Progressive Protection initiatives have measurable goals that push towards biological, ecological, and economical resiliency. The SW Fundy seafood sectors are progressive in approach, attitude, innovation, collaboration, and also progressively promoting “mutual learning” and adaptive management. Mutual learning is important as it promotes harvesters on the water learning from science and science learning from harvesters.
The SW Fundy Progressive Protection Council is made up of several representatives from the SW Fundy seafood industry. Working independently of government, the Council values its government advisory participants and expert advisory participants, including First Nations. Mutual collaboration between parties is key when working to encourage both natural and economic resilience. Mutual learning is also incredibly valuable when relationship building as we learn more about how we handle issues collectively and share each others’ point of views with the other.
“The goal is to recognize existing and implement new marine management strategies that will increase biological, ecological and socio-economic resilience in the Southwest New Brunswick area.”
“ Ecological resilience” is the capacity of an ecosystem to respond to a disturbance by resisting damage and recovering, or adapting. Ecological resilience is what makes our sea life strong in the face of storms and powerful tidal currents.
The term “resilience” for Council represents a dynamic quality; successful resiliency is ever-changing and adapting. SW Fundy is also ever-changing with the flow of tides and other influences. SW Fundy demands successful resiliency, in both natural and socio-economic categories. Not only does our marine life need to be resilient, but so do our harvesters.
The Bay of Fundy is a special place where marine life has adapted, grown resilience, and thus thrived. These powerful tidal currents provide a lot of natural protection for the sea life that makes its home here. The natural protection provided by our powerful currents is not well understood by people unfamiliar with our Bay.
We have a rich marine heritage of over two centuries, in our positive relationship with the sea, thanks in large part to the powerful tidal currents and complex topography that enriches our sea and sea life.
– Eric Allaby
