Speakers decry cuts at DFO’s biological station

Speakers at a July 18 public forum on the impact of significant federal cuts at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' (DFO) St. Andrews Biological Station (SABS) described the station as a "poster child" for what is happening across the country. More than 150 people attended the forum at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, during which scientists noted the potential impact on the health of the marine environment and greater good of society and politicians pointed to the "ideological attack" on science by the Harper government and its "cheerleader" approach to big industry. The forum was organized by Save Ocean Science (SOS), a group of local citizens.
The station's new $62 million facility became operational in May but has yet to officially open its doors. Under the cuts to the DFO budget, the Contaminants and Toxicology Department is being eliminated, the new library, which houses the world's largest collection of northwest Atlantic material, is being moved to Halifax and reportedly nine or more employees have received notices that their jobs will be affected by the cuts.
The first of the 11 speakers, Dr. John Castell, a retired research scientist, noted that the SABS library, which includes bound scientific journals, unpublished reports, conference proceedings and archives of photos and films, is critical to research. Much of the material would go into storage, so there would be loss of access, and it will take a much longer time to conduct research.
Dr. David Wildish, emeritus scientist at SABS, spoke about the role that the station has played in environmental protection and public health. He outlined some of the environmental research that the station has conducted, from the effects of salmon aquaculture and pulp mill pollution at L'Etang to the effect of PCBs, acid rain and oil in the marine environment. Wildish noted the importance of having impartial government scientists regulate industrial activities.
The role of government science in the daily lives of Canadians was pointed out by Dr. Karen Kidd, an ecotoxicologist at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John, who noted that scientists monitor environmental problems such as climate change and their research is necessary for the successful sustainability of economies such as the lobster and salmon aquaculture industries. Universities could not take over the role of government science because their research is short-term and unpredictable; professors cannot become emergency responders to quickly address an environmental issue like an oil spill or lobster kill; and long-term monitoring does not fit in with university research.
Maria Recchia of the Fundy North Fishermen's Association explained that a healthy marine ecosystem is the top priority for fishermen. Without scientists monitoring the effects of heavy industry on the marine environment, fishermen are afraid they may not have healthy fisheries. The DFO cuts "put a lot of fear into the hearts of our fishermen, who want to see their children fishing and their children's children."
Janice Harvey, fisheries critic for the Green Party of Canada, noted that recent research has shown a five-fold decline in the growth of phytoplankton in the Gulf of Maine, which will have an impact on commercial fish species. To protect those species, ecosystem management is needed, but the Harper government has been "destroying our capacity to understand the systems the fish depend on." She observed that there is a pattern of government scientific labs and positions being eliminated, as she said the current government has an "anti-science agenda," cutting research that would raise concerns about massive industrial projects.
The Liberal MP for Beausejour, Dominic LeBlanc, said he learned from his father, Romeo LeBlanc, who was Canada's longest serving minister of fisheries and oceans, the value of listening to fishermen and understanding how rural communities depend on their livelihoods. The DFO cuts are not aimed at controlling costs but rather are "an ideological attack" by the government to weaken the Fisheries Act and remove habitat protections. He said that the members of the Conservative government see themselves "as cheerleaders for big industry."
Twelve research organizations in Canada have been eliminated during this past year by the Conservative government, according to Dominic Cardy, leader of the New Democratic Party in New Brunswick. He noted that the lack of scientific information was a major contributor in the collapse of the groundfish stocks and added that the cuts are an attack on Canadian values and are destroying communities. He stated, "This is not the Canada we believe in."
Gary Corbett, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents 41 members at the St. Andrews station, observed that government science is important for making sound public policy decisions and for protecting the safety, health and prosperity of Canadians and the resources upon which communities depend. From the collapse of the northern cod fishery, the government should have learned that economic development needs to be based on environmental sustainability. Canada will lose credibility in the world by eliminating scientists, he said, noting that 60 letters have been received from organizations around the world questioning why the government is cutting these positions.
With the recent federal budget including a $79 million reduction for DFO and with the department's budget expected to be decreased by 25% between 2011 and 2015, Chris Aylward, national vice president, Public Service Alliance of Canada, said the infrastructure that supports the marine environment is being decimated. He urged people to stand up and "tell the truth about what these cuts mean."
A Native perspective was offered by Hugh Akagi, chief of the Schoodic Band of Passamaquoddy and a retired DFO employee, who asked whether science could not see how resources were becoming depleted. Along with knowledge, the wisdom of elders is needed, he urged, adding that there are lessons to be learned from the abuses of the past. Native people have inherent rights that are not subject to decisions by the government of Canada, he observed. "You need to use me to help protect you."
St. Andrews Mayor Stan Choptiany noted that the scientists and other staff at the station had been cautioned that they should not attend the forum. "We have to be the ones who speak up for them," he told those at the meeting. Referring to the community as a family, he said, "We don't like the thought of losing members of our family."
Corbett pointed out that public servants can be dismissed for not living up to their oath of loyalty to the Crown and that scientists have been fired for speaking out about the impacts of the government's actions. "There is a tremendous amount of fear in the public service across the country," he said.
The St. Andrews Town Council has written letters opposing the cuts to John Williamson, Conservative MP for New Brunswick Southwest, who was invited to the forum but did not attend, and federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield. Those attending were urged to write letters, too. In addition, SOS planned a rally at Indian Point on July 25 that included an aerial photo of those opposing the cuts, who formed a large human SOS.
Throughout the forum, an effigy of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, with a crown on his head, sat among the crowd, quietly listening to the impassioned pleas but making no comment.
Fisheries Minister Ashfield, though, has written a letter to the editor, reaffirming the government's commitment "to having strong science and library resources at Fisheries and Oceans Canada." He noted that the government has invested more than $100 million since 2006 in Fisheries and Oceans Canada, including significant upgrades at the St. Andrews Biological Station. While the library will be closed, the information will be available online, and materials will be scanned and emailed or shipped to requesters.