New research into Arctic shipping activities

Dr. Jackie Dawson, an associate professor of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa and holder of the Canada Research Chair in Environment, Society and Policy, will research shipping trends at two Northwest Passage sites over the past 30 years. The research will identify potential risks and make recommendations for establishing shipping routes and best practices within the study area.

Her research will begin this spring and is expected to take two years to complete. It has been made possible by a $194,000 grant provided jointly by Clear Sears, which is the Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping in Canada and a Green Marine supporter, and the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) in Canada.

The grant is part of a Clear Seas and MEOPAR partnership to fund research projects that contribute to a better understanding of shipping activities in Canada’s Arctic. With an estimated 75% increase in Arctic marine traffic over the past decade, Canadians are grappling with how best to maximize community opportunities while sustainably managing this burgeoning activity.