FIELDNOTES 2019 – 2020 Pacific Science Field Operations Cover illustration: Top view of a deep-sea sea urchin and brittle stars observed at a depth of 2,230 metres. Photo credit: Ocean Networks Canada. FIELDNOTES 2019 - 2020: DFO Pacific Science Field Operations TABLE OF CONTENT . SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 1 . SECTION 2 DFO PACIFIC SCIENCE 2 . SECTION 3 SCHEDULED FIELD OPERATIONS: 2019—2020 4 . SECTION 4 REPORTING RESULTS 5 . ANNEX A PACIFIC SCIENCE ORGANIZATION 7 . ANNEX B FACT SHEET SERIES: 2019—2020 DFO Pacific Science Field Operations 12 FIELDNOTES 2019 - 2020: DFO Pacific Science Field Operations SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION Scientific Integrity Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducts research and undertakes monitoring surveys of The condition resulting from the marine and freshwater environment in adherence to concepts of support of sustainable fisheries, healthy aquatic transparency, openness, high quality ecosystems and living resources, and safe and effective marine services. work, avoidance of conflict of interest and ensuring high standards of Critical to the Department’s success in fulfilling impartiality and research ethics. its science mandate is a recognition that the trust in the research and scientific information it provides—and indeed the trust in the decision- making process that makes use of such Similar to the ways in which notes recorded by information—depends upon the integrity of the scientists or researchers are intended to be read process by which such information is produced, as evidence that gives meaning and aids in the managed and communicated. understanding of a phenomenon, Fieldnotes intends to: The pursuit of scientific integrity—the condition resulting from adherence to concepts of . inform Canadians of the science field transparency, openness, high quality work, operations scheduled to occur between May avoidance of conflict of interest and ensuring 2019 and March 2020 in the waters of high standards of impartiality and research British Columbia and the Yukon; ethics—creates an opportunity for DFO to think about how it effectively informs and engages . promote the sharing of key information and Canadians in the creation, management, and data in a coordinated, timely, open and communication of high quality knowledge, transparent manner in order to encourage products and scientific advice. dialogue and collaboration; Fieldnotes is one way DFO Science in Pacific . provide a platform from which to build and Region is proposing to further its commitment to nurture fundamentally more inclusive, trust- scientific integrity and ensuring Canadians are and respect-based relationships with all informed and feel engaged in the delivery of Canadians; DFO’s science mandate. reaffirm and honour the reconciliation commitment to renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnerships; and, . foster conditions that facilitate the pooling of collective expertise, experience, and resources. To sum up, Fieldnotes is a prelude to continuous improvement, stronger relationships, and a commitment to doing better together. 1 Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region FIELDNOTES 2019 - 2020: DFO Pacific Science Field Operations SECTION 2 DFO PACIFIC SCIENCE Pacific Region On behalf of all Canadians, over 600 DFO Science employees in Pacific Region are DFO scientists in Pacific Region committed to working towards fulfilling DFO’s conduct their work throughout the vision of healthy oceans, aquatic ecosystems, North Pacific, coastal and interior species, and sustainable fisheries, while British Columbia, the Yukon, as well ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the Indigenous and coastal communities that as the Western Arctic. depend on them. Through impactful and collaborative initiatives aligned with the Department’s core priorities, Science Branch provides the foundation for the Science in the Pacific Region is delivered with Department’s management and conservation the support of the Centre for Science Advice decisions, and plays a pivotal role to Pacific and the Strategic Planning Unit, through commitments under several international science staff housed in five divisions at four treaties. regional science centers, and through salmon stock assessment science staff located in four Pacific Region Science staff deliver vibrant, high Area Offices. Refer to Annex A for more details. quality research, extensive monitoring, robust science advice, and innovative products and Further, with a functional presence across the services in addition to valuable data and Region, Pacific Science staff is uniquely information management in support of evidence- positioned to play a key role in the based decision-making that benefits all current transformation of the Government of Canada’s and future Canadians. relationship with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition and implementation of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership related to fisheries, oceans, habitat and marine waterways. FOR MORE INFORMATION – Pacific Science website http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/index-eng.html 2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region FIELDNOTES 2019 - 2020: DFO Pacific Science Field Operations By the Numbers: Science Workforce in Pacific Region . ~ 617 Science employees . ~ 23 percent of all DFO employees in Pacific aaaaaRegion . 