Research project protects coastal ecosystems in East Coast communities

With more than 40,000 kilometres of coastline, Atlantic Canada has been home to generations of fisherfolk. By protecting ecosystems in coastal communities, a SSHRC-funded research project has helped rebuild the fishing industry and improve the coastal economy.

The six-year Coastal CURA (a Community University Research Alliance) project partnered Tony Charles from Saint Mary’s University and Melanie Wiber from the University of New Brunswick with First Nations communities, fishery-related organizations and university participants.

Together, they have increased community involvement in coastal management and actively improved local ecosystems by helping fish return to streams, testing water quality, and raising awareness through film and digital media projects.

A special high school curriculum has also been created to give students a better appreciation of the role they play in coastal management and prepare them for the decisions they will have to make in the future.