Researchers focus on sustainability of estuary ecosystems

Students, academics and professionals interested in


research and management of ecosystems in regions where rivers meet the Pacific


Coast of North America are gathering at Vancouver Island University April 29 to


May 1.

The 33rd Annual Pacific Estuarine Research


Society (PERS) Conference will explore past and


present human interactions within the estuarine environments of the Salish Sea


and beyond. 

“This


is an academic and professionally focused conference, with graduate and


undergrad students among the presenters on research ranging from the


practicalities of planting eel grass to the impacts of climate change on


fragile estuarine environments,” said Pamela Shaw, a Geography Professor at VIU


and one of the conference organizers.

The conference, entitled Sustainable use of Estuarine


Environments, begins Thursday with keynote speakers Dee Cullon,


an instructor in VIU’s Anthropology Department, and Heather Pratt, of Baseline Archaeological Services


Ltd. in Comox. They will describe


their research into the Nanaimo River Estuary which has played an important


role in supporting First Nations settlement for thousands of years.

Their two-year research project on


behalf of the Snuneymuxw First Nation was the first comprehensive survey of the


Nanaimo River Estuary. Together, they and their crew recorded numerous, newly


documented, archaeological sites including one feature with more than 1,000


wooden stakes used in fish weirs – a traditional method of catching fish.

Friday’s keynote speaker Neil Dawe will


outline environmental problems surrounding estuaries. In the synopsis of his


presentation, the Vancouver Island biologist writes that he “will offer an


explanation as to why, despite concerted efforts by dedicated conservationists,


ecologists, and biologists around the world to reduce these environmental


impacts, many ecosystems and their biodiversity continue on a downward spiral.”

“I suggest it’s because most of


our efforts, to date, have focused on the myriad symptoms of environmental


degradation rather than the root cause: economic growth and its fundamental


conflict with biodiversity conservation.”

Dawe, retired from the Canadian


Wildlife Service and now president of the Qualicum Institute, is an advocate of


a sustainable, steady state economy to protect the environment.

Conference themes include First


Nations interactions with estuarine environments, restoration of estuarine


environments, food systems, ongoing Salish Sea research initiatives, ecosystem


function, including shellfish and eelgrass, governance, including regulatory


frameworks and management tools, and estuary and water stewardship.

Sponsored by VIU’s Institute for


Coastal Research, Centre for Shellfish Research and Geography Department as


well as the BC Conservation Foundation and Department of Fisheries and Oceans,


the conference is expected to attract between 80 and 100 delegates from


BC, Washington State, Oregon and Mississippi. 

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For more information, visit pers-erf.org


or contact: VIU Geography Professor Pamela Shaw 250-753-3245 (Local 2620),


email Pam.Shaw@viu.ca