Rosaline Canessa

Spatial Information Infrastructure for Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management in Canada

Access to current, comprehensive, and reliable spatial information is necessary for informed decision making in integrated coastal and ocean management. This need is being met through development of a marine spatial information infrastructure that encompasses both technological and institutional responses. This article traces Canadas experience in developing a marine spatial information infrastructure over the last 30 years starting with the compilation of coastal atlases, through the development of geographic information systems, to remote data acquisition instruments and Web mapping portals. Because of the plethora of initiatives, it has been essential to be selected and limit the number and choice of examples. The institutional response has lagged behind that of technological innovation and hinges on understanding users’ needs and decision support drivers, sustainability of institutional and individual champions, and, above all, cooperation and collaboration among the broad community of practice.

Estimating discharge rates of oily wastes and deterrence based on aerial surveillance data collected in western Canadian marine waters.

Illegal discharge of waste oil from ships is a major source of mortality for seabirds globally. Using linear and log-linear regression, we explored the relationship between detection rates of marine oily discharges and surveillance effort at different time scales, based on data collected in the Canadian Pacific Ocean by the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) from 1997 to 2006. We introduce an approach for quantifying reductions in discharge rates with increased surveillance while controlling appropriately for surveillance effort, as standard linear correction for effort can introduce considerable bias. Despite low probabilities of detection (0.088-1.1%), we found evidence for reduced discharge rates with increasing surveillance effort for data summarized monthly and bimonthly in region A, which is closest to the NASP base airport. Using residuals derived from the best-fit log-linear models, we found detected discharge rates declined annually (-[0.070 spills/month]×year).

Spatial and Temporal Changes in Access Rights to Shellfish Resources in British Columbia

Over the past decade, the shellfish and finfish aquaculture industry has expanded rapidly in coastal British Columbia (BC) Canada. Foreshore and nearshore shellfish and finfish aquaculture leaseholds are sited in close proximity or in direct competition with habitat for wild shellfish. As a result, some wild shellfish harvesters believe shellfish farms are significantly reducing access to beaches and estuarine areas for wild harvesting, or that salmon farms are contaminating wild shellfish stocks. In this article, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to analyze spatial and temporal trends in the growth of shellfish and finfish aquaculture tenures in BC, while interviews with stakeholders in coastal communities are used to explore user conflicts and the implications of changing access rights on the distribution of marine resources. Qualitative and quantitative findings suggest that shellfish aquaculture provides significant economic opportunities for coastal communities, but that such development may hold increased risk of spatial conflicts over marine habitat as the aquaculture industry continues to grow.

A hypertext tutor for teaching principles and techniques of GIS

Abstract This paper describes the design and evaluation of a hypertext‐based digital tutor to assist in teaching concepts and techniques of geographic information systems (GIS) and to help students learn how to apply GIS concepts using commercially available software. The paper outlines the teaching environment that led us to conceive the digital tutor, explains the design and prototyping, introduces the tutors capabilities, and shares insights gained from using this innovative teaching aid and from evaluating students’ and instructors’ responses over a two‐term period.

Understanding Recreational Boater Attitudes to Zoning in a Proposed Marine Protected Area

Although the success of marine protected areas (MPAs) and associated zoning schemes is largely dependent on stakeholder acceptance and support, there have been relatively few studies examining the response of recreational stakeholders to MPA proposals. This study investigates the response of recreational boaters to a proposed MPA in British Columbia, Canada. Using a structured questionnaire (n = 543) and a focus group (n = 6), the research examines the level of support for the concept of marine zoning and identifies key factors influencing support or opposition. Results indicate that a small majority of recreational boaters support the concept of marine zoning, but that there are areas of concern that ought to be addressed as MPA implementation proceeds. Support for zoning was strongly related to perceived benefits, particularly environmental benefits. Furthermore, perceived benefits overall were found to outweigh concerns as determinants of recreational boater support for zoning. Major dimensions of opposition included perceptions of over-regulation, loss of access for boating, and mistrust of the government. A suggestion is that such concerns may be mitigated through focused communication and meaningful involvement of boaters in the zoning process.

Exploratory spatial data analysis to support maritime search and rescue planning

Managers are often expected to analyze, report, plan, and make decisions using data that are aggregated to administrative areas historically delineated for other purposes. This enforced aggregation may misinterpret true patterns or complexities underlying the data, hindering recognition and communication of potentially important insights. The result may well provide misleading information on which to base decisions. Spatial data analysis tools are available that could allow managers to analyze and aggregate data more meaningfully and effectively for decision-making and planning, while still allowing them to report to the standard administrative units. These spatial analytical tools would be of importance to managers who are using data to prevent, plan for, or mitigate risk-related events.

