News Release
Bordered by three oceans and home to the world’s longest coastline, Canada produces some of the world’s leading ocean research, but struggles to translate it into tangible benefits for the environment, the economy, and communities.
Recognizing this shortfall, the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) asked the CCA to convene experts to provide advice on ways to improve the impacts of ocean research. Mobilizing Ocean Research for Canada explores how to better harness the power of ocean research to support Canada’s prosperity, security, and sustainability.
Enhancing ocean research impact goes beyond the reach of any one researcher or project, requiring coordinated effort across institutions, governments, and sectors. A national strategy for ocean research that aligns with broader national priorities could offer opportunities across multiple sectors.
Mobilizing Ocean Research for Canada identifies several strategies to improve impact:
Centring Indigenous rights and knowledge. Successful research projects are designed and sustained through a fulsome appreciation for Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, and leadership. Early and sustained engagement with Indigenous Peoples, communities, and end users is critical to achieving impact.
Prioritizing knowledge mobilization. Despite strong evidence generation, insufficient investment in communication, translation, and user-focused outputs is limiting the uptake of research findings. Getting the right contextualized knowledge to policymakers at the right time remains both a key challenge and a significant opportunity.
Advancing a shared vision. The effective use of ocean research is hindered by weak connections between researchers, policymakers, and industry. The report points to growing interest in the Blue Economy as an opportunity to articulate and advance a common vision, while highlighting dual-use R&D as a pathway to new partnerships, resources, and national priorities.
The report draws on workshop deliberations, literature, and engagement activities and responds to questions about the key barriers to ocean research impact, the strategies best positioned to address them, and the emerging trends that could reshape both.