n.w.t. co-ordinating committ ee on the … · i n d e x page number a. organization and/or...

N.W.T. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

ON THE

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES & OCEAN'S

NORT~ERN ACTIVITIES

· ,

() A REPORT TO THE

N.W.T. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

ON THE

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEAN'S

NORTHERN ACTIVITIES

DECEMBER 1986

G2G060

I N D E X

Page Number

A. ORGANIZATION AND/OR PERSONNEL CHANGES 1 - 3

B. HIGHLIGHTS OF ACTIVITIES SINCE LAST MEETING

(i). Operational. ................................... 4 - 16

(ii). Capital construction planned. conmenced . ....... 17

C. FUTURE PLANS. PROGRAMS .................................. 18 - 24

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D. POLICY INITIATIVES ...................................... 25 - 26

E. OPPORTUNITIES FOR CO-ORDINATION ......................... 27 - 29

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES & OCEAN'S PROGRAMS IN THE N.W.T.

CENTRAL & ARCTIC REGION

Central & Arctic................................................................................ R. Josephson

Field Services Section •.•.•••..•.•••••••••••••.••.••.••••••... Don H. Dowler - South/Central Arctic (D. Moshenko) - Western Arctic (R. Barnes) - Eastern Arctic (R. Allen)

Arctic Resource Assessment Section............................. R. Peet - Resource Impact Division - Fish & Marine Mammal Management Division

Arctic Management Research Section............................. G. Koshinsky

Southern Operati ons.... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. S. Law

OTHER REGIONS

Institute of Ocean Sciences (Pacific).......................... R. Wilson

Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Atlantic)................... H.B. Nicholls

Bayfield Labortory of Marine Science & Surveys (Ontario)....... J. Shaw

Quebec Region Oceanography Surveys (Quebec).................... P. Larouche

Arctic Biological Station (Quebec)............................. A. Mansfield

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N.W. T. Co-ordi nati ng Committee on the Department of Fisheries & Ocean's

Northern Activities December 1986

- Page 1

A. ORGANIZATION AND/OR PERSONNEL CHANGES

General: A departmental re-organization occurred in July. The four ocean science and seven fisheries management regions were consolidated into six Fisheries and Oceans regions. Each region is headed by a Regional Director General (RDG) who is the general manager of the region and is responsible for the delivery of all programs. Each RDG is assisted by a Regional Director for Fisheries Operations, a Regional Director for Science, and directors for Inspection, Small Craft Harbours, Program Co-ordination and Economics, and various support services. Also, science is being organized into three activities, each with a Director. Fisheries and biological sciences are being brought together as Biological Sciences, Contaminants chemistry and physical and chemical oceanography as Physical and Chemical Sciences, and Hydrography remains a separate entity.

Central & Arctic Region I he re-organl zatl on a I so i nvol ved combi ni ng the Western Regi on and Ontari 0 regi on into the new Central and Arcti c Regi on headquartered in Wi nni peg. Mr. Paul Sutherland is RDG of the new region, Mr. Rick Josephson is Regional Director for Fisheries Operations and Dr. Mike McMullen is Regional Director for Science. Fisheries Operations will have four area organizations, each headed by an Area Manager, for the Western Arctic, Central Arctic, Eastern Arctic (at present the three Field Service areas) and Ontario, a Resource Allocation and Habi tat Management group (at present the Arcti c Resource Assessment Secti on), and a Regulatory and Native Affairs group (at present the Arctic and Envi ronmenta 1 Secretari at). The Regi on also has been i denti fi ed as the DFO centre of di sci p 1 i nary experti se for freshwater fi sheri es contami nants and as having major responsibilities for Arctic biological research which will include more emphasis on Arctic fish and marine mammal resource assessment. The re-organization will result in the provision of more Person years to each area organization and to Arctic biological studies enabling the department to serve better its cl i ents in the Northwest Territori es. The detai 1 s of the new regional organization are being worked out, and it will come into effect by 1 April 1987. Further information will be provided when it becomes available.

Field Services South/Central Arctic Area

One new Fishery Officer recruit (trainee) was taken on staff September 1986.

The Offi cer-In-Charge for Central Arcti c transferred to P. E. I. in mi d July 1986. The vacancy created will be staffed early in the new year.

Western Arctic One Fi shery Offi cer transferred to Pacifi c Regi on, and one Fi shery Offi cer transferred from Frobisher Bay to Inuvik. Anticipate staffing Area Manager's position early in the new year as well as a full time clerk and resident biologist, the latter two pending re-adjustment of person years.

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N.W.T. Co-ordinating Committee on the Department of Fisheries & Ocean's

Northern Activities December 1986 - Page 2

Eastern Arctic The Assistant Fishery Officer in Rankin Inlet resigned as of October 17, 1986. Two Fishery Officer trainees were hired and stationed in Frobisher and Rankin Inlet. R. Allen took on the responsibility as Regional Co-ordinator, National Fishery Officer Career Program.

Arctic Management Research Section Fisheries Research Branch (A-Base)

A major re-organization of scientific research in the Region was initiated. Some eventual strengthening of science capability in the Arctic is foreseen. No new personnel were hired.

Northern Oil & Gas Action Program (NOGAP) A project biologist was hired on term to support marine mammal biacoustics and behaviour studies.

Southern Operations The Ml m ster' s announcements in September 1986, regardi ng departmental organi zati onal and resource changes wi 11 result ina maj or con sol i dati on and streamlining of the Inspection program in Canada's freshwater fishery area.

These 1987/1988 departmental initiatives will include the integration of Alberta and the N.W.T. into one district with headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, which will report directly to a Director of Inspection in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

A sub district office will be located in Hay River, N.W.T., to focus on local inspection and vessel insurance activities in the N.W.T.

The above changes wi 11 not affect fi el d deli very of program acti viti es, but instead, will improve the management of operations and enhance industry's access to senior management to deal with fisheries issues.

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Northern Activities December 1986 - Page 3 -

) Institute of Ocean Sciences A maJor re-organ1zat10n of the Department has integrated the previously separate el ements of Oceans Sci ences and Fi sheri es Management into a si ngle program responsible to a Regional Director General - P.S. Chamut. All fisheries and oceanographic sci ence and hydrography programs have been amal gamated under a Regional Director of Science - J.C. Davis.

A Centre of Disciplinary Expertise was established at lOS, recogn1z1ng the world class expertise in climate chemistry (interaction between oceans and the atmosphere terms of the global carbon dioxide balance).

The re-organization has also integrated vessel management. DFO's Pacific fleet will be centred in Sidney to provide more efficient operation of research and patrol vessels.

Bedford Institute of Oceanography As per M1n1ster's announcements 1n September 1986.

Bayfield Laboratory of Marine Science & Surveys As you are aware, DFO has 1 ntegrated 1 t 's former ocean and fi sheri es research programs in to a single Science organization. In addition, Ontario and Western Regions of PFF and Central Region of OSS have combined into a Central and Arctic Regi on.

Arctic Biological Station Douglas Hope was transferred technician in the Biological fisheries investigation.

from his present position as phytoplankton Oceanography section to the Northern Quebec



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B. HIGHLIGHTS OF ACTIVITIES SINCE LAST MEETING (i). Operational


Summer fi shery on Great Sl ave Lake continued with production level s increasi ng by about twenty-five percent for the quota year.

Routi ne moni tori ng, survei 11 ance and sampl i ng of commerci al fi sheri es out of Cambri dge Bay and Great Sl ave Lake conti nued with regul ar patrol s to lodges on Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes.

The Spring walleye sport fishery on Mosquito Creek was monitored as well as a counting fence operation. The stock appears to be hit quite hard and may be over-harvested. There may be a requirement for stronger regulatory controls for 1987.

Domesti c and sport harvest pressure was monitored on the Coppermi ne Ri ver. Initial results reveal a requirement for catch and possession reduction on arctic charr to reduce harvest levels.

Angl er creel i nformati on was gathered and the sampl i ng program duri ng 1986 revealed that there may be a requirement to impose a minimum size restriction on the walleye sport fishery on the Hay River.

Initial assessment of fishing pressure by itinerant anglers in East Arm of Great Slave Lake was completed. Report due early 1987.

Western Arctic The management program continues with patrols to the various fisheries and meetings with the various user groups. The collection of harvest data continues by means of interviews, observation and surveys. Continued participation in the land use committee of INA required the review of all land use applications.

Eastern Arctic Building in Igloolik was acquired from R.C.M.P. and moved to the DFO lot. An organized community hunt for beluga by Pangnirtung HTA took place. Test fisheries of main rivers in Steensby Inlet (Igloolik area) took place. Test fishing for marine fish species occured in Pangnirtung area. Alot of interest in this area has been generated. Charges of narwhal wastage in Pond Inlet area now going through the judiCial system ("not guilty" pleas entered at first court appearance). Cape Dorset court case re: wal rus wastage was completed. Creel census and sampling of the Sylvia Grinnel River continues.

Arctic Resource Assessment Section Resource Impact Dlvlsl0n

Field operations were successfully completed as planned.



Fish & Marine Mammal Management Division (FMMMD) Field programs as stated in the last report have been completed as planned. Acti vi ti es now center around the thi rd and fi nal phase of the cycl e whi ch consists of data analysis, interpretation and report publication.

Arctic Management Research Station Flsherles Research Branch (A-Base)

Long-term research on arctic marine ecosystem Qynamics was continued; staff were 5 1/2 months at Resolute Bay stuQying chlorophyll distribution, primary producti vi ty, and secondary (amphi pod) producti on. The amphi pod work is the subject of two Masters theses.

Hydroacoustic assessment of Arctic cod stocks (partly funded by NOGAP), and aspects of mari ne mammal research compl ement the mar; ne ecosystem dynami cs project.

Ri nged seal haul-out behavi our in Barrow Strait was studi ed for a thi rd and final year by observation, aerial survey and instrumentation of captured animals. This is a joint project with ABS, and is funded in part by NOGAP.

Fi el d studi es on bel uga popul ati on differenti ati on, growth, reproducti on and energetics were conducted at two locations. No whales were available for examination at a third study site. Fifty-two beluga were sampled this year.

(3J Experimental cropping continued at Chitty Lake to stuQy population resilience of whitefish and lake trout. Keller Lake was test netted to evaluate recovery from cropping.

Field work on a two year lake ecosystem energetics stuQy at Keyhole Lake was completed. This study will be presented in a Masters thesis.

A study on the life history of narwhal was initiated. The prime objective is to elucidate narwhal population Qynamics; this will involve 3-5 years of field collections in the Eastern Arctic.

Work continued in the laboratory on analysis of samples and development of insights and methodology in respect to fish and marine mammal: - biochemical genetic stock identification and description; - lipid composition and metabolism; - heavy metals, subcellular distribution and metalloproteins; - detection and quantification of organochlorine contaminants; - use of beluga cell lines as a diagnostic tool.



Publications were completed on the following topics: - seals and sealing;

harp seal reproductive strategies; methodology of fish morphometric analysis; low-molecular weight metalloproteins in narwhal; relationship of Arctic ecosystems to isolated ecosystems in other parts of the worl d.

