Comox Valley Nature is pleased to host the following free online lecture:
Title: Update on the National Strategy to address Canada’s wrecked and abandoned vessels
Speaker: Donavan Jacobsen (Transport Canada)
Date: Sunday, March 19, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m. PT
This webinar is facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists and is open to the public (see the registration link below).
The Government of Canada recognizes that wrecked and abandoned vessels can pose hazards to the environment, public health and safety, and local economies such as fishing and tourism industries.
Most owners are responsible and maintain and dispose of their vessels properly. However, the small percentage that are not responsible can create significant impacts on our coastal communities, with the burden for costly clean-up often falling on Canadian taxpayers.
In November 2016, the Government of Canada launched the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping, protect Canada’s marine environment and help advance Indigenous reconciliation.
A key element of the 2016 Oceans Protection Plan was the commitment to develop a National Strategy to address Canada’s wrecked and abandoned vessels. This comprehensive strategy focused on prevention and removal of problem vessels.
This webinar will outline the strategy and provide an update on progress, as well as provide information on ways the public can report vessels to responsible authorities.
About the speaker
Donavan Jacobsen has been a manager for Transport Canada for six years in the area of Environmental Policy. This includes managing the teams responsible for work in support of the Vessels of Concern file. Prior to working with Transport Canada, Donavan worked at Indigenous Services Canada in the areas of community infrastructure and economic development, and at Industry Canada on renewable energy industries.
Donavan has Master’s and Undergraduate degrees in Political Science with specializations in comparative politics and international relations.
Although Donavan technically works out of Ottawa, he proudly calls the Comox Valley home, having worked remotely here since 2020.
Registration
“Seating capacity” for the talk is limited, and you need to register in advance. You can check the computer requirements for attendees here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the webinar.
If you are new to Comox Valley Nature, find out more about us here.
Although CVN lectures are free, donations of any size from non-members who attend are always appreciated ($4.00 is suggested).
