Rising Tides, Rising Leaders
Images provided by PMSA, showing West Coast Biodiversity and their Kelp Rescue initiative / by Fernando Lessa
by Jamie Contos
With the longest coastline in the world, Canada’s economy, communities, and natural resources are heavily dependent on ocean research that combats coastal challenges and drives forward innovation and sustainability. To accomplish this, it is essential to build research capacity across the nation.
By strengthening research, teaching, and innovation programs, opportunities can be created for the next generation of ocean leaders to advance Canada’s role both nationally and internationally in ocean research and management.
With these opportunities in mind, the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) and the Pacific Marine Science Alliance Society (PMSA) are partnering together on a three-year collaboration that will expand ocean research capacity along Canada’s Pacific and Western Arctic coasts.
This $300,000 initiative will bring together national and regional expertise to address globally significant research challenges, including climate resilience, marine hazard prediction, and sustainable resource use, while supporting Indigenous-led stewardship, student mobility, and new international research partnerships.
“The Pacific Marine Science Alliance (PMSA) recognizes the need for a transformative investment in Pacific and Western Arctic Ocean research and education,” explained PMSA Chair, David Turpin.
“By partnering with MEOPAR we will expand our impact nationally and internationally and build the research, innovation and teaching programs needed to support the next generation of students, scientists, and engineers seeking to unlock the ocean's potential for the benefit of all Canadians.”
As a partnership between the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University, The University of British Columbia, and the University of Victoria, PMSA has worked to advance knowledge of ocean and coastal environments through collaboration, research, and education for over 50 years.
Guided by the stewardship priorities of Indigenous and coastal communities, this partnership will develop a national ocean research collaboration across Canada’s three coasts.
Through increasing access to ocean research data and infrastructure across the eastern Pacific Rim and Western Arctic, the project will enable informed decision-making and build stronger national connections between Canada’s Pacific research institutions and a national network. In turn, these connections will open the door to develop international research partnerships in France, Chile, and other global leaders in ocean science.
By expanding training and mobility opportunities for students and researchers across the country, new pathways will be created to advance climate resilience, knowledge mobilization and coastal community adaptation.
“This collaboration reflects MEOPAR’s commitment to connecting and coordinating Canada’s ocean research efforts from coast to coast to coast,” said MEOPAR Executive Director, Jamie Snook.
“We are not only building new capacity in western Canada but also strengthening national and international partnerships that will help keep Canada strategic and impactful in the critical work of ocean research and management. Together, with PMSA we are laying the groundwork for unprecedented collaboration, transformative research, and innovation that will benefit coastal communities, the blue economy, and our ocean.”
MEOPAR is dedicated to fostering collaboration that builds research capacity and provides the knowledge and tools needed to manage risks and opportunities in Canada’s changing oceans. This partnership, and those like it, hold the key to a coordinated approach to Canadian ocean science that drives tangible change and positive impact.
Do you have an impact project that can contribute to a strong future for Canadian Ocean Science? Explore MEOPAR’s Call for Partnerships and collaborate today.