Conference presentations were made in respect to: - comparative fish and fisheries of the Mackenzie and Churchill Rivers; - characteristics of a cell line from beluga; - a serum albumin immunological and biochemical perspective on evolution of

odontocetes (subJect of a Masters thesi s) .

Northern Oil & Gas Action Program (NOGAP) Aeri a 1 photographi c and reconna i sance su rveys were flown for be 1 uga distribution/abundance in the southern Canadian Beaufort in July. Radiation and turbidity sensors were deployed concurrently.

Beluga and narwhal behavioural responses to ship passages through ice were monitored with underwater recording and by aerial survey and observation during four ship transits of Admiralty Inlet.

Biological and oceanographic sampling was executed at 71 stations on the '0... . Beaufort Shelf from May to September. Open-water work was supported by the MV ~'...: '" Sequel.

The program of basel i ne monitori ng of invertebrate popul ati ons in fi ord-type harbours of the Beaufort Coast was continued.

A trapnetting/gillnetting/shore-seining program was executed in the Phillips Bay area, to assess longshore migratory patterns of anadromous fish along the Yukon coast during open water.

Assessment of Arctic cod di stri buti on and abundance conti nued in the Barrow Strai t area, usi ng acousti c, under-water photographi c and netti ng techni ques. Large shoals were found under ice. Densities during ice-on and open-water regimes were generally higher than last year.

Support continued to be provided for the preparation of reports in the Department's "Arctic Data Compilation and Appraisal" series.

Radio-tagged broad whitefish were tracked by aircraft in the Mackenzie Delta/Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, and additional tags were applied.

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Collections for whitefish stock separation continued with activity in the Lower Mackenzie and Western delta. Thirty-four drainage basins in northwestern North Ameri ca have now been sampl ed. Bi ochemi cal i denti fi cati on of geneti c stocks continues in the laboratory.

A comprehensive program was executed to compare the basis of productivity in lakes of the Mackenzie Delta and Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. This includes isotopic analysis of fi sh and of fi sh food components, as a means to defi ni ng criti cal feeding habitats and energy pathways.

Preparations were made to establish a brood stock of whitefish, to provide material for assessing salinity tolerance as a factor in migration and the potential impact of oil on that tolerance.

Reports or publications were completed on: - Beaufort Sea Shelf oceanographic data, 1984-1985. - Identification/characterization of Arctic nearshore benthic habitats. - Arctic nearshore meiobenthos from oiled and unoiled sediments at Cape Hatt.

Energy Research & Development Program (PERD) An acoustic array was assembled, deployed and tested in Kugma11it Bay. Sounds from passing ships were recorded and a noise propagation test was conducted.

Undi sturbed narwhal vocal i zati on and behavi our were monitored for the thi rd season in Tremblay Sound, Baffin Island. Late ice break-up hampered activities.

Southern Operations Statutory 06 il gab ons were mai ntai ned to provi de reasonabl e assurance that fi sh and fish products produced for domestic and export trade consistently met Canadian and foreign country standards for health, quality and safety. Regulatory and sanitary standards were entered for commercial fishing vessel s, fish processing plants, landing sites and transport vehicles.

Field activities for departmental programs such as the Fishing Vessel Insurance Program, Fisheries Development and Small Craft Harbour Activities were carried out by Inspection staff to ensure program goals and objectives were being met.

27 vessel insurance policies with an insured value under the Fi shi ng Vessel Insurance Regul ati ons. $8,527 with 3 of 5 claims paid for $32,966.

of $610,425 were administered 1985/1986 premi urns totalled

A number of Fisheries Development projects were carried out in 1985/1986 namely: Production and primary processing of whitefish roe was started in Hay River in September 1985, with secondary processing completed at the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation plant in Winnipeg. Project to determine feasibility of establishing a herring roe fishery in Li verpool Bay area of Beaufort Sea was started in June - July 1985. Resul ts of 1985 work i ndi cated si ze of spawni ng stock i nsuffi ci ent to support a commercial fishery.

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Institute of Ocean Sciences (lOS) Hydrography

After leaving Sidney on July 6, en route to the Beaufort Sea, the J . P. Tully coll ected GEBCO soundi ngs, magnetometer readi ngs, bathythermograph salinity and conductivity measurements, especially throughout the Aleutian Islands. From late July to late August, the cruise party accumulated 20.605 km of launch soundings, 663 km of ship soundings, examined 59 shoals and collected 166 bottom sampl es over an 800 sq. km. area on the Mackenzi e Shelf. In addition, the vessel was deployed for a M.O.T. survey of the Coppermine dock approaches, an E.P.S. site characterization study (30 stations at two sites, 60 samples for biophysical grab sampling, soundings, side-scans and otter trawls) near Herschel Island and north of Tuktoyaktuk, and an Energy, Mines and Resources geophysical survey of the Herschel Island to Banks Island region. Homewardbound, the Tully continued with GEBCO soundings and other data collection, arriving back in Sidney on September 29.

Tides and Currents Using M.O.T. icebreaker support, the five permanent tide gauge installations at Tuktoyaktuk, Coppermine, Cambridge Bay, Spence Bay and Cape Parry were serviced in August. During the summer open-water season, and in support of the Tully hydrographic program, additional temporary gauges were installed and recovered off Tuktoyaktuk. Early in April and May, a preliminary aerial survey of Simpson Strait (King William Island) and Bellot Strait (Somerset Island) was conducted, and the final recovery of temporary tide gauges was accomplished in/near Nanson Sound, Isachsen, Mould Bay and Pond Inlet.

Northern Oil & Gas Action Program (Beaufort Sea Oceanographic Program) In September, a 10-person, multi-disciplinary team, onboard the A.T.L.'s Ivik, conducted CTD and geochemical profiling along three transects of the western edge of the Mackenzie Shelf. Samples were taken for nutrients, radium, tritium iculates and productivity. Hydrocarbon samples were collected using the Seastar pump and Sedi samp system. These new sampl es wi 11 al so be used for 1 aboratory methodology development. Overall, 50 stati ons were CTD profi 1 ed and a 1 esser number sampled for the full range of chemical constituents. Some additional work was done near the plume edge using acoustic profiling and CTD in tandem.

Energy Research & Development Program (PERD) In the study of the interaction of ocean currents and ice keels, the analysis of field data performed so far confirms the existence of hydraulically-controlled phenomena called "lee jumps", under a wide range of conditions. The data set, obtained from an ice keel in Barrow Strait, is suffi ci ently complete to all ow an accurate descri pti on of such phenomena under steac\y and unsteac\y oceanographic conditions. In addition, the 10m towing tank is now operational at lOS, and trial experimental runs were made to duplicate the field experiment. Flow visual izations using sheets of fluorescent dye has been successful, and trials have begun with the hYdrogen bubble tracer technique for revealing velocity fields.



During the summer months, the Beaufort Sea Ice Movement Project has concentrated on routi ne processi ng of the 1985 data at lOS. In September, a combi ned analysis of 1981 industrial (Dome Petroleum) and governmental current meter data from the Mackenzie Shelf was initiated. After the data files are transferred to the VAX-785 computer, the data are analyzed to elucidate relationships between atmospheric forcing and shelf currents on the regional Beaufort Sea scale, and between oceanic response and the degree of compactness of the ice cover. Similar analyses have alreaqy been performed on the Beaufort Sea Project data of 1974-1975. Two attempts were made in August using the J.P. Tully to recover the one 1985 mooring not retrieved in April. Although the moorlng was located by its underwater pinger, the acoustic release was non-functional, and recovery was not possible. A digital bathymetric database has been created for the southern Beaufort Sea, thus providing the best available bathymetry for modelling experiments and facilitating computerized map drawing for display of ocean data.

One of the WOTAN acoustic recorders (for predi cti ng ice breakup from ambi ent noise) and associated current meters deployed in Dolphin and Union Strait was recovered, and an attempt to recover the second one is now underway. The fi rst instrument yi el ded an excepti onally good time seri es record of the ice noise, with clear indications of thermal cracking in April and breakup-related sounds during July. Analysis of these data will be combined with simultaneous satellite and meteorological observations.

Arctic Data Compilation & Appraisal Program (ADCAP) As part of the Department's ADCAP, contractual work has begun on the revision/update of the Beaufort Sea catalogues on Beaufort Zoobenthos, Beaufort and Northwest Passage Physical Oceanography and Beaufort Plankton/Bacteria. These are scheduled for completion by March 1987.

Bedford Institute of Oceanography Physlcal Oceanography

Baffin Bay - A field program was carried out during the summer, 1986 using CSS Hudson in eastern and northern Baffi n Bay. Four current meter moori ngs were recovered in northern Baffin Bay and four new moorings were deployed along the Greenland continental slope for recovery in the summer of 1987. CTD and BATFISH surveys were conducted in eastern and northern Baffin Bay.

The data coll ected duri ng the 1986 crui se are bei ng processed. extensive quantity of BATFISH data that will take some time to processing. Interpretation of these and past data will continue.

There is an comp 1 ete the

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Arcti c Ice Moni tori ng System - Work under an unso 1 i ci ted proposal for the development of an arctic ice monitoring system (AIMS) is proceeding. This Seimac Limited (Bedford, N.S.) U.P. is supported by DFO at BIO, who also provide the scientific authority. The U.P. is for the development of an expendable system for the monitoring and transmission (via satellite) of weather and other data from an ice flow. The prototype instrument is to be tested in the spring of 1987 at Resolute, N.W.T. This will involve the installation of the device on the ice flow that is drifting through Parry Channel; information on ice velocity and the weather around the ice flow will be transmitted via satell ite. DFO staff will be involved in these tests.

N-ares Strait Expedition - With Canadian and American personnel aboard, the icebreaker CCGS Si r John Frankl in recently compl eted thi s hi gh 1 ati tude voyage in which the most northerly station was at 82°09'N just south of where Nares Strait opens into the Lincoln Sea. 142 CTD stations were occupied and much new bathymetric information was obtained from region where almost none had been collected before.

Chemical Oceanography Radionuclide Measurements in the Arctic - Water samples for Sesium-137, Cesium-134 and Technecium-99 analysis were collected in the West Greenland/East Greenland current system during 1986. Analysis of these samples is currently underway. No field work is planned for 1987.

PO) Biological Oceanography 0,_- Primary and secondary planktonic production processes - Using the shore based

facilities at Resolute Bay, members of the Region carried out an extensive field program at ice camps located in Resolute passage, during a two month period from early April until early June. At weekly intervals throughout this period detailed physical and biological 36 hr sampling series were carried out in order to investigate the interaction between the tidal currents and biological processes such as zooplankton verti cal di stri buti on and feedi ng acti vity and algal growth in the under-ice surface and erosion into the water column. Previous studies had suggested that nutrient flux from the water column might be important in controlling ice algal growth and a specially designed device using an array of heated thermistor probes was used to enable measurement of currents at the ice-water interface. Community development in both the ice and underlying water column were also studied throughout the spring period and these studies were extended to the open water season during July and August, by use of small boats. Throughout the season experiments were carri ed out to measure zooplankton feeding and metabolic rates, under a variety of experimental conditions, and algal photosynthetic and nutrient uptake rates.

