Paul MacKinnon

This final report from the Atlantic Seal Science Task Team presents recommendations to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) regarding its seal science priorities, specifically for harp and grey seals, and ways to enhance collaboration with the fishing industry. The recommendations focus on addressing knowledge gaps in seal diet, distribution, and migration, improving the understanding of seal-fish stock relationships, and fostering collaborative research with various partners. It also suggests concrete improvements for DFO's communication of seal science to stakeholders and the public, aiming to inform DFO's future research priorities and pinniped-related science activities.

The Government of Canada's plan for aquaculture aims to address rising global seafood demand by creating economic opportunities and jobs in coastal communities, while ensuring environmental sustainability. Key pillars include an approach based on scientific evidence to protect wild fish and aquatic life, integration of environmental, social, and economic factors, engagement with Indigenous peoples, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. The plan also emphasizes fostering innovation, utilizing green technologies, and unifying regulations under a national aquaculture act, ultimately promoting environmentally responsible practices and sustainable job creation for Canadians.

This document outlines the establishment and strategic focus of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Arctic Region, created in 2018 to specialize services and integrate northern community input. Key areas of work include conserving northern marine ecosystems, co-developing and delivering scientific research, and managing sustainable fisheries and marine mammal harvesting. The region prioritizes reconciliation, fostering economic opportunities with Inuit, First Nations, Metis, and all northerners, and promoting arctic employment. Its overarching goal is to sustainably manage the Arctic for the benefit of the North and all Canadians, particularly in response to a changing climate opening the area to increased fishing, shipping, and resource development.

This document outlines Canada's commitment and strategic approach to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. It emphasizes international cooperation, scientific research, and technological innovation to address ocean challenges, improve understanding of ocean conditions, and mitigate impacts of ocean changes. Key initiatives include developing a national sustainable blue economy strategy and contributing to marine biodiversity, climate change efforts, and plastic pollution reduction, aiming to achieve the world's sustainable development goals by 2030 and ensure lasting ocean prosperity.

The document details the Coastal Environmental Baseline program, a collaborative effort led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, involving First Nations, NGOs, and academics. This program aims to collect crucial baseline ecological data at six key coastal sites in Canada to support local communities in understanding and managing their ecosystems. By filling data gaps on habitat, species populations, and species at risk, the initiative seeks to provide essential information for long-term decision-making and policy development, particularly in response to climate change, while integrating traditional and scientific knowledge.