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
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