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Sample and data analysis from the 1986 field season continues and will continue into 1987. Because of this data backlog the 1987 field season will be more restricted. It will concentrate firstly on obtaining biological samples during the June-July period which has not yet been adequately sampled and secondly on new instrumentation techniques, which are being developed. New instruments under development include devices for: i) areal surveillance of snow depth, ii) in situ measurement of algal biomass and vertical distribution in the ice, iii) in situ primary production measurements and, iv) a zooplankton multiple net system for studying vertical distribution under

the ice.

Members of the region also took part in an AGC cruise on the CSS Hudson in August and September of 1986. Areas visited included Wellington Channel, Barrow Strait, Austin Channel, Byam Martin Channel and Eastern Viscount Melville Sound. CTD and water sample profiles suggested that physical processes may have an important role in determining primary production levels in the different areas and it is hoped to confi rm and extend these and other observati ons in another cruise to this area in September 1987.

Effects of Hudson Bay outflow on the Labrador Shelf - A detailed temperature and salinity survey of Ungava Bay was undertaken during late September and early October 1986 on the CSS Hudson. Chlorophyll-a and nutrient data were also collected. The objectives of the program were to investigate the effects of tidal mixing on vertical stratification, nutrient distributions and primary production. A current meter and subsurface tide gauge array was deployed along the south coast of Hudson Strait off Wales Island. It has been designed to monitor the outflowing waters in the Strait which originate from Hudson Bay and Foxe Basin. The array will be recovered during October of 1987.

Arctic Ice Island - Two trips to the Ice Island camp (PSCP, DEMR) were carried out by two DFO sci enti sts from B 10 in May and August 1986, supported by an unsolicited proposal (UP) to Arctic Labs, Sidney, B.C. The distribution of organochlorines in atmosphere, snow, water, sediments, plankton and benthic fauna was determined to estimate the relative importance of input of contaminants by oceanic and atmospheric pathways. Measurements of residues in various size groups of plankton will indicate if bio-accumulation has occurred.

Navigational Charting Normally the Canadian Hydrographic Service has two survey parties working in the Arctic but this year (1986) it was reduced to one, from CSS Baffin. The Eastern Arctic Survey, which regularly works from Canadian Coast Guard vessels, had to be cancelled because of other commitments and a vessel could not be provided. Although Norwegian Bay, the highest priority area, could not be reached because of ice the Northweast Coast of Baffi n I sl and was surveyed. During the 2 1/2 month Arctic cruise, Baffin worked on three survey projects (as follows) .

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Northeast Coast Baffin Island - This project was a continuation of the coastal survey started in 1985. The survey was extended to the north as heavy ice prevented work to the south. Despite bad ice conditions and inclement weather, Baffin collected 7500 linear kilometres of depth profiles over an area of 1500 squa re mi 1 es.

Singer Inlet, Eastern Side Ungava Bay - This survey was at the request of the Makivik Corporation and Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) to establish the feasibility of relocating to Singer Inlet (Taqpangayuk) the Inuit population formerly living at Port Burwell (Killiniq) located 50 kilometres to the north. The bathymetric data is needed to determine if sea approaches and 1 andi ng/dock sites are suitable for the annual sea-l ift and for the fishing vessels operated by the Inuit. CSS Baffin spent one week surveying an approach corridor of 2.5 x 15 kilometres, and a large scale survey of the entire site. Unfortunately the survey reveals that this will not provide a very satisfactory harbour.

Salek B~, Labrador Coast - The refurbishment of the Early Warning Station has pl aced a requi rement for a 1 andi ng beach survey so that constructi on materi al s can be 1 anded safely. The request for a survey of the new jetty came from Les Constructi on du Sai nt-Laurent L tee who are responsi bl e for off-l oadi ng the materials. CSS Baffin utilized one day for a survey of the dock site.

B~field Laboratory of Marine Science & Surveys Hydrography

In co-operati on wi th the Department of Energy, Mi nes and Resources ongoi ng a Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP), the Bayfield Laboratory undertook hydrographic survey of COlll11ittee Bay in the spring months of 1986. Survey are conducted annually and are carried out over the ice using helicopters and conventi onal acousti c spot-soundi ng methods. Thi s data is contri buti ng to the charti ng of safe navi gab 1 e corri dors through Canadi an arctic waters and in further delineating a safe Northwest Passage. Surveys of this area of the Arctic (Gulf of Boothia) will resume in 1988.

Hydrographic Development In concert with this year's hydrographic survey in Committee B~, a development survey was undertaken to fi el d test new ai rborne soundi ng technology (Ai rborne Electromagnetic System). This system is known as (TIBS Through-the-Ice Bathymetry System) and has been under development by Geotech Ltd. as an Unsolicted Proposal with Bayfield Laboratory. Trials were taken in Foxe Basin, and in Committee Bay for comparison to the acoustic data. The system provides greater coverage and in much less time than with existing spot sounding methods. Because of the favourable results, the Region will be using the system for a production survey next year under contract with industry.



Tidal Propagation Stu~ Seven month long tidal records were collected and processed for the production of co-tidal charts of the Gulf of Boothia/Committee Bay areas. This information is used for sounding reductions in support of the hydrographic survey in the region and assists in the assessment of tidal propagation in the Arctic Archipelago.

As part of a national tidal instrument development project, the Region also field tested a prototype permanent gauging station at Little Cornwallis Island. Once completed and proven successful, the gauge will be used in locations that are specific to the design of the gauge across the Arctic.

Ice Radar A dedicated surface-based radar ice detection experiment (FIDEX) was carried out in June/July 1986 aboard Canarctic's MV Arctic as she proceeded through Lancaster Sound. Under a co-operative development project with industry and universities, new radar sensor equipment is being tested for the detection and classification of floating ice hazards. Follow-up experiments are now in the planning stage.

Quebec Region Oceanography Surveys In september 1985, the physlcal oceanography division of CCMS participated in a project in Ungava Bay in co-operation with BIO-MEL. The goal of the stu~ was to relate the biological activity and physical features of a tidal front.

In March - June 1986, CCMS was involved in a multi-disciplinary project in Southeastern Hudson Bay in co-operation with Laval and McGill University. The physical oceanography program consisted in the stu~ of:

the general water circulation between the Quebec coast and the Belcher Islands (DFO - Quebec). the transiti on between the wi nter and summer freshwater pl ume of the La Grande Riviere de la Baleine (McGill). the under-ice water dynamics (McGill). the wind regime over the ice (DFO - Quebec).

In biology the program consisted of: study the response of ice mi croal gae to nutri ent pul se induced by ti da 1 mixing. study the effect of temperature on the growth of ice in microalgae. study the importance of i ce-mi croal gae on the di et of zoopl ankton and arctic cod. study the factors which act as a trigger for the bloom under the ice during the break-up period.

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Arctic Biological Station

Northwest Territories - The Biological research program in upper Frobisher Bay, as its base of operation.

Oceanography section continued its using the Ikaluit Research Laboratory

Microbiology - Bacterial production in relation to other biological factors was measured on the undersurface of sea ice during the spring season. Predators of bacteria were indirectly observed at this time. Open water bacterial production was measured simultaneously with primary production under a variety of experimental conditions and the two processes related. Predators of bacteria were again observed indirectly.

Phytoplankton - Studies on species composition, distribution, standing stock, primary production rates and photosynthetic major end products were successfully completed during the winter and summer of 1986. Studies on the food sources of zooplanktonic herbivores and on the control of slime films by antifouling paints were carried out in collaboration with the zooplankton investigation and with a researcher from Royal Roads Military College, respectively.

Zoobenthos - No fi el d acti viti es were carri ed out in N.W. T. waters duri ng the present year.

Zooplankton - Fi el d work was carri ed out to study the verti cal di stri buti on of zooplankton. A study was completed on the sea ice fauna and under ice zooplankton of southeastern Hudson Bay and the influence of a seasonally variable river plume on their composition and biomass, as was another on the community structure of zooplankton of eastern Hudson Bay. Studies on the food and feeding of sea ice fauna and on the growth stages of ice-dwell ing copepods were continued.

PhYsiology - Fi el d work on osmoregul atory physi 01 ogy and seasonal changes in metabolism of selected sub-ice and benthic amphipods was completed. Studies on feedi ng energeti cs of speci es of pel agi c, sub- ice and benthic amphipods were conti nued. A project was begun to exami ne the toxi city of crude oi 1 to sUb-tidal mYsids and to determine the animals' behavioural response to dissolved and dispersed fractions of the oil.

Research on ringed seal breeding habitat was carried out in Barrow Strait from February to June 1986. This was the final year of a three year study attempting to relate distribution of birth lairs and seal behaviour to ice features. The work was funded largely by NOGAP.

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- Page 15

A sixth year of study on the behaviour of belugas was carried out at Cunningham Inlet, Somerset Island. Counts of belugas, both visual and photographic, were made from an ai rcraft and compared with counts made by observers at ground 1 evel. Factors affecti ng the accuracy of the counts such as the sea state and sun gl are, caused by surface refl ecti on, were eval uated. Support was provi ded by the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) and the Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP).

An historical study of the former abundance, distribution and exploitation of white whales in Lancaster Sound was submitted for publication. The work was funded by NOGAP.

A field party spent two months in Pond Inlet and Eclipse Sound, northern Baffin Island, collecting samples of hard tissues from narwhals. The funds for this age determination study were provided by NOGAP.

Northern Quebec Anadromous Fish - The portable weir tested in the fall of 1985 was improved by the addi ti on of an upstream and downstream trap. The wei r was erected on Sal mon Ri ver, 100 km north of Chi sasi bi (James Bay), and monitored continuously by 2 to 5 persons from the beginning of June to the end of September.

A meterorological station (Stevenson screen) was installed at Salmon River, to document daily temperature, rainfall and insulation. Physical characteristics such as bathymetry, water flow, temperature and sal inity were monitored at 6 stations in the watershed to investigate the influence of physical and climatic factors on fish activity.

Movements of fish (mostly arctic charr, brook charr and lake whitefish) in the Salmon River watershed were monitored between the coast, the outer channel, the lagoon, the weir and a small lake located approximately 6 km upstream. Additional data on growth, fecundity and diet of migrating fish were collected. Observati ons and coll ecti ons were al so carri ed out on potenti al prey (sticklebacks and juvenile sculpins) and predators (ducks and shorebirds). Information pertaining to brook charr will be used as the basis of a Master's thesis (Jean-Franyois Doyon, Macdonald College).

Explorato~ fishing - Coregonid larvae were sampled at the time of ice break-up in Great Whale River to verify their very early occurrence in the spring organic matter, drifti ng insect popul ati ons and mari ne zoopl ankton predators were al so monitored during the same period to examine the input of freshwater material to the surface waters of Hudson Bay and the potential impact on early larval fish survival.



Following an agreement with the Old Factory Band at Wemindji (James Bay), a 45 foot vessel was equipped with fishing gear belonging to the Arctic Biological Station. Preliminary trials of the gear were carried out at Wemindji during the month of September.

