New Research Into Public Engagement With The 'Undersea'

I just read a summary of a study that was conducted in the U.K. on the public's perception with the 'Undersea'. The project was conducted by Natural England to try to understand the best way to engage (and not engage) the English public when it comes to the underwater landscape of the ocean.

The findings from the research suggest that most conventional campaigns that focus on 'issues' or 'problems' to promote Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are unlikely to 'work' for 60% of the population and will probably undermine attempts to create a political constituency advocating for MPAs. Even more surprising, less than 1% of the population can name a real undersea landscape feature. Essentially, there is no sense of place for the undersea landscape in England in the way there is for terrestrial landscapes, despite a high affinity for the sea as part of the coast.

While the results are for the U.K. only, the study definitely provides food for thought when it comes to our own work around MPAs here in B.C.

The full report can be viewed at: http://naturalengland.communisis.com/naturalenglandshop/docs/NERR019.pdf

The Days of PNCIMA - Introduction

I was hired in 2006 as Living Oceans Society's Marine Planning Specialist. The idea was that I would be the person from LOS who worked to ensure that DFO's imminent planning process for the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) includes the establishment of a network of MPAs. Everyone thought that the PNCIMA process would be starting that Fall. Well, it's now 2 and 1/2 years later, and the PNCIMA process has yet to officially begin. Needless to say, my job description has changed in that time.

But PNCIMA has pretty much been my life during this time (at least my working life). And sometimes it has very closely resembled a soap opera. There have been tears of joy and frustration, marriages as organizations formed coalitions, lots of gossip, divorces as coalitions dissolved, and car chases (kidding). The plot has managed to move right along, even though the process itself has yet to begin.

Once the PNCIMA process does start, there will be lots to keep track of. So I am starting this blog post as a take on 'The Days of Our Lives', because for many of us, 'Our Lives' can easily be replaced by 'PNCIMA'.

As things move forward with PNCIMA I will try to recap the progress that is being made or notable highlights in 'episodes' on this blog.

Stay tuned for Episode 1!

Video interviews happening on the North Island

We are helping to coordinate video interviews on the North Island for a project that World Wildlife Fund in Prince Rupert is working on entitled "Your Values, Your Vision".

We are collecting interviews and stories in video format from people that live near British Columbia’s Coast and connected watersheds.

We want to know:
why this place is important to you?
how are you connected to the environment?
what are your greatest concerns in this region?
what your hopes are for the future of this region?

By gathering these interviews and linking them to an online map of the region, we will create a visual representation showcasing the different values and visions shared by you.

Interviews will be happening in and around Campbell River, Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Alert Bay, and Sointula between September 13th and 20th, 2008. Email me at lrenehan@livingoceans.org if you are interested!

Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision-making

This new report - Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision-making - from the US National Research Council may be of interest to Coastal Voices readers. This book assesses whether, and under what conditions, public participation achieves the outcomes desired. Claims from all sides are considered and evaluated as a central point of the study in order to provide an overall assessment of the merits and failings of participation. The book also offers guidance to practitioners and identifies directions for further research.

The executive summary of the book can be downloaded from http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12434#description.

12 Key Principles for Influential Advocates

Last week I attended an 'ENGO Advocacy' workshop in Ottawa. (ENGO = Environmental Non-Governmental Organization). One of the hand-outs we received was titled "Twelve Key Principles for Influential Advocates". It lists tips for people who are meeting with decision makers, and I think this is relevant not only to people who work for non-governmental organizations, but also for anyone who is advocating for something. So I'm sharing the list here.

1. It's a Conversation - don't bring a laundry list.
2. Stay Calm, but be Yourself - show that you're confident.
3. It's about Relationships - the first question should be "How are you?".
4. Be Mainstream - if you say you're on the sidelines, you will be seen as such.
5. Do Your Homework - make sure you know who the person you're meeting with reports to, and what they're able to make decisions on.
6. Focus on Solutions - research what works and be prepared to share that information
7. Responsiveness - this is essential.
8. Work All Levels - political, senior and junior staff, agency, regional if applicable
9. Get Representation Right - don't go into a meeting representing a group or entity that you don't have the authority to speak for.
10. Timing - some things just can't move sometimes and it's better to ride the wave and wait for the right moment.
11. Put a little water in your wine - you almost never can get it all.
12. Thank - whether you get what you want or not, maintain the relationships of those you trust.

Salmon Bycatch in the Bering Sea

This is the second story I've come across recently about salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea. Glad to hear the closures that they implemented may have had the right effect. The news stories from earlier in the year were about how the bycatch on Chinook in the Bering Sea was a whopping 120000 in 2007! A lot of those fish migrate down to BC rivers.

Here is the original news story.

http://www.westcoaster.ca/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=3709

Here is the most recent one.

http://newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/31/bering-salmon-bycatch-dropping/?opinion

The Day the Water Died - Video

March 24, 1989 will forever plague history as one of the worst environmental disasters of our time. Eleven million gallons of oil spilled into the Prince William Sound killing thousands of wildlife and destroying a complex and delicate ecosystem. Exxon promised they would clean up the spill and promised that those affected would get their lives back. Sixteen years later and the people are still waiting for their lives to become "whole" again.

This video really touched me. Living on the Coast of BC where the provincial government keeps trying to open up offshore oil and gas exploration as well as allow tankers full of condensate to pass through our waters, this video reminds me why we need to be strong in our opposition to this. Because in the end, big business won't be taking care of us. We'll be the ones left carrying the burden of environmental disaster.