Tab B9 - Science at Fisheries and Oceans Canada

On this page

• Purpose
• The role of science at DFO
• Core science functions
• DFO scientists – Who we are
• Collaboration and innovation
• Science advice
• Peer review at DFO
• CSAS transformation

Purpose

1. Provide an overview of science at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
2. Outline DFO’s scientific footprint
3. Highlight DFO Science’s process to develop advice in support of evidence-based decision-making.

The role of science at DFO

DFO science provides information, analysis, and advice on key areas.

• Sustainable fisheries 
• Species protection and recovery
• Impacts of aquaculture on ecosystems
• Environmental and risk assessments
• Oceans management
• Safe navigation in Canada’s waterways 
• Science to support emergency response

Core science functions

Research

Produces the evidence base to inform management decisions

Program Monitoring

Ongoing long-term data help us understand and react to changes in our waters

Scientific Data

Generate and share data that are accessible, usable, and of known quality

Data Products and Services

Hydrographic products and surveys (e.g., digital charts)

Science Advice

Supports evidence-based decision-making

DFO scientists – Who we are

A highly skilled workforce, with science expertise spanning all areas of fisheries and ocean science

• Approximately 2,500 staff
• DFO Science works at research institutes, laboratories, experimental centres and offices across the country
• Science at-sea field component 
• Science collaborations and partnerships

Collaboration and innovation

Taking a collaborative approach

• Collaborations with range of partners – e.g. Science Industry Collaboration Hub
• Science Enterprise Centres
• International leadership and testing new technology

Communicating our science

• State of the ocean reporting
• Publications and plain language outreach
• Supporting open data and open science initiatives

Science advice

Our science advice supports evidence-based decision-making

• The Department's Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) provides a process to generate peer-reviewed advice.
  • Includes internal and external experts
  • Results in >100 meetings and  publications on DFO's website

CSAS process

1. Call for requests for science advice
2. Developing requests for science advice
3. Developing the science advisory schedule
4. Developing the ToR and peer-review logistics
5. Analysis/working paper
6. Peer-review assessment and drafting the science advice
7. Submitting the science advice and supporting documents
8. Publishing the science advice and supporting documents

Peer review at DFO

• DFO’s Science Integrity Policy (SIP) recognizes the importance of high quality science and DFO’s Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) process to generate advice to inform decision-making.
• Participation in CSAS process meetings is by invitation and participants are selected based on their expertise of the subject matter.
  • A Conflict of Interest Policy clarifies that experts participate independently and objectively to contribute their knowledge (i.e., do not represent an organization or interest).
  • An External Expert Identification Committee has been created to help identify external experts and/or co-chairs for peer review processes.
• All meeting documents and deliberations remain confidential until final results released by DFO.
• The CSAS website provides access to all meeting outputs and relevant documents that support the process:
  • The full science advisory schedule includes Terms of Reference;
  • All CSAS publications are available online dating back to 1977;
  • CSAS Policies and Guidelines are also available to the public.

CSAS transformation

• Strengthening our practice of delivering science advice by building on lessons learned and from best practices around the world
• Broadening range of external experts and/or co-chairs for peer review processes
  • Registry for External Science Experts
  • External Expert Identification Committee
• Ensuring transparent and inclusive peer-reviewed advice
  • Linking to publicly available data
  • Inclusion of alternative perspectives
  • Implementation of Observer Policy starting internally
• Engaging Canadians through outreach and communication
  • Updated web presence, targeted training and new outreach products