A study of inshore epibenthic decapod crustaceans ("shrimps") was continued at Killiniq (Port Burwell).

Cod otoliths from Killiniq were re-analyzed by DFO personel because of the inconsistencies of the results provided by the Makivik Corporation.

Biological collections were made from belugas killed by Inuit hunters in eastern Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait. These coll ections provi ded materi al for a study on the popul ati on dynami cs and energeti cs of Northern Quebec belugas, and on the physiology and growth of their epidermis.

Behavioural observations were also made on the much reduced Ungava Bay beluga herd at the Mucalic River.

Two historical studies on the initial stock size of belugas in eastern Hudson Bay, and in Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay were submitted for publication.

A paper was also published on sperm whale records in Ungava Bay.

{) Walrus studies, begun last year in Hudson Strait, were continued in 1986. -"- Catches of one boat from Salluit were sampled in September and October.

Hi stori cal data on the catch hi story of wal ruses in Northern Quebec were continued.

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B. HIGHLIGHTS OF ACTIVITIES SINCE LAST MEETING (ii). Capital Construction Planned, Commenced

Arctic Management Research Section Flsherles Research Branch lA-Base)

No new initiatives. Construction was completed on the region's 14 metre Arctic research vessel (FRV OGAC), with final trails and delivery scheduled for late October. It is planned to deploy the vessel to work in the eastern and central Arctic, commencing 1987.

Arctic Biological Station A 13 m f, sh, ng vessel wi 11 be needed for the excl usi ve use of the Fi sheri es investigation in the coming years to continue the study of the biology and producti on of mari ne fi sh stocks off the coasts of Northwestern Quebec. A temporary solution to this problem is the agreement with the Wemindji Band for the shared use of thei r fi shi ng vessel, but thi s agreement runs for two years only.

A 13 m fishing vessel, the Rosmarus, was purchased and outfitted for walrus research. It will be sailed up to Hudson Strait in the summer of 1987.

Approval has finally been obtained for replacement of the Calanus, now 39 years old. The new vessel will be somewhat larger (21-24m) and will be primarily for coastal oceanographic work in Northern Quebec.

N.W.I. Lo-oralna.lng Lomml •• ee on the Department of Fisheries & Ocean's


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Monitor wi nter commerci al fi shery on Great Sl ave Lake. Moni tor operati on of fuel/equipment haul on winter ice roads in the area. Conduct conservation education programs in schools. Continue liaison with community resource harvesting groups through meetings. Continue to provide fish resource information to negotiators on the Dene/Metis land claim.

Western Arctic There will be a continuation of ensuring that quotas are not exceeded and the promotion of the maximum utilization of the legal harvest of fish and marine mammal s. There wi 11 be an increase in the number of conservati on educati on presentations within schools of the area.

Eastern Arctic R. Allen is to spend two months assisting National Co-ordinator, Fishery Officer Career Program between January and Apri 1 1987. Di stri buti on of conservati on education material developed in co-operation with Wildlife Fund, to take place in Eastern Arctic. Conservation education program to train fishermen in test fishing/sampling techniques planned for Repulse Bay and Pangnirtung communities. Review status of Sylvia Grinnel River and analyse samples collected during summer season. Discussion with Hall Beach HTA re: walrus quota

(.<~ system. These discussions will also include Igloolik as both communities ,Y harvest the same stocks.

Arctic Resource Assessment Section Resource Impact 01vlslon

The Resource Impact Division has been active in several areas of the N.W.T. in an effort to obtain information on aquatic resources and the effects of current and proposed industrial activity on these resources.

During 1~84 the Nanisivik/Polaris Monitoring Project collected samples from seven marlne stations in the vicinity of the Nanisivik Mine and eight stations in waters bordering the Polaris Mine on Little Cornwallis Island. Samples of sediments, seaweeds and the clam Mya truncata were obtained from each station for use in assessing changes in trace metal concentrations relative to samples obtained from the same locations in 1981. The results from analysis of these samples will be utilized to assess the extent to which trace metal contaminants associated with the operation of these two mines are entering the marine system. A final report is scheduled for completion during 1986.

The Norman Well s Pi pel i ne Monitori ng Project conti nued sampl i ng duri ng the summer of 1986 at Hodgson and Whi tesand creeks located in the Wri gl ey area. Both streams were crossed by the pipeline during January/February, 1985. Preconstruction data on water quality, hydrology, fish utilization and habitat

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- Page 19 -

assessment were coll ected from the constructi on zone at each creek. A major storm event during 1986 resulted in significant alterations to the stream beds and pipeline crossing sites. Monitoring activities will continue until the crossing sites have been reconstructed.

A major trap netti ng operati on was carri ed out at Stokes Poi nt from June to September as part of the Yukon North Slope Resource Assessment Project. Thi s three year project will develop information on the significance of Yukon nearshore habitats to marine and anadromous fishes.

Studies of whitefish migration, spawning and overwintering habits will continue. Radio tagging will be conducted on the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula during summer. Tracking flights were made during fall and early winter.

Mackenzi e Shelf Habi tat Research fi el d work wi 11 conti nue through the next year. Biological, physical and chemical data are being collected from several offshore 1 ocati ons duri ng the open water peri od. Simi 1 arly, the nearshore benthic monitoring locations sampled during the winter were resampled during the summer. A number of reports from this study are now in draft form.

A joi ntly funded DFO/Department of Indi an Affai rs and Northern Development investigation into fish quality problems in the Fort Good Hope area is continuing. A report on parasitism is now available and another on chemical contaminants is in draft form. Additional fish samples were collected during October for further analyses. Comparative samples will be collected from the Slave River during the winter of 1986/87.

Fish & Marine Mammal Management Division (FMMMD) In general, most programs of FMMMD are of the monitoring and assessment nature, that is, moni tori ng bei ng a study of the ongoi ng fi sheri es whi 1 e assessment implies studying the biological status or stocks.

A si gnifi cant porti on of the next si x months or so wi 11 center around data analysis and report writing. However, the other major data activity, which can be referred to as phase one, is the review and planning. This whole exercise consists of program and budget review and specific harvest level and management plans (for species and stocks). Specific components are:

1. Regional Science Council (RSC) 2. Quarterly Progress Reviews 3. Work Plans 4. Performance Review and Appraisal Reports 5. Arctic Fisheries Science Advisory Committee (AFSAC)

Staff also spend a portion of their time with advisory/consultative meetings and/or committees with Hunter and Trapper Associations and other resource users and/or management agencies on matters pertaining to resource allocation.

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Arctic Management Research Section F1sher1es Research Branch (A-Base)

Continuation of laboratory activities, with analysis and evaluation of data and samples generated by field programs, for remainder of fiscal year. Ongoing research program thereafter.

Northern Oil & Gas Action Program (NOGAP) Analysis and reporting of results to date. Continuation of aspects of all three Regional NOGAP projects through 1987/88.

Energy Research & Development Program (PERD) Continued development of aerial remote sensing and acoustic monitoring systems for Arctic Marine Mammals. Analysis of existing data and observations. Assessment of the feasibility of using airborne forward-looking infra red (FLIR) to detect hauled-out seals in snow lairs in late winter/early spring in Barrow Strait.

Institute of Ocean Sciences (lOS) Northern 011 & Gas Act10n Program (Beaufort Sea Oceanography Project)

An ambitious program of productivity, sediment dynamics and chemistry will commence in late March 1987, with the deployment of sequential sediment traps and current meters through the ice and CTD/nutrient/chemistry sampl ing of one Kugmallit Bay transect (10 stations sampled three times in April-June). During the period August to September 1987, the J.P. Tully will be employed to service sediment traps, profile CTD along five transects (75 stations), deploy current meters in Herschel Canyon, collect Kugmallit Bay and Herschel Island area bottom sediments (traps, cores, etc.) for particle and hydrocarbon analysis, and conduct an acoustic survey of the river plume/salt wedge. The program will be interdisciplinary, involving scientists from various DFO and DEMR establishments.

Energy Research & Development Program (PERD) The Correlation Sonar Current Meter R&D project has developed the ice motion detection and monitoring package hardware and software. Limited tests completed to date i ndi cate sati sfactory operati ons. However, a test program wi 11 be conducted over the wi nter to provi de in situ ground truthi ng of the bottom mounted system. This test will include deployment and operation of the instrument in local waters before the full-scale deployment of the package through the sea ice of the Beaufort Sea in spring 1987.

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The Beaufort Sea Ice Movement Project, under contract, will implement software improvements for increases in the preci si on and sensi ti vi ty of computer-based ice-drift determinations from sequential AVHRR images, based on two-dimensional spatial cross-correlation of ice patterns. Planning is underwqy for a mesoscale current stu~ over the Mackenzie Shelf on board the Tully in summer 1987. This study, using seven or eight satellite-tracked drifters, is motivated by the need to gai n a better understandi ng and descri pti on of surface flow vari ati ons of scales of 5-50km which plqy havoc with short-term predictions of ice floe motions.

Hydrography & Tides & Currents No arctic surveys are planned in 1987 due to the dedication of the Tully to oceanographic programs. Servicing of permanent tide gauges throughout the Arctic will be conducted using aircraft logistics, during the summer period.

Scientific Information Services Data catalogues planned for publication in 1987 include the following: Sverdrup Basin Chemistry, Beaufort Plankton, Beaufort Zoobenthos, Beaufort Fishes, Beaufort Whales, Beaufort Seals, Beaufort Physical Oceanography (update), Northwest Passage Fishes, Northwest Passage Whales, Northwest Passage Seals.

Arctic Industrial Activities Compilation Program As part of the Department's Arctic Industrial Activities Compilation Program, catalogue and microcomputer database of historical drillwaste discharge in arctic waters is in preparation, jointly with Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Yellowknife. This catalogue will be the third in a series (in addition to Beaufort Marine Dredging and Arctic Island Exploration).

Bibliographic Microcomputer Database - A bibliographic microcomputer database of bibliophysical atlases, overviews and impact assessments will be ready for di stri buti on in December. Thi s database wi 11 permi t the qui ck search and sort of several hundred detailed atlas descriptions for the Beaufort Sea and Northwest Passage and several thousand of their supporting references.

Bedford Institute of Oceanography plans for 1987 lnclude a ShlP based field operation to recover the moorings on the Greenland slope and deploy an arrqy of 5 current meter moorings across Davis Strait to measure the transport and it's vari abi 1 i ty over a peri od of a few years.

A third trip, the final one supported by the UP, will be undertaken to the Ice Island in April 1987. The final sample collection will define the vertical distrubution of plankton and their organochlorine content under the ice cap. A time-series sediment trap, deployed in 1986 will be retrieved.

In 1987 we will concentrate our efforts on a route survey from Jones Sound to King Christian Island, Arnott Strait, Viscount Melville Sound and the coastal survey on Northeast Baffin Island.

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Bayfield Laboratory of Marine Sciences & Surveys In 1987 we will concentrate our efforts on a route survey from Jones Sound to King Christian Island, Arnott Strait, Viscount Melville Sound and the coastal survey on Northeast Baffin Island.

