ELLEN KENCHINGTON GIVES TALK AT ADM OCEANS AND SCIENCE LECTURE SERIES - MAY 12, 2011, 200 KENT STREET, OTTAWA

Dr. Ellen Kenchington

For most people, reflection on the cold waters of the North Atlantic does not bring forth mental images of colourful corals and delicately-shaped sponges. Yet the deep waters of our continental slopes support extensive aggregations of these species that rival many of their more familiar tropical counterparts for biodiversity and structural relief. Although we have known of their existence in our waters since the 19th century, it has only been in recent years that technology has allowed us to study these organisms in their natural habitat. The 2006 UN General Assembly Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries (61/105) was instrumental in maintaining the momentum of the nascent research on deep water corals and sponges by calling for action to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) from the degrading effects of bottom fishing activities. Many of these species also meet several of the criteria adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2008 to identify ecologically and biologically sensitive areas of the high seas. This seminar will highlight the fascinating biology and ecology of corals and sponges of the North Atlantic and summarize the research that DFO is undertaking in support of UNGA 61/105.

Click here for a copy of Ellen's talk.