency between regions and development of guiding principles for buffer zone design.
Access status: Open Access ,
Tuna today, taking from tomorrow: An economic assessment and policy analysis of Indian Ocean Tuna Commission management of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
(2024-12) Schrempf, Scott
In 2015, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) assessed that the yellowfin tuna (YFT) stock was overfished and subject to overfishing, meaning the population would decline without effective management. Since then, the recommended maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of YFT in the Indian Ocean has decreased by 17%, while catches have remained the same. This is despite IOTC Resolutions instituting catch limits. As States prioritize short-term economic benefits, I looked to understand how this influences the economic outlook of the fishery from 2014-2022 by valuing actual catches versus catch at the recommended MSY using import price data for fresh, frozen, and canned markets. Additionally, I looked to understand actions taken and level of compliance with YFT measures taken over this period. These analyses occur in 3-year increments coinciding with the IOTC’s YFT stock assessments in 2015/2016, 2018, and 2021. As time has progressed, the gap between economic outputs of actual catch and catch at recommended MSY continues to grow, with varying levels of compliance to new management measures. As this occurs, IOTC decision-making has become more complex as Member States attempt to maximize their portion of a decreasing catch and enact measures which do not reach the scientifically advised threshold necessary for YFT recovery. The lack of an allocation regime, uncertainties surrounding stock assessments and catch reporting, and the potential socioeconomic impacts from recovery efforts exacerbate these issues. As the IOTC continues to debate the best course, they may risk a stock crash that causes economic devastation, particularly for Coastal States.

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