Hydrography The Regi on's regul ar hydrographi c program in the Arcti c wi 11 move further north to survey uncharted waters from an ice island off Ellsemere Island in the spring of 1987 as part of the Polar Continental Shelf Program of Energy, Mines and Resources.

The CHS survey of the Gulf of Boothi a/Commi ttee Bay area wi 11 resume the following year. However, a production survey of Pelly Bay at the south end of the Gulf of Boothia will take place in the spring of 1987 using the newly developed TIBS technology. The survey will be under contract to McElhanney Surveying and Engineering Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C. and Geotech Ltd. of Markham, Ontario.

In Hudson Bay, the Region is planning to extend the hYdrographic coverage of the east coast with a summer survey in 1987. Thi s wi 11 depend on the avai 1 abi 1 ity of a Canadi an Coast Guard shi p as shore-based surveys are no longer feasible or cost-effective. Surveys of coastal navigation routes provide for the safe access of supply vessels (i .e. oil tankersl to Inuit communities.

Tidal Program The Region will conduct a more detailed tidal survey of the Pelly Bay area in support of the contract survey in the sprl ng of 1987. Development of the permanent gauging station will be limited due to budget reductions in Energy, Mines and Resource's Energy R&D Program.

Ice Radar Plans are underway for further field trials of the surface-based radar ice detection and classification system in co-operation with other agencies aboard the MV Arctic in November 1986, and in the spring of 1987.

Preparations are also being made for a government, university and industry stuQy to field test four competing airborne ice-thickness technologies in the Arctic in the spring of 1987. The exact location has not yet been established.

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Arctic Biological Station Northwest lerrltorles - Microbiology - Field work in Frobisher Bay will include direct measurement of bacterial incorporation of extrusion products from phytoplankton. Predation studies of bacteriovores will be extended since this is the link for carbon and energy transfer between bacterial biomass and higher trophic levels.

Zooplankton - Spring field work will provide data on the feeding of arctic cod under the ice of Frobisher Bay. Work will continue on the seasonal and diurnal vertical movements of zooplankton, on the feeding of sea ice meiofauna and under-i ce and open-water zoopl ankton as well as on the developmental stages of certain copepods living at least part of their life cycle in the sea ice.

P~siology - Studies on the feeding energetics of selected species of amphipods and on the behavioural responses of mysids to crude oil will continue in Frobi sher Bay.

Marine Mammal and fisheries staff will: - Prepare a thesis on the ringed seal population study in Barrow Strait, N.W.T.

Conti nue coll aborati ve research with the Norsk Pol ari nstitutt, Sval bard, on ringed seal behaviour and bioenergetics. Compl ete a bull etin on the ri nged seal of the western Arctic and several papers on the behaviour of belugas at Cunningham Inlet.

Assess the precision of aerial survey counts of belugas in large concentrations at Cunningham Inlet, Somerset Island, N.W.T. Complete a studY, supported by the World Wildlife Fund, on the deposition of hard tissues in arctic cetaceans. Prepare one or more papers on the results of the 1984 NOGAP studY of bowhead behaviour and feeding in northern Baffin Island.

Northern Quebec - Anadromous fish - Continue the operation of the weir in Salmon River for the next two years, with the addition of sampling stations in lakes further inland. The continuation of this project is subject to the approval of the Crees.

Obtain data on fish tagged in Salmon River, but recaptured in other rivers of eastern James Bay, by the setting up of a reward system publicized in local communities.

Obtain biological information and catch data on arctic and sea-run brook charrs captured by natives in Seal River (Eastern James Bay).



Provide information on the Salmon River stuQy to the native population of Chisasibi.

Investi gate the possi bi 1 ity of research on juveni le fi sh producti on in the coastal area near Koroc River (Ungava Bay).

Exploratory fishing - Continue the sampling of coregonid fish larvae in Great Whale River for a second year.

Sample the marine fish populations of James Bay from the vessel provided by the Wemindji Band during summer 1987.

Obtain basic bathymetric information for James Bay, and localize potentially productive fishing grounds.

Identify target fish species for commercial exploitation in James Bay and study their biology. Some of this information will be part of a Master's thesis.

Continue collection of walrus specimens in western Hudson Strait and carry out a reconnaissance of walrus haul-out sites from a small vessel.

Continue a historical study on the early distribution, population levels and catch histo~ of Northern Quebec walruses.

() Continue collection of beluga specimens in eastern Hudson Bay, especially at the Nastapoka River, and in Hudson Strait.

The Biological Oceanography section will also arrange for the installation of two trailers at Salluit, or some other community in Northern Quebec, to serve as a marine ecology laboratory and living quarters.

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D. POLICY INITIATIVES

Central & Arctic General: In December 1984, the Task Force on Northern Conservation recommended that DFO assume its legitimate responsibilities for Arctic Marine Conservation. The former Mi ni ster, Mr. Fraser, accepted the recommendati on and named Aimee Lefebvre-Angl i n as the responsi bl e ADM. DFO' s responsi bi 1 ity for the development of an Arctic Marine Conservation Strategy, through a public consultation process, was re-affirmed by Cabinet in January 1986 as part of the overall sovereignty issue. To facilitate the development of the Strategy, a DFO Project Team and Steering Committee were established in July 1985.

The Project Team has completed initial consultations with about 80 organizations or agencies, including Native groups, non-government organizations, educational i nstituti ons, industry and federal /provi nci al /territori al government departments. Feedback from these consultations, as well as public reaction, to this initiative has been very positive and supportive.

A "consensus bui 1 di ng" workshop, with representation from these organi zati ons, was held on September 30 - October 2 in Yellowknife to develop an initial draft Arctic Marine Conservation Strategy and an action plan for the implementation of the strategy. The workshop recommendations and draft Arctic Marine Conservation Strategy wi 11 be used as the basi s for more formal consul tati ons to ensure that the final strategy reflects, to the degree possible, the interests of those who use or whose activities may impact upon the Arctic marine environment. It is anticipated that the Minister will make recommendations to Cabinet with respect to the Strategy and its implementation in March 1987.

Linkages have been established to ensure co-ordination with a number of related initiatives such as Northern Land Use Planning, DIAND's proposed development of an Arcti c Pol icy, the development of northern conservati on strategi es by the Government of the N.W.T. and Yukon Territorial Government, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference's (ICC) work on an Arcti c Mari ne Pol icy, comprehensi ve northern Native land claims/settlements, and Department of the Environment's Marine Parks Policy and proposed Northern Conservation approach.

Also, the Central and Arctic Region is undertaking the development of a clear, comprehensive and detailed Arctic fisheries policy which would provide the framework for making operational decisions and for subsequent analysis and development of programs. A framework paper and several discussion papers are bei ng prepared as background. It is intended to hol d di scussi ons, and a possible workshop, with clients by 30 April 1987.

Field Services



Western Arctic Organization of the Great Bear Lake Management Committee has taken place. A management plan for the lake is in preparation with input from resource users, DFO and Government of the N.W.T. There is agreement in principle by both governments, to quickly evolve this committee into a management (decision making) body.

DFO is actively involved in implementation of the land claims settlement in the Western Arctic through the Fisheries Joint Management Committee.

Management of the Cumberland Sound Beluga stocks is being addressed by ongoing surveys and stock assessment, as well as through a Beluga Working Group comprised of DFO and representatives from Pangnirtung and Frobisher Bay Hunters and Trappers Associations.


The DFO National Fish Habitat Management Policy will be released by the Department in October 1986.

Fish & Marine Mammal Management Division (FMMMD) In conjunction with other sections, committees have been struck to deal with management plans for Great Bear Lake, beluga whale in South East Baffin and the Beaufort Sea, and a policy for Aquaculture in the N.W.T.

Institute of Ocean Sciences (lOS) lOS conbnues 1n 1tS 1nvolvement with the development of the national Arctic Mari ne Conservati on Stratgy (DFO), oi l-based dri 11 mud di scharge in mari ne waters guidelines (COGLA), and drill mud diesel lubrication position (Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development).

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~E. OPPORTUNITIES FOR CO-ORDINATION


A joint project with Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Government of the N.W.T. (Department of Tourism) was conducted during July and August 1986 on monitoring pressure by itinerant sport fishermen on the East Arm Great Slave Lake. Similar program is being planned for 1987 at Tree River.

Western Arctic Government of the N.W.T. Department of Renewable Resources, Economic Development, Local Government on test fi shi ng, enforcement, licencing, data collection, sampling techniques, conservation education, information on legislation and policies.

Eastern Arctic Government of the N.W.T., Ontario & Manitoba Ministrv of Natural Resources -various departments on test fisheries, enforcement, licencing, data collection and conservation education. R.C.M.P.- data collection, training, enforcement, licencing. Department of Indian Affairs & Northern Development - land use, pollutants, Environmental Protection Service - environmental issues. Customsfish imports, CITES. DFO/Quebec Region - enforcement, fish inspection, conservation education. Various political groups such as Keewatin Wildlife Federation, Baffin Regional Council, T.F.N., Baffin Regional Inuit Association, etc. Various resource user groups - Hunters & Trappers Associations, sportsmen groups, etc. Industry & business - various.


Limited at present.

Fish & Marine Mammal Management Division (FMMMD) Many of the programs are carried out jointly with various sections of DFO-Central and Arcti c Regi on. In additi ons, some acti viti es and programs such Aquaculture Policy, Great Bear Lake Management and Test Fisheries are co-ordi nated wi th Renewable Resources, Touri sm and Economi c Development departments of GNWT.

Arctic Management Research Section Flsherles Research Branch (A-Base)

The Sci ence I nstitute of the Northwest Terri tori es is advi sed annually of activities. Research results are communicated to appropriate federal, territorial and international resource managers and resource users to facilitate the management and protection of fish and marine mammals in the Canadian Arctic.

Northern Oil & Gas Action Program (NOGAP) Work under NOGAP is geared to ensure a state of hydrocarbon producti on and ensui ng transport. government-wide profile.

preparedness for Arctic offshore This preparedness will have a

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NOGAP projects being executed by the Region are complementary to NOGAP projects in other sectors of the Department, and also in other Departments (notably Department of Indi an Affai rs and Northern Development and Government of the N.W.T.).

Energy Research & Development Program (PERD) Aspects of this work are pursued in close liaison with the oil and gas industry.

Institute of Ocean Sciences (lOS) Northern 011 & Gas ACtl0n Program (NOGAP)

The NOGAP Oceanographic Program is integrated to some degree with the objecti ves of the Freshwater Institute's NOGAP Fi sh Habitat Program (neari ng completion), and is co-ordinated with the Geological Survey of Canada NOGAP Program of Beaufort sediment dynamics.

Energy Research & Development Prograsm (PERD) The Beaufort Sea Ice Motion Program is pursued in close liaison with the oil and gas industry, the Atmospheric Environment Service and the NOGAP Program described above.

Scientific Information Services The environmental advisory and data management services of lOS are provided to federal, terri tori al, native and international agencies, compani es and individuals to facilitate the management and protection of fish and marine mammals in the Canadian arctic, and the safety and efficiency of offshore industrial activities.

