About Marine Conservation Science

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

Scientific data collection from coastal sites in Nova Scotia identified as priority sites for Canada’s marine conservation targets 

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society will collect baseline scientific data from coastal sites in Nova Scotia that have been prioritized for potential Marine Protected Area establishment.

2022-2024

$293,250

Cape Breton University

Modelling Ecological Connectivity among Canada's Atlantic Marine Protected Areas during the Anthropocene

Cape Breton University aims to provide ecosystem-scale research products that support the planning, implementation, monitoring and governance of Marine Protected Areas in Canada (using the East Coast Shelf as a case study).

2022-2025

$296,132

Huntsman Marine Science Centre

Establishing a foundation for molecular monitoring of Marine Protected Areas in the Canadian Atlantic

The Huntsman Marine Science Centre aims to create a curated reference barcode library of taxonomically verified DNA barcodes for Atlantic Canadian marine invertebrate species in the Bay of Fundy region.

2022-2025

$299,595

Kitasoo Xai'xais Indian Band

Science-based approach to the adaptive management of the proposed Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay) Marine Protected Area

The Kitasoo Xai'xais Indian Band  will further survey work to establish baseline information for a site of ecological and cultural importance that has been proposed as a potential Marine Protected Area through the Marine Protected Area planning processes in the Northern Shelf Bioregion in British Columbia.

2022-2025

$180,096

Makeway Charitable Society

Regional Kelp Monitoring on the North Pacific Coast: A Community-Based Monitoring Initiative to Inform Fisheries Habitat Conservation, Climate Resilience and Marine Spatial Planning

The Makeway Charitable Society focuses on incorporating local marine management priorities in the design of monitoring programs, the development of new tools and use of new technologies to couple local and sub-regional monitoring efforts, the sharing of training strategies and methodologies developed through this work, and a novel analysis of kelp habitat.

2022-2025

$999,350

Miawpukek First Nation

Miawpukek First Nation science capacity and data collection in South Coast Newfoundland in support of National Marine Conservation Targets

The Miawpukek First Nation aims to build scientific capacity to collect marine science data. This enhanced capacity will enable data collection in the area, and in other culturally significant areas, to aid in marine planning and conservation decision-making as well as monitoring.

2022-2024

$293,250

Oceans North

Monitoring and tracking marine mammals and sharks in Canada’s Arctic: Merging Indigenous knowledge systems and western science for better management of marine protected areas

Oceans North will use acoustics, tagging, and genetics to better understand the distribution and movement patterns of migratory species with a focus on areas proposed for protection. This information will increase baseline data on sharks, with a focus on Greenland sarks in Nunavut and Nunatsiavut.

2022-2024

$321,261

Simon Fraser University

Sound Management: Integrating Marine Bioacoustics into Habitat Protection and Spatial Planning

Simon Fraser University will develop a novel noise pollution map for British Columbia's coast that is ecologically relevant, spatially accurate and temporally up to date, which will provide an evidence-based decision framework to effectively evaluate and mitigate the ecological impacts of marine noise and help integrate ocean noise management into conservation planning.

2022-2025

$201,250

Spencer Bay Hunters and Trappers Association

Monitoring of shipping noise and marine mammals in the Aviqtuuq Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area near Taloyoak, Nunavut

The Spencer Bay Hunters and Trappers Association will build the scientific capacity of the Spence Bay Hunters and Trappers Association to research and monitor the marine soundscape of Aviqtuuq (the Boothia Peninsula), a proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area.

2022-2025

$508,070

St. Frances Xavier University

Stability and conservation of barrier beach systems associated with estuaries in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

St. Frances Xavier University will collect baseline data along the coast of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, by conducting beach and eelgrass habitat drone surveys.

2022-2025

$215,373

University of Alberta

Forecasting and mitigating the risk from invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas) in Pacific Canada’s marine protected areas

The University of Alberta will develop models for risk assessment and mitigation of the European green crab invasion under current and future climate change scenarios within Marine Protected Areas in the Pacific.

2022-2025

$266,340

University of Alberta

Understanding the bio-physical processes impacting the evolution of Tallurutiup Imanga and Pikialasorsuaq in a warming climate

The University of Alberta aims to build capacity for regional data collection, and to address scientific knowledge gaps for Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area and Pikialasorsuaq/Savarjuaq marine conservation areas.

2022-2025

$708,035

University of British Columbia

Putting fjord biodiversity on the map for British Columbia conservation planning

The University of British Columbia will provide essential baseline information on fjord biodiversity in British Columbia through sampling of environmental DNA, that will raise awareness of the role of fjords as critical habitats and refugia, and guide conservation needs and strategies, including marine spatial planning.

2022-2025

$286,925

University of British Columbia

Projecting the impacts of changing species biogeography on marine spatial planning in the Canadian Arctic

The University of British Columbia will use modelling tools to analyze climate-ocean modelling outputs with biogeographical data of marine species to project future changes in species distribution, abundance and community structure in the Arctic Ocean.

2022-2025

$348,451

University of Manitoba

Ikirassaaluit Qikiqtaimi (Polynyas of the Belcher Islands): A proposal to support marine conservation efforts for the Qikiqtait

The University of Manitoba will develop monitoring strategies, build on local capacity, develop new baseline knowledge and explore the cumulative impacts of climate change and multiple environmental stressors to an ecosystem of regional significance.

2022-2025

$982,560

University of Windsor

Towards assessing the effectiveness of Arctic conservation areas for protecting vulnerable species and supporting fisheries sustainability

The University of Windsor will assess the use of Arctic marine conservation areas by commercially, ecologically and culturally significant species to assess their effectiveness for species conservation, fisheries sustainability and ecosystem functioning in the context of a changing climate.

2022-2025

$1,001,703

World Wildlife Fund Canada

Building capacity within Indigenous communities to develop guidance and tools to map and monitor coastal blue carbon habitats supporting marine conservation goals in Newfoundland and Labrador

World Wildlife Fund Canada will help advance knowledge on coastal blue carbon habitats (through mapping, sampling, and monitoring of eelgrass and kelp habitats) in Newfoundland and Labrador to support protection of these habitats.

2022-2024

$300,000