e4 KIMXKtll XM) IMORMMION 



ertort lo invcstigaliDiis (.lircclly rcl.iicil lt> llio IX|\irl- 

 menl's management needs. 



These changes adversely aHecicd (he (.apahil- 

 ity to respK>nd at a lime when some ot the 

 most prot'i>iind developments in the liisiory ol" 

 the rtshery were iKcurring, e.g.; the estabhsh- 

 ment ota 2(X) mile limit, the development of a 

 salmomd enhancement prt>gram; rapid devel- 

 opment of a nuild-million dollar roe herring 

 fishery; the explosive increase of the catching 

 capability of the commercial fishing fleet (as 

 well as in recreational tishing interest and 

 participation); and the increa.sed pubhc 

 awareness of the sensitivity offish habitat, all 

 aggravated by expanding population and 

 industrial development.- 



The Department's current manpower and budget 

 devoted to research are summarized in Table 6-1. These 

 provisions are substantial, amounting to 358 person-years 

 and $19 million annually. This reflects the crucial impor- 

 tance of research in the fisheries; few regulatory agencies 

 need to depend so hea\ ily on research scientists for gui- 

 dance in conducting their on-going management activi- 

 ties. In addition to the Department's internal work, it 

 sponsors some outside research. Other fisheries research 

 is conducted in the region by international commissions, 

 the government of British Columbia and universities. 



Table 6-1 The Department's research commitments, 

 1981-82 



' Includes direct support costs such as laboratory operations and 

 research vessel operations provided by Support Services Branch. 



'' Includes habitat bio-engineering studies, scientific and technical 

 advice, and data analysis and interpretation. 



' Includes fish culture research, manageability studies, hatchery opera- 

 tional studies and lake enrichment. Lake ennchment is included as 

 research but is also a fish-production activity, and approximately $1 

 million of this total can be attributed to production. 



Source: Department of Fishenes and Oceans. Exhibit # 182. p. 16. 



At present the Department's research activities are 

 scattered among the various branches within the Pacific 

 region with little coordination. The Resource Services 

 Branch (recently renamed the Fishenes Research 

 Branch) conducts 50 to 60 percent of the research in the 

 region and is responsible for a broad range of applied 

 and basic research and resource assessment. This 

 includes studies of salmon habitat; fish populations and 

 ecology; lake enrichment; fish culture and health; and 



sliidies dealing with various aspects of groundtish, 

 slielllish and herring. Ilie work of this branch is carried 

 out at two major research laboratories, the Pacific Biolog- 

 ical Station at Nanaimo and the West Vancouver labo- 

 ratory. The Technology .Services Branch conducts 

 applied research aimed at improving the quality of fish 

 catches and products. The F'ield .Services Branch, which 

 manages fisheries and fish habitat, conducts applied 

 research and activities such as stock assessment and 

 monitoring. And, to develop techniques and evaluate and 

 improve operations, research is alst) conducted under the 

 Salmomd Enhancement Program. Supenmposed on these 

 regional functions, the Ottawa-based Fisheries Research 

 Branch advises on programs and policies, and the inte- 

 gration of fisheries science with other elements of man- 

 agement. 



These scattered responsibilities for investigative activi- 

 ties have left many researchers preoccupied with organi- 

 zational rather than research concerns. It has also 

 become extremely difficult for officers within the Depart- 

 ment to identify which unit to approach to obtain infor- 

 mation required to meet particular management needs. 

 In addition, some studies that both managers and 

 researchers agree should be done are not undertaken. 

 Successive interbranch committees and working groups 

 have attempted to bridge these gaps, but with mixed suc- 

 cess. This lack of cohesion between investigators and 

 managers, and shortages of information in a number of 

 key fields have drawn frequent comment from many sec- 

 tors of the fisheries. 



Everywhere the fisheries are in trouble .... 

 Where is the science? The industry requires 

 certain answers that are not available from 

 the researchers. Simple things like the 

 expected long-term supply of fish .... None 

 of the biological research can provide 

 this ....■■' 

 In short, a breakdown has occurred in the Depart- 

 ment's ability to frame the questions that need to be 

 answered as background for management, enhancement 

 and habitat protection; to deploy its forces eflfectively to 

 obtain the required knowledge; and to present the results 

 of such investigations in a clear and understandable man- 

 ner. While researchers and managers have sometimes 

 worked well together, such occasions have been rare, and 

 major improvements are needed. The Department recog- 

 nizes this; 



. . . these developments . . . highlighted the 

 necessity of achieving effective team work 

 among research scientists, biologists and 

 managers without regard for past work divi- 

 sions or work locations. Concerted eflTort has 

 therefore been made in the past few years to 

 work toward totally integrated Fisheries 

 Management.^ 