Bayfield Laboratory of Marine Science & Surveys All of the programs and proJects conducted ln the Arctic from the Bayfiel d Laboratory rely extensively on inter-agency co-operation and would not be pass i bl e otherwi se. Further coll aborati on is bei ng encouraged on an ongoi ng basis whenever possible.

Quebec Region Oceanography Surveys CCMS lS alreadY lnvolved ln research projects with the local universities. It is expected that this co-operation will be pursued over the years. However, one of the major problems we encountered in the studies in Hudson Bay was the lack of support from PCSP in this area even if it is considered as part of the N.W.T. marine waters. It would be greatly appreciated if PCSP could extend it's support to these regions especially in terms of helicopter time. This could really help the realization of our future projects in Hudson Bay.

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Arctic Biological Station The Arctlc Blologlcal Station is alreaQy collaborating with the Freshwater Institute in its study of ringed seal ecology in Barrow Strait. Future collaboration is foreseen in a study of the walrus population in western Hudson Strait which is exploited by Inuit from the Northwest Territories and Northern Quebec.

Within the Quebec Region, the ABS Biological Oceanography program will be integrated with the program at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute. A new program will be developed in Northern Quebec •

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f'lshenes .1ndDcea[1S

Peches etOcer-

-') -------5-( ~ItSO,.,Cn.T~-1M2~19~86rt:r1'f--4\ NR-HQ-85-72E ~ LIBRARY ~~.'

News Release Communique

FOR DMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, September 24, 1986 ~~~~

FISHERiES AND OCEANS MINISTER ANNOUNCES MAJOR INITIATIVES

OTTAWA -- Fisheries and Oceans Minister Tom ·Siddon announced today a series of initiatives including: o the staff reductions required by the May 19£5 Budget and

reallocations to meet priorities; o

o

an integrated science program which will be better focussed and more relevant to the needs of industry; administrative improvements to regional operations.

To meet the Budget's staff reduction requirements and to reinforce priority initiatives, Mr. Siddon announced a reduction of 312 person-years in 1987-88 in the Department's six regions across the

country. With the addition of 89 person-years for priority areas. the net reduction is 4 per cent or 223 person-years. Last February, the

Minister announced a 23 per cent reduction in Headquarters staff for 1985-87; this resulted in a reduction of approximately 200 person

years. The Department's total reduction target is 579 person-years to be achieved over several years.

"The 1987-88 reduct ions focus on improved vessel operat ions

and the consoli dati on of regi onal support and admi ni strat ion services," said Mr. Siddon. ""!his will provide most of the savings required to achieve staff reduction targets. This streaml ining .and

improvement. of some regional operations will not affect vital services to the fisheries and oceans industries. In fact, these services wi 11 be improved."

The Minister said that every effort will be made to minimize hardship on those employees who are now occupying positions that are decl ared surplas..

- 2 -

-. "The staff reductions will be achieved with tne utmost

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.. ) regard for the human impact," said t~e ~liniSter. "Last February, I

made a commitment that every effort would be made to help the

individuals affected at Headquarters find alternate employment.

Almost all of these employees have been placed. Today I make the same

commitment to regional employees and I hope similar results will be

realized." ,

"Affected employees will continue to be ernpl{)yed for silt

months at full salary. If not successful in obtaining alternate

employment, they will be given priority consideration for gover1neat

jobs for an additional 12 months," said Mr. Siddon. "A Redeplo~t

Counselling .Service is now in pl ace in each region to assist then_

They will receive the full range of benefits available under the

Workforc;e Actjustment Policy."

Mr. Siddon said that the Department's fisheries research and

oceans science programs were being consolidated as announced in

February, 1986.

"The science organizational and resource changes will

unify and strengthen the Department's sci ence effort," s aid Mr.

Siddon. "This will ensure that scientific efforts better support the

Department's mandate and that the world-class quality of DFO's science

program is mai nt ai ned."

"These changes will allow the Department to reallocat.e

resources to issues of high priority," said the Minister. "For

example, we will now be able to devote more resources to improve our

understanding of fish migratory patterns. This information will be of

very practical use to the fishing industry and to resource managers."

·Some resources. are being redire.ctedto. establish a new science component in St. John's. Newfoundland .and expand the Gulf

Region's science effort," said the Minister.·Scotia-Fund,ywill

retain the Department's largest sci.entificprQ,gram. The Pacific

Region wi 11 have two Centres of Di scipl inar.,Y Expertise."

National Centres of Disciplinary Expertise are being created

across the country in exi.sting departmental establ ishments to ensure

that work on critical research issues is to be focussed.

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The Centres of Disciplinary Expertise are: •

Northwest Atl antic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundl and -- Atl antic Resource Assessment and Survey f1'!thodo 1 ogyCent reo

j

Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia--Biological Oceanography; Marine Contaminants and Toxicology.

Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Ste. Fl avie~ Quebec -Paras ito logy.

Freshwater Institute. Winnipeg, Manitoba and Bayfield Laboratory, Burlington. Ontario -- Freshwater Fisheries Cont ani nants.

Pacific Biological Station, NMaimo,B.C. & West Vancouver Laboratory, West Vancouver, B.C. -- Genetics and Bi otechno logy for Aquac u lture.

Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, B.C. -- Ocean Cl imate Chemistry Research.

In order to improve industry input into science priority setting, private sector committees will be established to advise the Department on its program emphasis.

The Minister also announced that to increase the effectiveness of regional operations, he is reallocating some 89 per~on-years to priority areas. These areas are surveillance and enforcement~ the fish inspection program, the Salmonid Enhancement Progri!lll (SEP). habitat management, ac id rai n research and man agernent information systeas.

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AI announced a new international fisheries policy in June 1986," said the Minister. "In that policy is a commitment to protect Canada's fisheries resources. Through increasing resources for surveillance and enforcement, I am meeting that commitment. The other priority areas all reflect my commitment to fulfilling my mandate based on the needsj of the industries we serve."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Headquarters

Peter Meyboom Deputy Minister Fi sheri es and Oceans 200 Kent ~treet Ottawa. Ontario KlAlE6 (613) 993-2200

Regional Offices

('."\ Pat Olamut' <'.1 Regi onal Di rector General

Pacific Region VanCDlNer. S.C. (604) 666-6098

Je'an-Eudes Hache Regional Director General Scotia-Fundy Region Hal ifax, N.S. (902) 426-2581

Paul Sutherl and RegiDnal Director General Central and Arctic Region Wi nnipeg, Manitoba (204) 949-5117

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Louis Tousignant A/Associate Deputy Minister Fisheries and Oceans 200 Kent Street Ottawa, Ontario KlA OE6 (613) 993-2400

Denis Martin Regional Director General Quebec Reg i on Quebe c. Quebec (418) 648-4014

Ted Gaudet A/Regional Director General Gulf Region Moncton. N. 8. (506) 857-7752

Eric Dunne Regional Director General Newfoundland Region St. Joh n' s. Newfoundand (409) 772-4417

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Fisheries and Oceans

Peches et Oceans

Backgrounder Documentation

SUMMARY OF INITIATIVES

. The overall organizational and resource changes will:

support the government's broad goals of reducing expenditures and increasing administrative efficiency bring regional operations into line with the streamlined departmental structure (consolidation of regions, integration of science effort, a unified Department) be implemented with utmost regard for the human impact

In particular, the announced reductions:

are regionally balanced (see Table 1 attached); - focus on support and administrative functions rather than

reducing vital services to the industry; and increase the efficiency of· ships operations where applicable.

THE INITIATIVES

Policy Initiatives (see Table 2 attached)

• The reallocation of some 89 person-years beginning in the next fiscal year (1987-88) to strengthen or consolidate such priority areas as surveillance and enforcement. fish inspection. the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP). habitat management. acid rain research and management information systems. These are areas of great importance to the fisheries and oceans industries. and~o 'mproved management of operations.

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Science Integration

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Fisheries research and oceans science programs will be consolidated to improve their focus and the way in which the needs of the industry are served. The integration of fisheries and oceanographic science programs will provide more 'cost-effective and coordinated research with new emphasis being placed on high priority science issues.

To eliminate duplication and better align scientific activities to priorities, they are being organized along disciplinary lines -- biological science. physical and chemical science, and hydrography.

National Centres of Disciplinary Expertise are being established in existing departmental facilities to ensure that there will be specialized teams with sufficient

"

resources to address critical long-term research issues.

The initial Centres of Discipl inary Expertise ,are:

- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre. St.John's. Newfoundland -- Atlantic Resource Assessment and Survey Methodology Centre. Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth. Nova Scoti a -Biological Oceanograph~

.- I •

·Marine Contaminants and"Toxicology, ;.. Maurke Lamontagne Institute,Ste.' Fl avie, ~ebec -

Paras i to logy_ - Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba and Bayfield

Laboratory. Burl i ngton, . Ontari 0 -- Freshwater Fi sheri es Contaminants_

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Pacific Biological Station, ,Nanaimo. B.C. & West Vancouver Laboratory, West Vancouver, B.C. -- Genetics and Bi otechno logy for Aquaculture. Institute of Ocean Sciences. Sidney. B.C. -- Ocean Climate Chemistry Resean:tt.

In addition. resources are being reallocated from lower priority to higher priority areas.

By redirecting. some of the Department's·current resources, oceanography and hydrography components will be established in St. John's. Newfoundland. For the first time, the Newfoundland Region will have a full range of science programs. Research on cod and crab will be increased as will parasite studies and fisheries ecology. The creation of this new capability responds directly to expressed requirements of the fishing industry and other private sector interests. This will be the lead region for cod research.

The Scotia-Fundy Region retains the largest scientific organization in the Department. There will be an integration of all biological research programs into a consolidated Biological Science Branch. In addition, there will be a consolidation of groups doing cont1ll1inant research at various sites in the Scotia-Fundy Region. This consol idation will create a strengthened Atlantic Oceanographic Laboratory at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, N.S. This will be the lead region for lobster research. The St. Andrews Biological Station will continue to playa key role in biological research •

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The Gulf Region, which incl~des parts of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edwarq Island, will have a strengthened resource assessment program for marine fish, crab and lobster and will be the lead region on the Atlantic for crab research. A capability for shellfish aquaculture rese~ch will also be established.

The Maurice Lamontagne Institute, the world-class fisheries and oceans sci ence i nst i tute now bei ngconstructed at Ste. Fl avie, Quebec, will be dedicated to new priorities. This Institute will house a Centre of Disciplinary Expertise on parasitology, will also take the lead in research on Gulf of St. Lawrence redfish, and will be the lead region on the Atlantic for shrimp and mackerel research. The physical oceanography program will be increased substantially with a geographic mandate including the Gulf of St. Lawrence and waters adjacent to northern Quebec.

In the newly-formed Central and Arctic Region, resources will be directed to an ~xpanded Arctic research program which better e~ables the Department to meet its commitment to conserve and develop Arctic fisheries resources. As one cohesive unit, this region will be better able to coordinate programs of freshwater science and respond to needs that may be identified during the development of agreements with the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Th i s region wi 11 al so house a Centre of Di sci pl i nary Expertise for freshwater fisheries contaminants.