4 main research stations o > 200 support staff and scientists at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo o > 250 scientists and researchers at Sidney’s Institute of Ocean Sciences o ~ 10 science staff at the Cultus Lake Salmon Research Laboratory o ~ 35 science staff at the aaaaaaPacific Science Enterprise aaaaaaCentre located in West aaaaaaVancouver . 4 area offices with > 83 stock assessment aabiologists o Yukon Transboundary Area Office in Whitehorse, YK. o North Cost Area Office in Prince Rupert, BC. o South Coast Area Office in Nanaimo, BC. o Fraser and Interior British Columbia Area offices in Delta and Kamloops, BC. Together, this dedicated workforce annually conducts > 50 separate field operations, spends countless hours performing salmon stock assessment activities, and publishes ~ 51 peer- reviewed scientific articles through the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. 3 Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region FIELDNOTES 2019 - 2020: DFO Pacific Science Field Operations SECTION 3 SCHEDULED FIELD OPERATIONS: 2019—2020 Fifty-seven DFO Science field operations are currently scheduled to occur between April 2019 and March 2020 in the offshore, nearshore, and inland waters of British Columbia and the Yukon. Field Operations Category Fact sheets outlining details of this field programming can be found in Annex B. Each Human Impacts fact sheet includes: Research and Monitoring . an identification number, a primary field Hydrographic operations category, and a title; and Oceanographic Surveys . the dates, recurrence and locations of the work; Population . a description of the programming and and Ecosystem Assessments associated objectives; . a list of collaborators when available; and, . the name and contact information of the responsible DFO Lead Scientist. To help the reader identify field operations of Future editions of Fieldnotes will endeavor to interest, an alphabetical and a geographic index capture the breadth and diversity of this are provided. programming. Note that in this edition of Fieldnotes, salmon Should you have any questions or comments on stock assessment monitoring activities— the field programming, interest in collaborative population monitoring, catch monitoring and science, or would like to offer suggestions to ecosystem monitoring–conducted out of the improve how DFO Science communicates, areas are condensed into one fact sheet (#57). please contact the Lead Scientist identified for each field operation who will be pleased to discuss further. 4 Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region FIELDNOTES 2019 - 2020: DFO Pacific Science Field Operations SECTION 4 REPORTING RESULTS Ensuring that research and scientific information Nautical charts, navigational products and produced by Pacific Science is made available survey results can be accessed from the to the public in an open, timely and transparent Canadian Hydrographic Service. manner is a key principle of scientific integrity. Note that each June, Pacific Science publishes Field programming findings are communicated a technical report presenting results of the most through Technical and Data reports available on recent year’s monitoring information about the the Federal Science Library, Open Government state of the physical, biological and selected Portal, and in publications from the Centre for fishery resources of Pacific Canadian marine Science Advice Pacific. ecosystems. Efforts to improve reporting and make field data available continue. 5 Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region FIELDNOTES 2019 - 2020: DFO Pacific Science Field Operations Did you know? In 2019 - 2020, Pacific Science field program staff and their collaborators will: . Monitor ~ 200 temperature loggers to track water quality in > 100 Pacific Salmon streams in the Fraser River Basin. Research and monitor 12 species of commercially cultured invertebrates—including Pacific oysters, Manila clams, mussels, and Pacific scallops. Continue to search for and monitor geoduck beds; to date, > 5,200 have been identified and assessed in British Columbia. Acquire scientific information and / or provide advice on > 11 out of > 60 Pacific Region aquatic species at risk listed under the Species