The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management (ESSIM) Initiative

Alternate Formats
Print

The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management (ESSIM) Initiative is a collaborative ocean planning process being led and facilitated by the Oceans and Coastal Management Division (OCMD), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO – Maritimes Region) under the Oceans Act. The ESSIM Initiative was announced by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in December 1998 and followed the recommendation from the Sable Gully Conservation Strategy that integrated management approaches be applied to the offshore area around the Sable Gully Area of Interest. (The Gully has since been officially designated as a Marine Protected Area under the Oceans Act.) The primary aim of the ESSIM Initiative is to develop and implement an Integrated Ocean Management Plan for this large marine region. This multi-year, strategic level plan provides long-term direction and a common basis for integrated, ecosystem-based and adaptive ocean management.

The ESSIM planning process involves a broad range of interests, including government, Aboriginal groups, ocean industry and resource users, environmental conservation groups, coastal communities, and university researchers.

The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Ocean Management Plan was completed by the ESSIM Stakeholder Advisory Council and released by the ESSIM Planning Office in June 2008. Work is now underway to advance the objectives and strategies in the plan through action planning.

Contact the ESSIM Planning Office for more information .