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Safeguarding our seas and shoreline
Canada's wealth of marine resources is one of many reasons European explorers were attracted to, and eventually settled on, Canada's shores. Since then, the fishery has played a pivotal role in shaping this country's history. As Canada makes the transition to the knowledge-based economy, those same resources - enhanced by new knowledge and technologies, which ensure their sustainable development - will continue to provide social, environmental and economic benefits to Canadians in the 21st century.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada's (DFO) responsibilities include maintaining sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, as well as healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems. Increasingly, biotechnology contributes to this goal. It is becoming an important tool in fulfilling some of DFO's science sector responsibilities, which include: providing science advice; developing and providing products and services; conducting monitoring; managing data; and carrying out targeted research.
The department applies biotechnology tools to a variety of functions, such as establishing genetic profiles of commercially valuable species for stock identification and harvest management, preserving the genetic diversity of endangered species, and selecting broodstock in aquaculture development. DFO is also developing an aquatic animal health program, which is based in part on molecular diagnostic methodologies, to meet international requirements for the identification and control of aquatic animal diseases. This is critical to Canada's trade status and the movement of Canadian seafood products in international markets.
In recent years there has been an increasing amount of research and development in the area of genetically modified fish in many countries to develop aquaculture strains for enhanced food production. The authority to assess environmental and indirect human health effects of genetically modified aquatic organisms rests with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) of 1999, until equivalent regulations are developed under the Fisheries Act. In the mean time, DFO assists Environment Canada and Health Canada with this assessment under CEPA 1999.
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Early successes
Scientific innovations
DFO has taken leading-edge biotechnology developments and applied them to marine science operations. Working with partners in other government departments, universities, industry and foreign institutions, the department has been instrumental in developing breakthroughs in DNA fingerprinting of marine species, molecular diagnosis of aquatic animal diseases and the development of model strains of transgenic fish.
DNA sequences are like barcodes identifying the various products you buy at a store. DFO scientists are working on making DNA sequencing an analytical tool so powerful that it does not require sophisticated scientific experimentation to develop a genetic profile of an organism. By using this innovative tool on samples of undigested blood or scales, individuals, species and populations of fish can be identified by matching samples to a databank of these DNA sequences.
Scientists begin by collecting DNA samples of species from geographically distinct stocks around the world and use molecular techniques to identify different DNA within these samples. Once mapped, these differences allow scientists to, for example, distinguish one population of Atlantic lobster from another and understand its distribution pattern. Before the development of these genetic probes, scientists relied on time-consuming live captures of huge numbers of organisms, which could then be tagged, released and eventually recovered. Genetic analysis opens the door to understanding a variety of aspects of marine life, such as the differences between populations and stock status.
In the regulation of aquatic animal health, DFO laboratories are developing, testing, improving and validating novel molecular-based methods of disease diagnosis. DFO scientists used a newly developed polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) test to differentiate between MSX and SSO infections in oysters during the 2002 outbreak in the province of Nova Scotia. The differentiation allowed the control measures to be concentrated on areas affected by the more pathogenic MSX infections and limited the economic impacts of culture operation closures. As a result of the Canadian diagnostic experience, the OIE (Office international des épizooties) has declared the PCR confirmation as the international standard for the diagnosis of MSX and SSO infections in oysters.
DFO's transgenic fish research has produced genetically modified salmon that have been reared in contained, land-based facilities. The DFO-developed transgenic salmon strains are used to obtain factual information on performance characteristics, fitness parameters and food safety characteristics. This information is important to assess any potential impacts that escaped genetically modified fish might have on wild populations. The transgenic strains are also used by other federal regulatory authorities and other countries so that assessments of environmental impacts and food safety are comparable.
Understanding the genetic blueprint of living marine organisms forms a powerful base to develop applications and to seek solutions for a wide range of challenges. As the technologies continue to mature and costs decline, the broader adoption of biotechnology in day-to-day operations will be possible.
All of these scientific innovations are contributing not only to a sound regulatory capability, but also to sustainable fisheries, competitive aquaculture and strengthened environmental protection.
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Sustainable fisheries
DFO scientists are building genomic libraries of Canadian marine species. For example, DNA profiling of various sockeye sub-populations returning to the Fraser River has been completed. In 2002, more than 9,000 samples were analyzed and compared to the established population profiles in daily operations. This new information allowed fisheries authorities to temporarily close the fishery on days when the late run, which is associated with high spawning mortality, appeared earlier than expected. This type of work has helped to minimize harvest pressures upon particularly sensitive species and populations.
DFO's DNA fingerprinting technique can also be used by enforcement officers in forensic analysis to identify confiscated products and trace them to their species or stock of origin. This acts as a strong deterrent against poaching or illegal harvesting and improves the enforcement of regulations and protection of marine resources. The department has successfully prosecuted cases dealing with salmon and abalone based on DNA evidence.
By charting each species, population by population, scientists can better assess which populations can support fisheries and how to prevent the loss of genetic diversity in designing breeding programs. Endangered species could also be identified and protected to ensure the genetic variability each needs to survive and thrive. The goal of these genomic libraries is to build a clear understanding of population dynamics well before any harvest pressures build.
DFO scientists are also using DNA analyses in supportive breeding (salmon enhancement) and selective breeding (aquaculture) programs. In Atlantic salmon enhancement, DNA fingerprinting is used to trace adults, progeny and returnees in order to determine the success of different enhancement strategies. In Pacific salmon aquaculture, DNA analysis is used to monitor any genetic diversity loss in aquaculture strains and to distinguish wild from cultured salmonids.
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Strengthened environmental protection
Canada's aquatic resources are an integral part of the fabric of this nation. Extensive DNA surveys and the tracking of the genetic diversity of endangered species are yielding valuable information in designing marine protected areas. These genetic surveys are also leading to a better understanding of the impacts of human activity on wild stocks. Because of genetic research, fish management experts are better able to give fragile populations a chance to survive, recover and ultimately lead to stronger, healthier fisheries for the future. Research is also ongoing to evaluate the effectiveness of sterilization of male and female salmonids to prevent the breeding of escaped farmed fish with wild fish stocks.
The National Centre for Offshore Oil and Gas Environmental Research is working on restoring the productive capacity of contaminated sites in coastal environments. The Centre is developing new sensitive, cost-effective and rapid assays, based on recent advances in biotechnology, for monitoring recovery in habitat quality. Advances in site remediation and environmental health assessments are required to meet Canadians' expectation that the government should be more proactive in its efforts to protect the environment and sustainability of our aquatic resources.
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Sharing knowledge and expertise
DFO initiatives are defining the way marine biotechnology is applied and developed. The department's core expertise is concentrated at specialized research centres. The applications developed at the centres are then transferred to other laboratories and integrated into dayto- day operations and policy development. DFO works in close partnerships with key organizations, both nationally and internationally, to share its knowledge and expertise in this fast-evolving field.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, Environment Canada and other federal departments are working together to maintain efficient coordination in the federal biotechnology regulatory system. This partnership approach reinforces the commitment of CBS member departments and agencies to responsibly manage all aspects of the development and application of biotechnology. It also underscores their shared determination to work cooperatively and strategically, among themselves as well as with other partners, to strike a balance between the detection and management of risk, and the development of new biotechnology discoveries.