Halifax

Focus on the Oceans

Free public events raise awareness and appreciation of precious resource

7:00pm
Wednesday May 30 2012 - 6:30pm
Wednesday June 20 2012

Nova Scotia is surrounded by the ocean. It is an essential part of our economy, culture and environment. Leading up to and following World Oceans Day on June 8, Nova Scotians are invited to take part in numerous free public events—films, concerts, and lectures on issues affecting our coastal waters and high seas.

Learn about Canada’s marine diversity, track the life course of a leatherback turtle, understand the open net pen salmon farming controversy, and listen to the Celtic Mass for the Sea.

Our oceans face increasing threats from climate change, pollution, over-fishing, and cuts to government management and science. The following events shed light on the richness of the ocean resource and ways to help preserve it for generations to come: 

May 30, 7 p.m.: Public Lecture: Sustaining Canada's Marine Biodiversity: Responding to the Challenges Posed by Climate Change, Fisheries and Aquaculture. Dr. Jeff Hutchings presents the Royal Society of Canada report on this issue. Reception to follow. Scotia Bank Auditorium, McCain Building, Dalhousie University, 6135 University Avenue.

June 6, 6:30 p.m.: Oceans Film Festival: Turtle the Incredible Journey. Kathleen Martin of the Canadian Sea Turtle Network will lead a discussion on sea turtles in Atlantic Canadian waters. Scotia Bank Auditorium, McCain Building, Dalhousie University, 6135 University Avenue. http://internationaloceaninstitute.dal.ca/FilmFest.htm

June 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Oceans Day on the Halifax Waterfront. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

June 8, 7 p.m.: Elizabeth Mann Borgese Annual Ocean Lecture: Blue Planet Under Threat: Challenges and Opportunities at Rio+20. A panel discussion chaired by Dr. Larry Hildrebrand, Senior Research Fellow at International Ocean Institute Canada, and featuring four prominent panel members: Dr. Awni Behnam, President, International Ocean Institute; Dr. Susanna Fuller, Marine Conservation Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre; Ms. Megan Leslie, MP for Halifax, Deputy Leader and Environment Critic, NDP; Hon. David MacDonald, Commons Group. Room 105, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, 6061 University Avenue.

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June 9, 7 p.m.: Celtic Mass for the Sea on the Waterfront, free public concert, Queen’s Landing, Halifax waterfront.http://www.scott-macmillan.ca/music/composer/celtic-mass-for-the-sea/

June 13, 6:30 p.m.: Oceans Film Festival: SalmonWars: Aquaculture, Wild Fish and the Future of Communities. A citizen-funded documentary of the controversy surrounding open net pen salmon aquaculture, produced by Silver Donald Cameron and The Green Interview. Spatz Theatre, Halifax Citadel High School, 1855 Trollope Street. http://internationaloceaninstitute.dal.ca/FilmFest.htm

June 20, 6:30 p.m.: Oceans Film Festival: A Night of Local Shorts and Stories: Hinterland Who’s Who; Thrill of the Catch; Ship to Shore; L’Nuk: The People. Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer Street. http://internationaloceaninstitute.dal.ca/FilmFest.htm

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