Overview of Current Governance In the Bay of Fundy / Gulf of Maine: Transboundary Collaborative Arrangements and Initiatives

Type
Publication
Authors
DAL-ACZISC&MLI ( Atlantic Coastal Zone Information Steering Committee Secretariat and Marine Law Institute of Dalhousie University )
DAL ( Dalhousie University )
Category
SCIWC Library
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Publication Year
2006
Publisher
Pages
132
Subject
Transboundary consideration in the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy
Tags
Abstract
"Introduction
The Gulf of Maine region encompasses approximately 170,000 square kilometers of ocean. It is a semi-enclosed sea bordered by the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and the States of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. On its seaward side, the underwater continental shelf formations of Georges Bank and Browns Bank separate the Gulf from the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Refer to the map of the Gulf of Maine watershed on page 3.
The physical characteristics of the Gulf of Maine help support a distinct and highly productive ecosystem. This ocean region supports a productive fishery along with many other valuable resources. These critical resources are managed by a large, distributed community of organizations with a wide variety of mandates and associated data management environments.
The area is rich in cooperative structure, agreements and governance mechanisms, so it is imperative that these are considered in future planning processes. The current state of affairs must first be understood to advance the priority of enhancing Canada/US collaboration set out in Canada's Oceans Action Plan (OAP) and to advance integrated management in the Bay of Fundy/Gulf of Maine.
The study summarizes current collaborative transboundary governance structures and mechanisms in the Bay of Fundy/ Gulf of Maine region in seven sections: Marine Environmental Protection and Conservation; Regional Cooperation on Acid Rain, Mercury Pollution, Climate change and Ocean Initiatives - New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers; Fisheries and Shellfish Sanitation; Science Programs; Informatics and Geomatics; Non-governmental Organizations; and Shipping and Security. The study recognizes, however, that there may be other informal linkages, for example, at personal and private industry levels and state-provincial working relationships.
The main objective of this work was to prepare an overview of existing mechanism from which Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other partners will be able to further develop integrated management in the area."
The Gulf of Maine region encompasses approximately 170,000 square kilometers of ocean. It is a semi-enclosed sea bordered by the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and the States of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. On its seaward side, the underwater continental shelf formations of Georges Bank and Browns Bank separate the Gulf from the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Refer to the map of the Gulf of Maine watershed on page 3.
The physical characteristics of the Gulf of Maine help support a distinct and highly productive ecosystem. This ocean region supports a productive fishery along with many other valuable resources. These critical resources are managed by a large, distributed community of organizations with a wide variety of mandates and associated data management environments.
The area is rich in cooperative structure, agreements and governance mechanisms, so it is imperative that these are considered in future planning processes. The current state of affairs must first be understood to advance the priority of enhancing Canada/US collaboration set out in Canada's Oceans Action Plan (OAP) and to advance integrated management in the Bay of Fundy/Gulf of Maine.
The study summarizes current collaborative transboundary governance structures and mechanisms in the Bay of Fundy/ Gulf of Maine region in seven sections: Marine Environmental Protection and Conservation; Regional Cooperation on Acid Rain, Mercury Pollution, Climate change and Ocean Initiatives - New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers; Fisheries and Shellfish Sanitation; Science Programs; Informatics and Geomatics; Non-governmental Organizations; and Shipping and Security. The study recognizes, however, that there may be other informal linkages, for example, at personal and private industry levels and state-provincial working relationships.
The main objective of this work was to prepare an overview of existing mechanism from which Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other partners will be able to further develop integrated management in the area."
Description
This document was prepared by the ACZISC Secretariat and Marine & Environmental Law Institute of Dalhousie University in September 2006.
The document focuses on common transboundary Environmental concerns for the area that encompasses the Gulf of Maine and The Bay of Fundy.
Topics and Subjects covered include:
- Marin Environmental Protection and Conservation
- Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (Gulf of Maine: Working Group, Council, Agreement, Committees, Task Forces, Action Plans)
- North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation ( Gulf of Maine Pilot Project on Implementing the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities
- Species at Risk: Transboundary Issues and Recovery Initiatives (Leatherback Turtle, Northern Right Whale, Atlantic Salmon)
- North American Waterfowl and Migratory Birds Cooperation
Regional Cooperation on Acid Rain, Mercury Pollution, Climate Change and Ocean Initiatives - New England governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
- Fisheries and Shellfish Sanitation
- Science Programs
- Informatics and Geomatics
- Non-governmental Organziations
- Shipping and Security
The document focuses on common transboundary Environmental concerns for the area that encompasses the Gulf of Maine and The Bay of Fundy.
Topics and Subjects covered include:
- Marin Environmental Protection and Conservation
- Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (Gulf of Maine: Working Group, Council, Agreement, Committees, Task Forces, Action Plans)
- North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation ( Gulf of Maine Pilot Project on Implementing the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities
- Species at Risk: Transboundary Issues and Recovery Initiatives (Leatherback Turtle, Northern Right Whale, Atlantic Salmon)
- North American Waterfowl and Migratory Birds Cooperation
Regional Cooperation on Acid Rain, Mercury Pollution, Climate Change and Ocean Initiatives - New England governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
- Fisheries and Shellfish Sanitation
- Science Programs
- Informatics and Geomatics
- Non-governmental Organziations
- Shipping and Security
Number of Copies
2