Resource management issues focus of symposium at Malaspina

Resource management issues on the BC coast will be the focus of a one-day symposium called "Charting a Course" at Malaspina University-College in Nanaimo on March 31.

Hosted by Malaspina’s new Institute for Coastal Research (ICR), the symposium will appeal to all members of the public, including students, staff and faculty who are interested in exploring a more positive way of dealing with controversial issues that affect the BC coast, including salmon farming, marine protected areas, forestry and fisheries issues.

According to Bill Pennell, Acting Director of the ICR and Malaspina’s Honorary Research Associate with the Faculty of Science & Technology, the symposium is the first public event organized by Malaspina’s new ICR which aims to "facilitate a wide spectrum of academic activities related to the BC Coast and its peoples."

"Our main goal is to encourage the development of interdisciplinary activities within Malaspina and with our coastal communities, and create educational opportunities for students," he added. "We hope to include faculty and students from arts and humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, as well as members of our research partner institutions, and people in our communities."

The concept for the ICR was created in 2001, and space for the institute was included on the fourth floor of Malaspina’s new Library in 2005 adjacent to Malaspina’s Research and Scholarly Activities Office. The well-appointed facility includes a computer lab, offices and meeting rooms that are available to visiting scholars and graduate students, as well as Malaspina students and faculty for communication and research purposes.

Pennell as Acting Director, said the ICR has a Steering Committee, and recently formed an external Advisory Committee. Already the ICR has four publications in preparation, five research proposals submitted and several other activities in the planning phase.

Malaspina has also applied for funding for its third Canada Research Chair, which if approved, would focus on interdisciplinary research on coastal resource management issues.

Asked why the work of the ICR is important, Pennell said, "In BC, we tend to approach resource management issues in a somewhat polarized fashion. Issues often become controversies with not enough room for discussion. When controversies erupt in this way, it’s an inefficient way of dealing with the real problems and postpones the finding of solutions that will benefit coastal communities.

"Through the ICR, we’re hoping to find a better way of dealing with these issues by organizing interdisciplinary teams – perhaps a biologist, sociologist, political scientist, economist and maybe a philosopher – who will work together with coastal communities, industries and management agencies to try to identify the real concerns behind the issues and seek positive solutions."

Pennell said the ICR’s first symposium will feature two key note speakers during the morning session, including well-known economist Dr. Rod Dobell of the University of Victoria, who will present an overview of Interdisciplinary Research in BC, with special reference to resource issues on the BC coast. The second speaker is esteemed poet Robert Bringhurst, who will present on People of the BC Coast as Metaphor: A broad look at History and Culture from a Poet’s Vantage Point.

In the afternoon, five research overviews will be presented, including topics such as Tourism, Marine Protected areas, and Aquaculture; and Coastal Waters and Canadian Sanitation Policy; and Research on Policy Development.

All members of the public and students, faculty and staff of Malaspina University-College are invited to attend. Registration fees are $20 per person, which includes lunch at Malaspina and dinner at the Dinghy Dock pub on Protection Island. The symposium opening will take place in Building 355, Room 211, with registration at 9:30 am and a 10 am welcome. The presentations will take place next door in Building 356, Room 109 from 10:30 am to 5 pm.

To indicate your interest in attending the ICR symposuim, please contact Lyn Johnson in Malaspina University-College’s Research and Scholarly Activity Office via email johnsonl@viu.ca or at 753-3245, local 2672.

For more information about the content of the symposium, please contact Dr. Bill Pennell at 740-6347 or by email at pennell@viu.ca