The Pacific Region will have two Centres of Disciplinary Expertise -- one dedicated to genetics and biotechnology. for aquaculture and one dedicated to chemistry-based cl imate research. Increased emphasis will be placed on meeting the

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requirements of the Canada/U.S. Salmon Treaty and gaining a better understanding of the'mortality rates for salmon in the marine environment. Scientists at the Pacific Biological Station and the Institute of Ocean Sciences will collaborate in studying recruitment mechanisms for salmon.

These'organizational changes will enable the scientific sector of the Department to provide a more strategically appropriate science base for fisheries and habitat management, the ocean industry and the needs of other departments.

The overall objective is to ensure that these scientific efforts better support the Department's mandate and that the world-class quality of DFO's science program is maintained.

Improvements to Management Structure

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To enhance the delivery of departmental programs and facilitate the resolution of program issues, DFO's four science and seven fisheries regions have been consolidated into six fisheries and oceans regions. Each is headed by a Regional Director General (RDG)responsible for the delivery of all departmental programs within the region.

Each region is organized into ·three streams of activities: fisheries and habitat management, science. and support services.

The del ivery of fisheries rel ated programs will continue through a network of area offices located in key fisheries centres.

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Traditional support and administration services (e.g.

finance, planning, personne~, assets management) are being

conso1 idated within each region. This consolidation will

generate most of the savings required to achieve staff

reduction targets.

St aff Ch anlJes

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•

The reducti ons focus on vessel operati ons and support and

administrative functions.

Necessary reductions wi 11 be achieved with the utmost regard

for the hllllan impact.

-The Department must reduce its nLlIlber of person-years by 579 by 1990-91. Priority areas which require additional

resources wi 11 be funded internally.

Of the 579 person~years, 213 have already been eliminated,

mostly from a Headquarters contingent of 873. In 1987-88, the regions will be reduced by 312 person-years. Because

89 person-years will be reallocated to new initiatives~ the

net reduction will be 223 person-years.

Employees occupying positions that are declared surplus will

be given six months at full salary to find alternate

employment. If unsuccessfiJl, a'furtlter 12 month staffing

priority will apply. Redeployment Centres have been set up

in the Regions to assist employees_

The attached tables provide a regioni'll breakdown of the

forthcoming staff changes_

Newfoundl and

Scot i a-Fundy

Gulf

Quebec

Cent ra l-Arct i c

Pacific

Other and Ottawa

TABLE 1

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SU~RY OF STAFF CHANGES BY REGION, 1987-88 (PERSON-YEARS)

Reducti ansI New

Initiatives

-35 + 9

-110 + 14

- 21 + 7

- 17 + 3

- 33 + 21

-109 + 24

+ 142 +11

tal -312 + 89

Net Chance

- 27

- 96

- 14

- 14

- 12

- 85

+ 25

-223

1 All the reductions (except for vessel manning reductions) were allocated among the regions on a pro-rata b.asis and took into account additional savings achieved by

_ office consolidations; the vessel manning reductions were established on the basis of () a ship-by-ship review. "'-' These PYs wi 11 be used to assist in the managffilent of the staff changes or wi 11 be

re-allocated to new initiatives following a detailed review of departmental resource requi rffilents in 1 ate 1985.

TABLE 2

STAFF CHANGES FOR NEW INITIATIVES, (PERSON-YEARS)

1987-88

Surveillance Salmonid Habitat Acid & Enforcement InsE!ection Enhancement Management Rain Other Total

Newfoundl and 4 4 1 9

Scotia'-Fund,Y 7 4 3 14

Gulf '2 5 7

Quebec 1 2 3

Central-Arctic 9 7 5 21

Pacific 4 20 24

CJadqUarters 2 5 1 3 11

T 0 t:a 1 15 23 20 17 11 3 89

FIsheries and Oceans

Peches et Oceans

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CENTRAL AND ARCTIC REGION

ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW

The Central and Arctic Region has more lakes and streams than any other cDllParable area ~n the world. Covering 5.9 million square kilometres of 1 and, 511,000 square kilometres of fresh water and 100,000 kilometres of coastline, this region contains more than 60 per cent of Canada's land area, freshwater area and coastline. Geographically, it covers the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario and the Northwest Territories. • The extremes in geography, demographics and fish and marine mammal species in this region. are reflected in the diversity of mandates and responsibilities in the different provinces and territories involved. In the Northwest and Yukon Territories and Arctic Ocean, the department exercises both legislative jurisdiction and property rights over the management of fisheries resources. In Ontario and the three prairie provinces, the federal government has delegated certain of its management prerogatives to the provincial governments. However, the federal government maintains a constitutional responsibil ity for the regul ation,

I protection and conservation of these fisheries. The Central and Arctic t'~ Region also has responsibilities associated with international agreements 'J for the Great Lakes and is responsible for hydrographic programs in the

Great Lakes, navigable inland waters, and the Central Arctic.

Organization

The region will contain a single science organization dealing with fisheries research, freshwater fi sheri es cont_ami nants, ac id rai nand hydrography. The organization calls for upgrading Inspection Services, particularly in Ontario; establishing a senior Fisheries Operations Manager's office in Burlington; and increasing its ability to deal with fish habitat, acid rain, and aquatic contaminants issues throughout the region and nationally. In addition, headquarters for Small Craft Harbours management for the region will be located in Burlington, Ontario.

The hydrography and fisheries' research programs at Burl ington wi 11 be integrated with the-fisheries research programs at the-Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg under one Regional Director of- Science located in Winnipeg. There will continue to be directors of specific scientific laboratories in Winnipeg and Burl ington.TheCentral and Arctic Region will be the llliUor departmental centre for Arctic fisheries research, freshwater research and surveys, and freshwater contaminants research. The region wi 11 strengthen its scientific capabilities in the Arctic and will be th_e department's centre of disciplinary expertise for freshwater fisheries contaminants •

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The region wi 11 streaml ine the management of the Inspection Program and enhance the operations of the program by adding resources. Major district

. offices are being established in southwestern Ontario, Toronto, Winnipeg, Prince Albert and Edmonton. The district managers will report directly to the Director of Inspection. Seven additional person-years will be added to the Ontario Import Program. In addition, a Centre of Sensory Science Expertise will be established at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, in cooperation with the University of Manitoba, in order to establish university~leve1 training for evaluation officers in the Inspection Branch.

Staff Changes

The reductions in staff for 1987/88 will be achieved by consolidating the regional headquarters in Winnipeg; el iminating the two Director-'General offices in Burlington; and eliminating duplications in finance, support and administration, and economics services. In addition, there will be minor reductions in ·technical services and in the provision of specialized scientific advice. The Sea Lamprey Control Centre in Sault-Ste-Marie. which is responsible for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission's Sea Lamprey Control Program, will be more closely integrated within the Fisheries Operations Programs. Savings will be accomplished by consolidating finance, administration, and some technical support. The program's effectiveness will be maintained.

The equivalent of"33 person-years will be eliminated, primarily in Winnipeg ~ and Burl ington. Fourteen of the positions wi] 1 come from the improved ( . ..1 efficiency of operating a single region. Finance, support and

administration, and economics services will be reduced by 16 per cent and science support programs by 1 per cent. Fisheries operations, small craft. harbours and inspection programs will not be reduced.

With the 33 person-year reduction and the 21 person-year addition for new initiatives, the net reduction for 1987-88 is 12 person-years, leaving 564 person-years in the region.

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"", .• Fishelles and Oceans

Peches elOceans

Backgrounder Documentation !

PAC IFIC REGION

OR&tiNIZATION AND ACCruNTABIUTY REVIEW

j

The Pacific Region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is responsible for the management, protection and enhancement of the Pacific marine fisheries and the inland fisheries of the Yukon Territory.

The Pacific Region also conducts research in fisheries and oceanographic science, carries out hydrographic surveys and:provides navigational charts, maintains safety and quality of fishproducts.by inspecting fish processing plants, and operates harbours for corrmercial fishing vessels and recreational boating.

British Columbia and the Yukon Territory have IJU)re than 25,000 km of coastline. British Col umbi a has 105 main river systems that incl ude the Fraser, Thompson, Skeena and Nass. The Yukon River has five main tributaries.

There are 70 speci.es of fish in B.C. waters. the most economically important of which are the five Pacific salmon species: chinook, coho, sockeye, pink and chum, which have 5,000 stocks that spawn in 1,200 rivers and streams. Marine species such as hake, halibut, sablefish and herring also provide valuable harvests.

Organization

The Pacific region is highly decentralized. with. 47 establishments. The main fishery management centres are in Vancouver .. New Westminster, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and Whitehorse, with district and sub-district offices through!lut the province.

Staff responsible for fish proceSSing and plant inspection . are headquartered in Burnaby", with services also located near the main provincial fish processing centres.

Biological science is .concentrated at the Pacific Bi ological Station (PBS) in Nanaimo. Physical .and chemical sciences involved in oceanography and hydrography are centred at the Institute of Ocean Sciences (lOS) at Sidney •

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To improve the focus of the region's science effort, all fisheries research and oceanographic science programs have been conso1 idated under one Regional Director of Science. This will improve DFO's capability to predict salmon stock abundance, high seas survival and migratory patterns.

Other science initiatives include the establishment of two Centres for Disciplinary Excellence, at the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IDS) at Patricia Bay and one at the West Vancouver laboratory, part of the Pacific Bi ological Station (PBS).

, 4

At lOS. the world class expertise of the ocean chemistry division will be recognized. This group specializes in studyin~ the interaction between oceans and the atmosphere to determine how oceans affect global carbon dioxide balance.

At West Vancouver. the international reputation of work in aquaculture, genetics and biotechnology is being recognized. A core group specializes in nutrition and genetic manipulation of fish to improve growth rates and suitability as farm fish animals. This work has Significance for the aquaculture industry in B.C.

Scientists at IDS and PBS will collaborate in studying recruitment mechanisms for salmon.

DFO's Pacific fleet management will be centred in Sidney to provide more efficient operation of research and patrol vessels.

',-) Staff Changes

Regional reductions have been selected carefully to improve administrative efficiency'and avoid adverse effects on operational programs in science, fisheries and habitat management and sa1monid enhancement. The centralization of support and administration activities associated with integration of fisheries and oceans elements into a single program in the region has created substantial savings in personnel.

The majority of the person-year reductions (38) occur in Vancouver. There are 29 in Sidney and 17 in Nanaimo. The remaining 25 reductions are from throughout tlle region.

'To reduce resource needs and supervisory layers, a single Management Services Branch (MSB) will be established in Vancouver to serve all regional programs.

A single Personnel Branch will be consolidated in Vancouver. It will be respons;blefor regional c1 assification and organization services, staff relations. training and develoJJllent and affirmative action. Satellite personnel offices will be established to provide necessary local services at lOS and PBS.

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EXisting ship management groups in Vancouver and at IDS will be consolidated into a single Ship Division Management Unit located in Sidney. Similarly, existing shore fac'ilities located at New Westminster

. and IDS will be integrated to create a single repair and overhaul facility located at lOS.

