In 2016 Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) committed to further informing Canadians on the current state of Canada's three oceans by improving Ecosystem Reporting. In support of this initiative, DFO released the first report - "State of Canada's Arctic Seas" in 2019.
The full report provides a synthesis on current knowledge for the Canadian Arctic region with a focus primarily on information gathered within the past five years. The report combines invaluable Inuit knowledge assessments as well as information from scientific research programs.
Melt ponds on first year sea ice near Resolute, Nunavut. Photo courtesy of Brent Else.
The report provides context for how arctic ecosystems are currently functioning and/or changing by discussing key structuring elements of the Arctic Ocean. Neighbourhood connectivity and ecosystem variability are among the key themes presented, with specific sections focusing on co-management and coastal ecosystems.
Individual case studies are used to provide theme-based examples of the current status of various ecosystems. The report's key messages identify a new baseline understanding of current ecosystem responses to changes in sea-ice conditions in the Canadian Arctic region.
A full version of the report may be found using the link below.