Integrated coastal and ocean management
Time for action!

From June 9 to 14, 2012, the Coastal Zone Canada Association will hold the 10th biennial international Coastal Zone Canada (CZC) Conference in Rimouski, Quebec. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Université du Québec à Rimouski will host this major event, which brings together researchers, environmental and natural resource managers, policy advisors, decision-makers, educators, students, First Nations and other interested individuals.

Four main themes will be explored:

• Addressing risks to ocean and coastal environments: Adapting for sustainable land development
• Sharing natural spaces and resources: Tools and mechanisms
• Managing and coordinating activities and uses: Dialogue among stakeholders
• Protecting the global commons: Understanding, accepting and negotiating terms

The purpose of the Conference is to promote collaborative efforts in order to strengthen the stakeholders' ability to act. The discussions will mainly focus on measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, the use of natural resources, the protection of marine and coastal environments, sustainable development, and the management of activities and uses. Interested parties will debate the major social, economic and environmental issues affecting ocean and coastal zones.

International Coastal Zone Canada Conference 2012
Official website for the conference

Harbour Authorities
The Gaspé mini-forum

On September 14 and 15, 2011, the last instalment in a short series of mini-forums bringing together harbour authority representatives was held in Gaspé. After the mini-forums in Sept-Îles and Matane last winter, the time had come to host a mini-forum for the harbour authorities from the Magdalen Islands and the southern portion of the Gaspé Peninsula.

A variety of topics were addressed during the mini-forum. Among other things, there was a presentation providing an interesting portrait of the Quebec fisheries industry, complete with figures, graphs and tables.  

One subject in particular garnered the interest of participants, namely, the projects carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the last few years, particularly those which stemmed from Canada's Economic Action Plan.

The Department's initiative in organizing these mini-forums was appreciated by all since the mini-forums give harbour authority representatives the opportunity to discuss issues of import. The format of these meetings is also popular since the smaller number of participants is conducive to more constructive dialogue. 

As the Gaspé mini-forum wound down, participants were already looking forward to the next one!