Press Release
Supporting marine planning and conservation in the outer Bay of Fundy through stakeholder engagement and characterization of the local ecology
Through the Oceans Management Contribution Program, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has awarded a new marine planning and conservation project in the outer Bay of Fundy to ECW, a local environmental non-profit.
For decades ECW has brought technical expertise and community perspective to research projects in the outer Bay of Fundy. We have worked closely with regional, provincial, and federal governments and partners to conduct many types of research, including ongoing monitoring of the health of the Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area, extensive biodiversity monitoring to understand spatial and temporal patterns in fish, and underwater noise monitoring for ship noise and marine mammal communications. These efforts often serve to provide valuable data and insights to decision-makers.
This most recent funding provides the opportunity for more marine research in our region, as well as community outreach to build regional trust and understanding around marine protection. With this support from the federal government, ECW is thrilled to continue to work with local partners to collect important data which is missing from this region, as well as to create a short documentary highlighting the significant biodiversity and community perspectives of the outer Bay of Fundy.
ECW’s Aquatic Science Program Manager, Kalen Mawer, says this about the project:
Considering the federal government’s targets to conserve 30% of our oceans by 2030, it’s likely we’ll be seeing more protective measures coming to
Atlantic Canada over the next few years. We’re excited to be able to bring grassroots perspective and community participation to federal decision-
making processes through this project.
The ECW team will work closely with community partners to engage and receive meaningful contribution to future marine planning and conservation in our waters.
About ECW
ECW Inc. is a non-government organization focused on the environmental and community health of southwest New Brunswick and the Bay of Fundy.
For more information, contact:
Kalen Mawer, Aquatic Science Program Manager
kmawer@ecw.ngo
506-456-6001