Community-University Research for Recovery Alliance (CURRA)
Description
The CURRA is a 5-year research program of innovative, interdisciplinary research projects related to helping communities and organizations along Newfoundland's west coast develop strategies for the recovery of fish stocks and fishery communities. Centered at Memorial University in St. John's, NL and at the Bonne Bay Marine Station in Norris Point, NL, the CURRA brings together researchers from the social and natural sciences and fine arts at Memorials Main campus and at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College and includes working partnerships with numerous stakeholders and community organizations.
Activities include: broadening use and public engagement with the Bonne Bay Marine Station; linking research and local knowledge to develop key recovery strategies for the region; enhancing the capacity of fish harvesters and fishing communities within the region to engage in recovery strategies; integrating existing knowledge and developing new knowledge about fish, fisheries and fishing communities; transferring knowledge to the region and between generations through innovative community-based educational programs and initiatives; creating a multi-disciplinary platform for future research and knowledge transfer collaborations
Research initiatives include:
- Habitat mapping and protection map the location of critical marine habitat, document its importance for different species, identify threats and develop a protection and recovery strategy.
- Brackish ponds (St. Paul's Inlet) look at the role they play in the larger Northern Gulf Ecosystem. Are they important nursery and spawning areas for some species? Are there local cod stocks in these areas? How are they managed and what is an appropriate way to promote effective stewardship of these areas in the future?
- Species at risk such as wolfish and corals document distribution and abundance areas, identify stewardship opportunities and strategies, and engage local harvesters in the research and in the management and protection of these species.
- St. John Bay Lobster help develop and implement a conservation and lobster recovery strategy for the Bay.
- Youth and local employment How might work quality and occupational health be enhanced to make local work more attractive and safer for youth?
- Photo essay documenting fish plants in the region and their cultural importance to be used as the basis for discussion about alternative/supplementary uses.
- Large scale global patterns and processes look at the risks and opportunities associated with changes in global seafood markets, resource supplies and labour markets. What can we learn from others about ways to enhance markets and the economic return on our fisheries through conservation and creative marketing?
[url]http://www.curra.ca/research_overview.htm[/url]
Start Date
01 Jan 2007
End Date
31 Dec 2012
Departments
Faculty of Business Administration
Location
Paradise, NL
Canada
Canada
Industry Sectors
Fishing, hunting and trapping
Funding
SSHRC (through Its Community-University Research Alliance Program (CURA))
With Additional Funding From:
Memorial University
Harris Centre At Memorial University
Centre Of Environmental Excellence, At Sir Wilfred Grenfell College
Institute For Biodiversity, Ecosystem Science And Sustainability (IBES) At Sir Wilfred Grenfell College
Parks Canada
Fisheries And Oceans Canada
Barbara Neis’
Trudeau Foundation Fellowship. Also In-kind Support From Community Partners
Harris Centre At Memorial University
Centre Of Environmental Excellence, At Sir Wilfred Grenfell College
Institute For Biodiversity, Ecosystem Science And Sustainability (IBES) At Sir Wilfred Grenfell College
Parks Canada
Fisheries And Oceans Canada
Barbara Neis’
Trudeau Foundation Fellowship. Also In-kind Support From Community Partners
Theme
Community Development
Fishery Research
Local Knowledge
Project Lead(s)
Collaborators
Arla Day
Catherine Hood
Grant Murray
Thomas W. Knight
Alain Frechet
Conrad Mullins
Dan Murphy
Jason Spingle
Jeffrey Pitcher
Kevin Hardy
Mark Dolomount
Colleen Kennedy
Samuel Elliot
Sharon Park
Sean St. George
Sheldon Peddle
Vanessa J. Farrell
Janice Ryan
Strategic Research Theme
Community and Regional Development
Oceans, Fisheries and Aquaculture