Use and Management of Big Eddy Marine Region
October, 2006

Big Eddy Scientific Symposium, May 2004

SYMPOSIUM ON THE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BIG EDDY
Tofino, British Columbia
October 11-13, 2006

Big Eddy Symposium II Update - December 8, 2006

The second Big Eddy symposium brought together Canadian and US managers, stakeholders, and decision-makers of marine uses including fishing (recreational and commercial), research, oil spill response, recreation and tourism.

The approximately 100 participants, with diverse backgrounds, interests and responsibilities in the Big Eddy region, were united by one common interest:  the long-term health and sustainable use of the Big Eddy marine ecosystem. 

Participants confirmed that international cooperation in research, education and management of Big Eddy is both needed and desired, demonstrating strong support for all of the various levels of government to come together to better manage Big Eddy. 

Goals of the symposium were to:

• gain an understanding of the current and historical use and management of the Big Eddy ecosystem;
• share information about projects and initiatives in the area;
• share information and perspectives about transboundary marine issues in the area;
• build broad support and momentum for international cooperation. 

Check back in the new year to order or download the symposium proceedings.

Download Draft Agenda pdf or View Draft Agenda in HTML

View symposium details (venue, registration, accomodation, etc) in HTML

Partial list of organizations and agencies that participated:

British Columbia Integrated Land Management Bureau, Marine Planning Office

British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Oceans and Marine Fisheries Division

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Comox Strathcona Regional District

DJ Dobell Consulting

Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Huu-ay-aht First Nation

Living Oceans Society

Mac's Oyster's

Makah Tribe

Ministry of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources, Offshore Oil and Gas Division

NOAA Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

Ocean Renewable Energy Group

Olympic Coast Alliance

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Orca Network

Pacific Marine Conservation Council

Parks Canada, Pacific Rim National Park

Quileute Indian Tribe

University Alaska Fairbanks

University of British Columbia, Fisheries Centre

University of Victoria, Centre for Global Studies

University of Washington, Olympic National Resources Center

US Coast Guard, Sector Seattle, Incident Management Division

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Uu-a-thluck

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

West Coast Vancouver Island Aquatic Management Board

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Values of Big Eddy pdf

International Marine Ecosystem Management pdf

Big Eddy International Scientific Symposium pdf

BIG EDDY SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
May, 2004

The first significant step for this project was a scientific symposium that brought together the prominent scientists working in the Big Eddy region.

In a two-day symposium in Sidney, British Columbia, we:

• exchanged and shared scientific information with a focus on the interconnections and linkages between ecosystem components (cross-border and cross-sector information sharing)
• raised scientific awareness of the values of this region;
• enhanced the linkages between current scientific inquiry and ecosystem management;
• raised awareness of the First Nations/Tribal traditional values of this region; and
• fostered international cooperation. Read the symposium proceedings.

Download Symposium proceedings

Moving forward...

We are continuing to work with our partners, communities, elected officials, First Nations, Tribes and stakeholders to build awareness and support for the initiative and to encourage cooperation and coordination between efforts in management and conservation.

We are meeting with many interest groups to seek their guidance and direction for a second international symposium focused on resource values and ecosystem-based management of the Big Eddy region to ensure that the symposium will meet the needs of the communities.