Towards A GIS-Based Methodology for Marine Protected Area Zoning

In response to concerns of ad hoc approaches, site selection algorithms, such as Marxan, are being used to systematically and scientifically recommend sites for marine reserves. Similar challenges have been faced when siting zones (which aim to protect key habitats while permitting various uses) within broader Marine Protected Areas (MPA). This research explores Marxan as a decision support tool for MPA zoning. It aims to answer two questions: Can the use of Marxan be streamlined, thereby removing some of the guesswork associated with its use? and How can zoning configurations be developed to incorporate large amounts of data and stakeholder opinions while being transparent, repeatable, and scientific? This chapter reports on experimentation with various Marxan settings using the Southern Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada as a study area as well as interviews conducted with zoning practitioners, in the context of developing Marxan as a decision support tool for MPA zoning.

Modeling the distribution of illicit oily discharges detected by aerial surveillance in western Canadian marine waters

Oily discharges from vessel operations have been documented in Canadas Pacific region by the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) since the early 1990s. We explored a number of regression methods to explain the distribution and counts per grid cell of oily discharges detected from 1998 to 2007 using independent predictor variables, while trying to address the large number of zeros present in the data. Best-fit models indicate that discharges are generally concentrated close to shore typically in association with small harbours, and with major commercial and tourist centers. Oily discharges were also concentrated in Barkley Sound and at the entrance of Juan de Fuca Strait. The identification of important factors associated with discharge patterns, and predicting discharge rates in areas with surveillance effort can be used to inform future surveillance. Model output can also be used as inputs for risk models for existing conditions and as baseline for future scenarios.

Visualizing Our Options for Coastal Places: Exploring Realistic Immersive Geovisualizations as Tools for Inclusive Approaches to Coastal Planning and Management

Effective coastal planning is inclusive and incorporates the variety of user needs, values and interests associated with coastal environments. Realistic, immersive geographic visualizations, i.e., geovisualizations, can serve as potentially powerful tools for facilitating such planning because they can provide diverse groups with vivid understandings of how they would feel about certain management outcomes or impacts if transpired in real places. However, the majority of studies in this area have focused on terrestrial environments, and research on applications of such tools in the coastal and marine contexts is in its infancy. The current study aims to advance such research by examining the potential a land-to-sea geovisualization has to serve as a tool for inclusive coastal planning efforts. The research uses Sidney Spit Park (BC, Canada) as a study site, and a realistic, dynamic geovisualization of the park was developed (using Unity3D) that allows users to interact with and navigate it through the first-person perspective. Management scenarios were developed based on discussions with Parks Canada, and these scenarios included fencing around vegetation areas, positioning of mooring buoys, and management of dog activity within the park. Scenarios were built into the geovisualization in a manner that allows users to toggle different options. Focus groups were then assembled, involving residents of the Capital Regional District (BC, Canada), and participants explored and provided feedback on the scenarios. Findings from the study demonstrate the geovisualization’s usefulness for assessing certain qualities of scenarios, such as aesthetics and functionality of fencing options and potential viewshed impacts associated with different mooring boat locations. In addition, the study found that incorporating navigability into the geovisualization proved to be valuable for understanding scenarios that hold implications for the marine environment due to user ability to cross the land-sea interface and experience underwater places. Furthermore, this research demonstrated that building scenarios within a realistic geovisualization required modelling place-based characteristics (including soundscape) as well as spatial properties. This approach can allow users the ability to more comprehensively assess scenarios and consider potential options.

The Grand Challenges in Researching Marine Noise Pollution from Vessels: A Horizon Scan for 2017

Chronic anthropogenic underwater noise, such as vessel noise, is now recognized as a world-wide problem. Marine noise from vessels, ranging from super tankers to small motorboats is increasingly recognized as being both a persistent and pervasive pollutant. Furthermore, due to its spatial and temporal variability, vessel noise pollution represents a particular challenge for marine conservation, management and planning. This paper presents the outputs of a horizon scanning exercise that brought together a group of 40 individuals from across Canada, including: researchers, policy makers, NGOs and other end-users who work in the field of marine acoustics. The goal was to identify priority information needs, related to marine vessel acoustics, to inform new research and address policy needs. Via an iterative Delphi style process, participants identified ten priority research questions related to marine vessel acoustic science; for example, How important is it to identify and maintain acoustic refugia? What attributes of marine vessels are the most effective indicators of marine noise? The questions were then further considered in terms of extent of current knowledge, time scale by which they can be achieved, the financial resources required and the importance of answering the question. Subsequently, the authors conducted a search of the peer-reviewed literature to situate the challenges highlighted by the horizon scanning exercise within the broader global research. Results show that investigating the attributes of marine vessels that are the most effective indicators of marine noise is a viable research question to tackle first. In addition, underpinning many of these questions is the need of long-term data collection and monitoring of both vessel traffic and marine mammal populations.