Message from the Assistant Deputy Minister

I am very proud to present this, my first annual report on science activities at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, since becoming Assistant Deputy Minister. I am pleased to join this group of accomplished men and women whose scientific work spans both our country and our broad scientific mandate.

A key challenge inherent in our science activities is to provide science advice to inform policy and programs, even as we prepare to address emerging issues. Our scientific research, monitoring and collection of freshwater and ocean data are among activities that position us to do both. We do not do this alone. The ecosystem approach to managing our aquatic environments requires the engagement of the Canadian public and a deepening collaboration of policy makers in governments and of scientists in both government and academia, across Canada and internationally.

This report on our key activities of 2009–2010 underscores the scientific challenges presented by the changing and sometimes precarious nature of Canadian ocean and freshwater habitats in our most populated regions.

Nowhere are these changes more evident than along our Pacific Coast. There, commercial fishing is complicated by warming waters accompanied by an influx of Humboldt squid, whose northernmost range was once off the coast of California. Our research into potential Pacific sea level rise helps focus attention on the need to plan for the safety of people and infrastructure in areas of the low-lying Fraser Delta region.

Coastal and surface waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans show evidence of ocean acidification — a serious issue that stands to impact commercial fisheries in the future. Meanwhile, in freshwater ecosystems our scientists work to rebuild indigenous species such as the American Eel, and are working to prevent invaders such as Asian carps from entering the Great Lakes.

The benefits of the important science being done at Fisheries and Oceans Canada can only be fully realized when we ensure it is broadly accessible to others. To mobilize our scientific knowledge, we keep those who depend on our science informed. We provide email alerts of new peer-reviewed science. An online directory of our scientists assists collaboration, and a subscription service for weekly science feature stories enables everyone interested in aquatic science to learn more. We work closely with museums, science centres and aquariums and, in every region of the country, we welcome educators and students into our facilities.

Last, but not least, we produce this annual report on our activities. I encourage you to take advantage of the wealth of information it offers to learn more about the progress of our science team on key scientific challenges relating to Canada’s aquatic ecosystems.

Siddika Mithani, Assistant Deputy Minister
Ecosystems and Oceans Science Sector