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MEOPAR and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 

The Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) has been engaged on the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development by keeping Canadian researchers aware and involved at various capacities. This has been ongoing since the Ocean Decade’s preparatory phase and the official start of the decade in 2021.

One of the goals of the Ocean Decade is to promote international collaborations. By advertising Canadian initiatives, we are increasing Canada’s visibility and showcasing its leadership to invite partnerships. 

While many initiatives have potential to be replicated internationally, we have mostly helped scientists, and particularly Early Career Scientists, from all relevant disciplines across Canada to get involved. More information about MEOPAR’s activities in support of the Ocean Decade are presented below. 

As a national network, MEOPAR is directly addressing 5 of the Ocean Decade Outcomes for the Ocean We Want. 

The Network has continually supported projects and initiatives across its program areas (Research, Training, Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization, and Communities of Practice) that align well with the UN Decade’s Outcome Areas. Learn more about our most recent successes that align with the Decade Outcomes:   

Outcome Area 2:

A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are understood, protected, restored and managed. 

During Cycle II (2017-2022), MEOPAR funded close to 70 interdisciplinary research projects with more than 50% of them focusing on a healthy and resilient ocean. Topics included predicting the future of seagrass meadows, monitoring juvenile American lobsters, and examining ocean deoxygenation trends and impacts. Learn more about MEOPAR’s research projects. (site in construction). 

Since launching in 2018, MEOPAR’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PDF) has provided extra support to 8 early career researchers working on interdisciplinary topics ranging from tracking of coastal fish movement, impacts of shipping risk and climate change in the Canadian Arctic, assessing ocean upwelling, algal blooms and biological productivity in British Columbia, to remote sensing of benthic ecosystems in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Check out the Cohort 1 projects to learn more about the projects and people we have supported. 

Outcome Area 4:

A predicted ocean where society understands and can respond to changing ocean conditions. 

Cohort 2 and Cohort 3 of our PDF Program supported 14 postdocs whose projects linked to ocean prediction and response, from using artificial intelligence to predict sea-ice freeze-up events, to modelling of fisheries productivity to improve commercial management. 

In addition to a wide range of research projects, MEOPAR supports a diversity of initiatives and activities in ocean prediction and response, and cross-Canada cooperation and knowledge exchange via its Prediction and Response Cores. Several of the Prediction Core and Response Core activities can contribute directly to Canadian involvement in the UN Decade, for example the Decade-endorsed CoastPredict initiative. 

The Tracer Release Experiment (TReX) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, jointly supported by the Réseau Québec Maritime and the MEOPAR network, is developing and testing marine dispersion observation and forecasting capabilities, in order to improve response to maritime incidents in coastal areas. Watch the project video here to learn more. 

Outcome Area 5:

A safe ocean where life and livelihoods are protected from ocean-related hazards. 

The Canadian Coastal Resiliency Forum (CCRF) and Coast and Ocean Risk Communication (CORC) CoPs have excelled in supporting researchers to create and partner on innovative projects such as:  

Canadian Hazards Emergency Response & Preparedness Research Initiative (CHERP) – Dr. Ryan Reynolds led the charge in creating this innovative hazard response application using research outreach and engagement to connect community emergency management teams with researchers and students working in community resilience, hazard risk reduction, and community preparedness. 

Resilient-C – Created by professor Stephanie Chang and her team at the University of British Columbia, this web-based platform helps coastal communities across Canada to identify other communities that share similar coastal hazard vulnerabilities, so they can share knowledge, resources, and best practices concerning adaptation policy. The Resilient-C platform  was funded under MEOPAR’s Response Core. 

Find more resources addressing Outcome Area 5 from CCRF here and CORC here. 

Outcome Area 6:

An accessible ocean with open and equitable access to data, information and technology and innovation. 

Availability and access to research vessels are critical for Canadian scientists to explore and monitor, observe and understand our country’s marine environment and vast ocean spaces, and capacity has been diminishing for decades despite a growing need for scientific information about the ocean environment. MEOPAR addressed this barrier by establishing the National Research Vessel Task Team (NRVTT) / Groupe de travail national sur les navires de recherche (GTNNR) to collate and examine needs and opportunities across the country and provide advice on ways forward. One of the emerging solutions was the development of Modular Ocean Research Infrastructure (MORI) as an alternative pathway to support sophisticated, vessel-based ocean research that would potentially be more flexible, economical, scalable and delivered faster than construction or purchase of a new fleet of specialized research vessels. The MORI concept is likely to be relevant beyond Canada’s borders and could open up new possibilities for coastal states that cannot support specialized research vessels of their own.

The Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) is a national collaboration to share high-quality data and information, in both English and French, on the state of our coasts and oceans, making access to information easier than ever. Jointly funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and MEOPAR in 2019, CIOOS works across the nation and across sectors to unite the knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure of Canada’s ocean observing community. 

Outcome Area 7:

An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development. 

Our pioneering Fathom Fund platform has helped crowd-source funds to support the Stories For Stream2Sea platform, which collects Canadians’ stories of changing ocean relationships, through community science journalism and participatory visual methods. Read more and contribute here. The Fathom Fund is yet another MEOPAR-initiated model that could be applicable to support of research within Canada under the UN Decade. 

MEOPAR’s Workshop Training Fund made co-designing the Coastal Connection Challenge with the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition (COLC) and Early Career Ocean Professionals Canada (ECOP Canada) possible. The goal of this officially IOC-UNESCO endorsed campaign is to encourage people living in Canada, in particular young people aged 16-30, to explore their connection to the ocean and local waterways. In so doing, the team is hoping to enhance ocean understanding and increase awareness of the UN Ocean Decade. Join the challenge here.  

The Indigenous Knowledge Social Network (SIKU) is a knowledge mobilization project funded by MEOPAR and an example of data sharing in northern Canada. The mobile app and web platform built by and for Inuit provides tools and services for ice safety, language preservation and weather conditions. It facilitates self-determination in research, education and stewardship for Indigenous communities. 

Activities in support of the Ocean Decade

Ocean Decade Inventory 

One-stop-shop of stakeholders and activities.

Science-Art Symbiosis 

Workbook and Professional Inspiration Session.

Read More.

Town Halls

Read more.

Ocean Decade Inventory

A compilation of Canadian expertise and work under the Ocean Decade has been made into an accessible inventory. The goal is to help connect individuals and organizations working in similar fields, with similar needs, or similar projects under the Ocean Decade.  

This is a foundational step towards addressing gaps and forming actionable solutions for the ocean we want. This tool will lend a hand in driving Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) National Ocean Decade Implementation Strategy and support the Outcome Area Champions in forming strong networks of networks. The inventory is also available on Ocean Research in Canada Alliance ORCA’s Sharepoint.  

Are you looking to get involved on Ocean Decade projects? Or have an idea of your own, but are unsure where to start? Need personnel to carry out your research project? 

View the inventory
Access the inventory via ORCA's Sharepoint

Science-Art Symbiosis

MEOPAR has been exploring the practice of science-art with the intention of inspiring future creations through its Science-Art Symbiosis Program. Co-developed by interdisciplinary scientist Samantha Jones, the activities under the program aim to engage and center the science-art practices of diverse folks. We can use art together with our science to amplify results and to reflect on our research from a different perspective.

Want to read more about the Science-Art Symbiosis?

Ready to give it a try an get creative? First, watch the Science-Art Symbiosis: Professional Inspiration Session to guide you.

Download the Science-Art Workbook and start your journey!

Past Town Halls

The Town Halls provided space for conversation to identify how Canada can contribute to the Ocean Decade and the relevant expertise among MEOPAR’s network members and affiliates.  

The goal of the Town Halls was to flesh out the foundation of four main idea clusters to prepare for and sketch an actionable path forward for future endorsement opportunities: 

  • Supporting Self-Determined Indigenous Led Research 
  • Climate Change Awareness into Action 
  • National and International Networking  
  • Science as Art  

The Town Halls were convened by MEOPAR and the following: ArcticNet, ASLO, CMOS, CNC-SCOR, ECOP Canada, Hakai Institute, Québec Océan, Réseau Québec maritime, the Tula Foundation, UQAR.

This Town Hall initiative has been endorsed by the IOC-UNESCO as an official Ocean Decade Activity. 

Read the Town Halls Summary

First Town Hall 

Date: December 3, 2021 

An interdisciplinary and intergenerational group of 40 Canadian marine researchers came together for a town hall to sketch an actionable path forward towards collaboration under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Read About First Town Hall Outcomes

Second Town Hall  

Date: February 3, 2022  

The Second Town Hall took place as part of MEOPAR’s Annual Scientific Meeting. It identified ideas, rationale, goals/objectives, key players, and resources that would advance the four main idea clusters.