Research
The association is tasked in it’s mission statement to provide community based fisheries management of the local resources, to provide participatory research that is both initiated and relevant to the membership. This requires a level of capacity that is difficult to accumulate on our own. Community and University partnerships have been instrumental in providing this capacity.

Ecology Action Centre

During the last half of 2008, the Ecology Action Centre, Sadie Beaton, prepared a discussion document about Nova Scotia's beach systems and management issues, entitled "True Grit: A New Vision For Healthy Beaches in Nova Scotia." The paper begins by introducing Nova Scotia's spectacular beach shorelines, and  relevant management changes facing planners, decision-makers and communities. The next three sections focus on crucial issues facing beaches in three theme areas:

1. Beaches as dynamic and interconnected systems.
2. Beaches as critical habitat
3. Beaches as public space for sustainable human use.

Finally, the document suggests emerging beach management principles
and emerging questions for discussion at the now completed November 27th workshop. Please check this discussion document out.

Lobster Larval Video

Blue crab larvae video, sorry about the blur but it does get better, gives you a idea what it moves like.

Observation Tank, this video is 5 min 44 seconds long. It was taken inside the tank so you can hear the filter if you have the sound on. The green lobster is the smaller first one we had and the one in the rock pile is the second larger one that took over the pile from the smaller one.

Major Projects

Lobster Enhancement and Stock Assessment Project
1998-Present
The GCIFA is conducting a on-going study of the local lobster industry. The project includes an assessment of the stock by counting, weighing, measuring, sexing, V-notching, and tracking by way of a database of tagged numbers and recaptures. A graduate student, with the help of the GCIFA, completed a study on the lobster and produced a paper: Allometric growth in the Lobster Homarus Americanus (MacCormack and Demont, 1999).
The third stage in this on-going project is a larvae study to determine how the eggs survive. A drift study to determine the retention of larvae and juvenile lobsters is also planned. This is a good example of community partners helping fishermen in the management and conservation of their fishery as well as building a participatory research experience.

Rural Communities Impacting Policy
CURA (Community/University Research Alliance) with the Dalhousie Health Promotion Research Center
2003
A study to determine the impact of policy on women entering, remaining or exiting the inshore fishery in Guysborough County. The RDA supported this project with equipment loans and technology assistance. Community contacts provided telephone survey list and disseminated the final report.

 

Rural Development Initiative - A Socio-Economic Snapshot of the Impact of the Inshore Fishery in Guysborough County
2002-2003
What is the economic contribution of the inshore fishery to the county and how well is the industry being serviced by the businesses in the county? This project was completed through the collection and presentation of statistical information on the fishery. The RDA provided statistical information, technology assistance and equipment. The community partners and GCIFA disseminated the final report.

Developing an Interdisciplinary Participatory Research Methodology to Further Community–Based Management
CURA (Community/University Research Alliance) with the University of New Brunswick
2001-2003
A project to help fisheries association participate and be more effective in their community based management through association development training. The RDA and GCBDC provided facilitation for the series of five workshops and two information sessions as well as presenting on skill development training for the board of directors and executive as well as committee representatives.

Social Research for Sustainable Fisheries: Building Harvester Research and Ecosystem Resource Management Capacity.
CURA (Community/University Research Alliance)
2000-2005
By hiring and training a research coordinator in social research methods, the project generated participatory research issues relevant to the fishermen partners. Each of the partners engaged in their own specific research projects, but also built research capacity. Community networks were essential in helping the GCIFA build and use this capacity to fulfill our commitment to the project.

Coastal Mapping Projects and Adopt a Stream
1995-1998
Employed two full time staff persons. The project sought to implement the Adopt-A-Stream philosophy by training local people (unemployed fishers and plant workers) to work with volunteer groups (GCIFA) within their own areas. The GCRDA was the main coordinator for this project, and acted as the storage depot for collected data.

Publications and Presentations

“Lobster Stock Monitoring by the Guysborough County Inshore Fishermen’s Association”
Dr. Robert J. Miller and Virginia Boudreau 
Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, DFO, Ottawa 2004

“DFO Intimidating, Jeopardizing Small Boat Fish Harvesters”
Dr. Anthony Davis and Virginia Boudreau
The Casket Newspaper, Antigonish NS, May 15, 2002

“Diving Into the Chowder”
Dr. Anthony Davis and Virginia Boudreau et al.
Canadian Issues Magazine, St. Catherine, Montreal, August/September 2001

Various document creation and contribution on Social Research for Sustainable Fisheries
http://www.stfx.ca/research/srsf/

Conferences and Presentations

"2008 In Review" This is what we have done in the past year at the GCIFA. We have done a lot so the presentation is a bit long but worth having a look at. Click Here for presentation.

"Taking Responsibility for Our Future"
2006 - Sydney, NS
Presentation to The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council regarding Atlantic lobster management

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
October 6-8, 2004 - Ottawa, ON
National Transformation Consultations Roundtable Participant

Guysborough County Inshore Fishermen’s Association 30 year Celebration
September 8, 2004 - Canso, NS

"Crossroads: Critical Issues in Community Based Research" International Conference
June 10-13, 2004 - Hartford Research Institute, Connecticut
Presentation and Poster. “How to Establish and Benefit from Equality within a Community University Alliance.”

Coastal Communities Network Conference and Awards Banquet
Nov 13-14, 2002
Presented CURA Project and accepted Award for GCIFA.

Eastern Shore Fisheries Protection Association Annual Workshop
March 26, 2002
CURA and Research Capacity training.

"Putting Fishers’ Knowledge to Work"
August 27-30, 2001 - University of British Columbia
Presentation and Poster. “How can we have more Participation by the Fishermen in Fisheries Science?” Published in the Book of Abstracts; UBC Fisheries Center International Conference Series 2001.

The 2000 Community Research Network Conference Report
June 16-19, 2000 - Atlanta, Georgia
Common Problems, Uncommon Resources: Exploring the Social and Economic Challenges of Community Based Research.

"The Challenges Facing International and Community Research"
April 2000 - Hartford Research Institute, Connecticut
Presentation and participant in roundtable discussion.

Partnerships & Alliances

Community Projects
We have long standing community project partnerships with:
Pictou School of Fisheries
Nova Scotia Community Colleges
Human Resource Development Canada
Guysborough County Harbour Authorities and Waterfront Development Authority
Guysborough County Regional Development Authority
Guysborough County Business Development Center
Municipalities Units of Guysborough County
St FX Extension Department and the Coady Institute

University Alliances
Saint Francis Xavier University
Dalhousie University
University of New Brunswick
Saint Mary’s University
University of Manitoba
Memorial University