A major national conference on coastal zone management is being held in Prince Edward Island from July 25 to 29. The conference, the 2010 Coastal Zone Canada and Youth Forum, is expected to attract some 500 delegates. The conference, which is being hosted by the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the Coastal Zone Canada Association, was announced today Minister Neil LeClair.
The theme of the conference is Healthy Oceans, Strong Coastal Communities.
“It is most fitting that this conference is being held in Prince Edward Island. Surrounded as we are by water, our diverse coastline extends over 1100 kilometers,” said Minister LeClair. “As a government, we recognize the importance of protecting our coastal and marine resources, the aquatic species that are part of them and the people who earn their livelihoods in our coastal communities.”
Minister LeClair said the tragic destruction now taking place in the United States Gulf coast underlines the utmost importance of protecting marine resources.
The youth forum part of the conference will provide interested young people with the opportunity to learn more about coastal zone issues.
Grant Gardiner, president of the Coastal Zone Canada Association, said he is very pleased the bi-annual conference is being held in Prince Edward Island. ”We look forward to a productive and stimulating program in a spectacular setting,” he said.
The conference features a number of keynote speakers. Alana Mitchell, author of the international best selling book, Sea Sick: the Global Ocean in Crisis, will discuss the science of ocean change. Former Prince Edward Island Member of Parliament David MacDonald, who is currently organizing the first parliamentary forum on the health and future of oceans to be held this fall in Ottawa, will discuss the state of Canada’s coasts and oceans. Dr. Tony Charles, a professor in management science and environmental studies at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, will talk about ways to strengthen coastal communities. Colleen Mercer Clark, a coastal ecologist, and Jean-Paul Arsenault, who was executive director of the Commission on Land and Local Governance, will lead a discussion on coastal policy planning for Prince Edward Island.
“This conference will give us a much better understanding and appreciation of issues related to coastal zone management,“ said Minister LeClair. “It will also give us a deeper insight into the issues we are facing here in Prince Edward Island.”
Those interested in learning more about the conference, or to register, can go to www.gov.pe.ca/czc2010.