The Marine Institute and WWF-Canada partner to advance fisheries and oceans education
The Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Canada to provide a framework for the advancement of fisheries and oceans related education, training and research and development.
“The Marine Institute’s partnership with World Wildlife Fund will add great value to students and the future of sustainable ocean uses in Atlantic Canada, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute). “Channeling the passion and enthusiasm of today’s young thinkers towards the future of our ocean resources and their value to communities will help build a legacy for oceans conservation.”
The new three-year agreement will utilize student research and professional expertise to drive collaboration and creative solutions for environmental issues facing our oceans and the livelihoods dependent on them. It will also focus on supporting and creating unique training opportunities for Atlantic Canadian students in ocean conservation.
“WWF’s collaboration with the Marine Institute, with its world class reputation in applied marine research and education, will further our shared goals in marine conservation and sustainable resource use,” said Robert Rangeley, vice-president, conservation, WWF-Canada.
Through combined expertise, MI and WFF will foster closer relationships with local industries related to fisheries and oceans sustainability and enhance outreach to address critical marine conservation issues.
“Our efforts will be focused on current and emerging ocean issues while also meeting student expectations that their academic work will make a difference to long-term sustainable ocean use,” said Carey Bonnell, head, MI’s School of Fisheries. “Increased opportunities for research related to sustainable ocean uses will also be identified by MI and other university programs.”
MI and WWF will work together to explore opportunities for expansion of collaborative arrangements within the province, the Arctic, Canada and internationally. Other partnership opportunities will also look at advancing sustainable ocean use and marine conservation objectives.
WWF is an environmental organization whose mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF-Canada has nine offices in Canada including St. John’s, Halifax and Iqaluit.