A pilot project that provides user-friendly, local data on coastal marine traffic to Indigenous communities across Canada has been extended, as announced by the honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport on 23 July 2019. Launched in May 2019, the Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness pilot project has been extended until 2022, with $6.9M of new funding to further support and to expand the participation of other organizations in the project.
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport announces the new Oceans Protection Plan funding at Ocean Pointe Hotel overlooking Victoria’s inner harbour on 23 July 2019.
Under the program, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is partnering with Indigenous communities to install new ocean sensors, collect water property data from guardian vessels and fishing boats, support data acquisition and new data product development, and implement local training and youth programs.
“During this critical time, ONC is excited to work with Transport Canada and our Indigenous community partners to pool our collective knowledge and data to better understand the changing coastal environment and inform responsible management,” says ONC’s Maia Hoeberechts, associate director, Learning and Community Engagement.
“Pacheedaht First Nation has 112 km of shoreline territory from the waters off Sheringham Point to Bonilla Point out to Swiftsure Bank. We are excited to access the Enhanced Marine Situational Awareness funding to support initiatives in the marine territory, and very pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with Ocean Networks Canada. Their expertise in data collection and processing is extensive, and we are excited to be working with them on this exciting project.” Chief Jones, Pacheedaht Nation.
The Pacheedaht Nation is one of the 10 communities across Canada to receive support from the Enhanced Maritime Situation Awareness pilot initiative. Left to right: Chief Jones, Pacheedaht Nation, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and Maia Hoeberechts, Ocean Networks Canada.
“Under the Oceans Protection Plan and the Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness initiative, the Government of Canada is taking an innovative approach to improving marine safety and a more collaborative approach to protecting our coasts. The near real-time information being provided to coastal communities makes our coasts and waterways safer than ever before.” The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport.
