Canada’s scientific research and collaboration to protect endangered whales
Ottawa, Mar 12 (IBNS): Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard on March 8 announced that Canada would be providing $2.9 million in funding to three Canadian universities for scientific research on conservation of endangered whale populations, media reports said.
University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University and the Université du Québec à Montréal would be receiving funding from the partnership of Whale Science for Tomorrow initiative (WSTI), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (FAOC) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.
“The Government of Canada is committed to the protection and recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale, the North Atlantic Right Whale and the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga. Our investment today in science and research...will advance our knowledge and find more solutions to the challenges facing these whales,” said Wilkinson.
Many whale populations face multiple threats, such as vessel collisions, a scarcity of prey, underwater noise, marine debris and other ocean contaminants.
A number of programs under the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan and the $167 million Whales Initiative support the conservation and recovery of endangered marine mammals, including the Southern Resident Killer Whale, North Atlantic Right Whale and St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga.
Three research projects which will receive investments under the Whale Science for Tomorrow initiative will encompass a range of activities:
“The researchers we are celebrating today will collect crucial data to help us...ensure we make the right decisions to protect Canada’s species and the environment surrounding them,” said Kirsty Duncan, Federal Minister of Science and Sport
“NSERC is pleased to collaborate with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to advance research and development in Canadian universities to protect our endangered marine mammals and to train future researchers in this field. Congratulations to all recipients. We are proud to be a part of this partnership, which is helping to preserve the remarkable nature that Canada has to offer,” said Dr. Marc Fortin, Vice-President of Research Partnerships, NCERC.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Image Credit: Jonathan Wilkinson/Facebook Kristy Duncan (left)/Twitter Dr Mark Fortin/Twitter
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