Maritime Awards Society of Canada

Climate change is affecting the biogeochemistry of the ocean. The ocean serves as a sink for large quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide, but this ecosystem service comes at a price: the dissolution of carbon dioxide acidifies seawater, which affects the ability of marine organisms to form calcareous shells and skeletons. Efforts to manage both the causes and effects of acidification are beginning. For example, the Center for Biological Diversity and Environmental Protection Agency recently reached a settlement on using the Clean Water Act to address ocean acidification. This is one of the tools that may help ocean and coastal managers respond to the potentially devastating impacts of climate change on the marine environment.

Panelists representing the scientific, nongovernmental, federal, and regulated communities will address the litigation, legislation, and research being undertaken and developed to address these changing ocean conditions:

Panelists:

Dr. Nancy Knowlton, Sant Chair for Marine Science, Smithsonian Institution
William Snape, Senior Counsel, Center for Biological Diversity
Christine Ruf, Senior Policy Analyst, Watersheds Branch, US Environmental Protection Agency

Witness the public launch of live data from NEPTUNE Canada’s deep-sea instruments and sensors, and learn how it will shape public policy.

David H. Turpin, PhD, FRSC President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Victoria invites you to join us online via webcast www.neptunecanada.ca Tuesday, December 8, 2009 | 10 a.m. –11 a.m. PST or join the event in person Auditorium B150, Bob Wright Centre, University of Victoria (Map and parking info—Lot #1)

NEPTUNE Canada has completed installation in the Pacific Ocean of 800 kilometres of powered fibre-optic cable, five observatory nodes at key scientific sites, and over 200 instruments and sensors…(to depths of nearly 3000 metres). NEPTUNE Canada will help us better understand natural hazards, resources, ocean/climate change, ecosystems, tectonic activity and much more. NEPTUNE Canada acknowledges support and funding from the Government of Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and CANARIE, and from the Government of British Columbia through the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund.

Sharks of the San Juan Islands

5:30 pm | Tuesday December 8, 2009
Camp Orkila Larry Norman Lodge
Orcas Island, Washington

Marine Science Lecture Series

Ever wonder what we have for sharks in our waters? Now is the time to find out! On Tuesday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. Gene Helfman will give a free public lecture entitled “Sharks of the San Juan Islands” for the Orcas Island Marine Lecture Series’ Family Night. Dr. Helfman is a fulltime resident of Lopez Island, having retired after 30 years on the faculty at the University of Georgia. YMCA Camp Orkila will host a free dinner at the Larry Norman Lodge and their staff will provide shark-related children’s educational activities, so bring the family.

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