Government of Canada invests in oil spill research at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre
News release
May 1, 2019 - St. Andrews, New Brunswick – Keeping our oceans clean, safe and healthy for current and future generations is a top priority for the Government of Canada. That is why we are making significant investments, under the Oceans Protection Plan, to help protect our coasts and prevent spills from happening.
The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, along with the Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, Karen Ludwig, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing $2.4 million in scientific research and supporting approximately 25 jobs at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre.
With this investment, the Centre will study how spill response measures, such as the use of dispersant chemicals, affect fish and other aquatic species of interest. The goal of the project is to ensure the use of effective response measures, without harming ocean life in the event of a spill. This project will add to the growing body of scientific knowledge about Canada’s spill response, and will ensure that first responders have the best available information while making decisions.
Funding for this project is from the Multi-Partner Research Initiative. This fund supports a variety of research projects on alternative response measures for oil spills. It is aimed at building partnerships among the leading researchers across Canada and around the world. These collaborative efforts will improve our knowledge of how oil spills behave, how best to contain them and clean them up, and how to minimize their environmental impacts.
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Quotes
“Having the best available science is the key to respond effectively to marine incidents, including oil spills. Gaining a better understanding of the effects on our aquatic species will help us make the right decisions when it comes to clean-up measures and keep our oceans and our coasts clean, healthy and safe.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“The Government of Canada continues to invest in scientific research to help safeguard Canadian waters and coasts from oil spills and other harmful marine incidents. The work carried out in our region will help protect not only our marine ecosystems here at home, but on all three coasts.”
Karen Ludwig, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest
“This investment from the Multi-Partner Research Initiative will provide a lasting legacy at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre that is aligned with our mission and values to advance collaborative marine science, develop highly qualified personnel, and contribute to the decision-making process of oil spill responders on all three coasts of Canada.”
Chris Bridger, Manager of Aquatic Services, Huntsman Marine Science Centre
Quick facts
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The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made by the Government of Canada to ensure our coasts are healthier, safer and better protected.
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The $45.5 million Multi-Partner Research Initiative, announced in December 2017, improves collaboration with oil response experts around the world, advance oil spill research in Canada, and minimize the environmental impacts of oil spills.
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Contacts
Jocelyn Lubczuk
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
343-548-7863
Jocelyn.lubczuk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Media Relations
Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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