To upgrade the priority of the inspection program at the regional level, the Director will report to the Regional Director General. Four additional person-years will be provided for the inspection program to meet workload increases.

With the 109 person-year reduction and the 24 person-year addition for new initiatives, the net reduction for 1987-88 is 85 person-years, leaving 1,554 person-years in the region.

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Peches et Oceans

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QUEBEC REGION


. I The Quebec Region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for the regulation, protection, conservation and enhancement of all fisheries resources in an area including the Magdalen Islands, Anticosti Island and the area of the Gulf of St. Lawrence fished by Quebec-based commercial fishermen. The Quebec Region also jointly manages some.Gulf of St. Lawrence fisheries with the Gulf Region.

The Quebec Region covers over 2,000 miles (3,250 km) of coastline and provides services to over 7,500 fishermen working on more than 3.000 fishing boats. There are also some 80 seafood processing plants ;n the region.

Organization

The regional administration head office is located in Quebec City. There are four area offices. These are located in Gaspe, Sept-Iles, Cap-aux-Meules (M.l.) and Longueuil. There are also eight district offices, located in the following municipalities: Grande-Riviere, Baie-Comeau, Riviere-au-Renard, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Bonaventure, Blanc-Sablon, Grande-Entree and Quebec City.

The OFO scfentific research facilities in Quebec are located at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute in Sainte-Flavie, the Arctic Biological Station at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and the Fisheries Ecology Research Centre in Rimouski which will soon be moved to the Maurice .LamontAgne Institute.

Fisheries research and oceans science have been integrated into three new directorates: biological sciences, physical and chemical sciences. and hydrography. The biological sciences directorate will consist of three divisions - fisheries research, biolDgical OCeanD9raph'y andfish habitat.

The Maurice Lamontagne Institute. the world-class fisheries and oceans science institute now being constructed at Sainte-Flavie, Quebec, will be dedicated to new priorities. This Institute will bouse a Centre of . Oi scipl inary Expertise on parasitology. wi.1l also take the lead lnresearch on Gulf of St. Lawrenceredfish. and will.be the lead on the Atlantic for shrimp and mackerel research. The physical oceanography program will be increased substantially with a ge.ographic mandate including theSulf of St. Lawrence and waters adj acent to northemQuebec. The person-year levels established for the Institute will.be maintained.

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Two new person-years will be provided for the acid rain research program •

. The region has pl aced responsibil ity for harbours and fisheries infrastructure under one directorate. lhe combining of these functions serves to strengthen all of the various activities associated with harbours, wharves and off-loading facilities, and provides better utilization of resources and provision of more effective service to clients. This new directorate will be relocated to the Maurice Lamontagne Institute to be Floser to the areas it s~s.

The region is streamlining management to improve effectiveness. A new position of Director, Financial Services.and Operational Planning has been created. A new position of Director. Management Services, has also been created. This position will be responsible for the regional fleet as well as for administration.

The Inspection Service will now be under the responsibility of a new Director of Inspection reporting to the Regional Director General. To enhance its operation, one new person-year will be added to the inspection branch.

Staff Changes

To meet the 198.7-88 staff reduction requirenents, the Quebec Region staff will be reduced by 17 person-years, mostly through streamlining support and administrative services. CO) .

"<., With the 17 person-year reduction and the 3 person-year addition for new in1tiat1ves, the net decrease for 198.7-8B is 14 person~years, leaving 459 person-years in the region.


Peches elOceans


GULF REGION

ORGAIIZATIOH AND ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW

The Gulf Region qf the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was established in 1981 to provide a more decentralized managenent regime for the fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Gulf of St. Lawrence constitutes a single ecological and socia-economic complex, where managenent considerations and operational. procedures frequently differ from the other fisheries of the Atl antic Coast.

-The principal objectives of the region in conjunction with the Quebec Region are more effective management of the fisheries resources of the Gulf. and increased participation in policy formation and decision-making by those involved in the industry. Themanagement of the Gulf fisheries is provided through surveillance. enforcenent, and research capability.

'The Gulf Region encompasses the provinces of Prince Edward Island and the headwater areas of all rivers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and fiewfoundland, which flow into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It also includes the Gulf of St. La~ence to the northern extremity of the Strait of Belle Isle.

Organization

Gulf Region headquarters are located in Moncton, New Brunswick. has four area offices. They are in Tracadie, N.B.; Antigonish, Charlottetown, P.E.I.; and Corner Brook, Nfld.

The region N.S.;

1he Gulf Region Science Branch is now organized so that all finfish {pe'agics. groundfishand anadromous) research will be combined in one division, all invertebrates in another and habitat and salmon enhancenent research in a third division. There will be significant increases in the r~ion's research capability on commercially important species, i.e., cod, othergroundfish and herring; lobster and crab research will be increased; an aquaculture research capabil ity on shellfish will be established; and work on regional research issues relating to f·ish parasites will be initiated. The four Gulf Region salmon hatcheries will not be affected by these i nit i at i ves.

With respect to fisheries managenent, there will be resources redirected to enhance the region's surveillance and enforcenent capabilities. As well the Gulf Region's capabil ity in fish habitat management and research wi] 1 increase next year by five additional person-years.

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Staff Changes

A total of 21 person-years will be eliminated in 1987-88. For the most part, the reduction will be achieved by streamlining in the administration and program support areas. There will be some minor reductions in both the

. technical and operational categories.

With the addition of 7 person-years for new initiatives, the net reduction for 1987/88 isjl.4 person-years. Four other person-years will be transferred into the Gulf Region for science activities, making for a total of 524 person-years in the region.

Flshenes and Oceans

Peches et Oceans


SCOTIA-fUNDY REGION


The Scotia-Fundy Region has a coastline of 1,584 kilometres extending'from Cape North to the Canada-U.S. border. The area of sea consists of about 430,000 square kilometres within Canada's 200-mile fishing zone. 'The land boundary follows the 1 ine dividing the headwaters of rivers flowing into the Gulf of St. Lawrence from those runni ng into the Atl antic Ocean and the Bay of Fundy encompassing large portions of the provinces of Nova' Scoti a and New Brunswi ck.

The Scot i a-Fundy Regi on carri es out the Department's mandate for a wide range of activities including fisheries management, research and development, oceanograhi c research, hydrograph i c survey; ng and chart iR9, and the administration of small craft harbours. The Department exercises jurisdiction over the management of fisheries resources, including their regul ation, protection and conservation. Th,e region provides research and development support for a growing aquaculture industry in cooperation with the provinces. The region is responsible for conducting research on fish stocks and the habitat and ecosystem supporting them and for providing the scientific advice necessary to establish allowable catches antl to manage the fisheries. In addition, the oceanographic and hydrographic programs support the broader needs of transportat ion, energy, defence (soverei gnty) and commercial activity within the region and northwest Atlantic in conjunction with other regions. .

Organization

The Scotia-Fundy science program includes the department's scientific activities at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BID) at Dartmouth, the Halifax Fisheries Laboratory and St. Andre.s. creating the liIrgest regional scientific unit in the Department. This untt, operating out of ttle three locations, will continue tD have responsibility for national pro9rillls as well as a regional focus operating under one 'Regional 'Director of Science. The act iviti es of the Fi sheri es Research Branch, fllarine Ecology laboratory and the Atlantic Oceanographic Laboratory lire being l"estructured to create two branches, one in biological sciences, 'tile other in physical/chemical sciences. Contaminant chemistry and toxid"ogyprograms will be centrally, managed through the Chemical Division Df the 'Atlantic 'Oceanographic Laboratory. The Hydrographic Directorate"" be maintained.

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Cent res of Di sci pl i nary Expert ise in Biol{)gi cal Oceanography and Mari ne Contaminants and Toxicology are slateq for BID with a national and Atlantic-wide responsibility to ensure the long-range development of these

. sciences. Three positions are also provided to enhance the regional capability in the field of acid rain.

The region will streamline the management of the inspection program and enhance its operation by adding resources. Four additional person-years will be added to the inspection branch.

f

The Fisheries Operations Branch will also be streamlined under one Regional Di rector of Fi sheri es· and Habitatlilanagement who will al so assume responsibilities for the fishery development program. Seven additional person-years wi 11 be added to the offshore survei 11 ance program i.n order to reinforce Canada's c.apability in preventing overfishing.

Staff Changes

Reductions in staff for 1987-88 will be achieved by consolidating the regional headquarters, eliminating one Director-General's office in Hal if ax/Dartmouth, and el iminating dupl ications and improving the efficiency in finance, support and administration, and other. consolidated services. In addition, there will be minor reductions in technical services, the provision of specialized scientific advice and the conversion of a number of technical support and ships crewing positions from full-time to seasonal.

() The equivalent of 110 person-years will be el iminated in 1987-88 in the support and administration area and in vessel operations. After accounting for the 14 new person-years cited above for acid rain, inspection and fisheries surveillance initiatives. the net reduction will be 96 personyears. Furthermore, 36 science positions will be transferred to other regions, leavin!l 1,392 person-years in the region.

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Peches et Oceans

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BackgroundecDocumentation

NEWFOUNDLAND REGION


The Newfoundland Region encompasses some 900,000 square kilometres of ocean. The region is responsible for the regulation, protection, conservation and enhancement of all fisheries resources extending from St. Pierre Bank to the Davis Strait. In addition to Fisheries and Habitat Management and Science, the region has responsibil ity for administration of variDus types of marine facilities used by the commercial fishing industry in over 400 harbours within the province. Enforcement of the Fish Inspection Act in all processing plants throughout the province is also the r~sponsibility of the region.

Drglllli zation

The Newfoundland Region is now fully integrated with a full science program including hydrography and oceanography. In addition to new science programs in oceanography and hydrography, research activities in cod and crab assessment and fisheries ecolo!lY are being strengthened. A Centre of Di scipl i nary Expertise i nAHant i c resource asses sment and survey methodology is being established.

The region has placed responsibility for harbours and fisheries infrastructure under one directorate. The combining of these functions serves to strengthen all of the various activities associated with harbours, wharves and off-loading facilities, and provides better utilization of resources and provision of more effective service to clil!nt5.

The department is investing resources to modernize enforcement and research ships which will result in some person-year savings. At the same time, this will ensure efficient operations of these very important support platforms for enforcement and scientific functions.

New initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen the region's enforcement and surveillance efforts to protect the fisheries resource. ,Additional resources are being assigned to increase the region's ability to deal with fish habitat and acid rain responsibilities.

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Staff Changes

The staff reductions in 1987-88 will be achieved by streamlining regional administration and support activities and by real igning operations to provide effective service in peak periods. Thirteen positions at the area

. offices and six at regional headquarters will become seasonal. Retirenents, cancellations of tenn positions and the non-filling of vacant positions realize a further savings of twelve person~years at regional headquarters. /''odernization of ships' operations will result in a savings of thi rteen person-years. .

With the 36 person-year reduction and the 9 person-year addition for new initiatives, the net reduction for 1987-88 is 27 person-years. After accounting for the transfer of 32 new science person-years to the region, there wi 11 be 781 person-years in the Newfoundl and Regi on in 1987-88.

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