Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association
Who We Are

The Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association (PacMARA) seeks to develop and encourage the use of cross-disciplinary marine science in ecosystem-based decision-making. PacMARA takes an impartial, non-advocacy approach, believing that access to data, good science, and clear results are at the heart of sustainable oceans management.

Its “home waters” are the Pacific coast of British Columbia (BC), Canada, where a comprehensive marine planning process is about to begin. However, as evidenced by its international workshops and case studies, PacMARA also maintains a broader perspective in which to place its projects into context.

PacMARA has a broad community of interest and a list-serve of over 150 members from government, First Nations, academia, and environmental non-governmental organizations.

PacMARA is a young and evolving organisation. Its roots go back to a series of multi-stakeholder meetings held in 2002 – 2003, where it was found that users, practitioners, regulators, and advocates for the sea shared a number of common research needs. It was registered as a non-profit society in Jan. 2005, and is in the process of acquiring charitable status.

PacMARA has a dynamic and inclusive Board of Directors, with membership from government, academia, and non-governmental environmental groups. Its breadth spans from established researchers who are leaders in their fields and bring considerable experience with them, to young researchers who bring forth new energy and ideas.

Current Directors (June 2007-2008) are:

Voting Directors

Michele Patterson, WWF-Canada (President)
Jeff Ardron, German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Vice-President)
Jo Fletcher, Vice President, Deloitte Corporate Finance, Vancouver (Treasurer)

Rosaline Canessa, Assistant Professor, Dept of Geography, University of Victoria
Danielle Edwards, Masters Candidate, Fisheries Research Group, Simon Fraser U.
Edward J. Gregr, Principal, SciTech Consulting; Researcher, Marine Mammal Research Unit, Fisheries Centre, UBC
Nigel Haggan, PhD candidate, University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre
Greg Kehm, Manager of Planning & Information Services, Ecotrust Canada
Dave Nicolson, Manager of Conservation Information and GIS Services, Nature Conservancy of Canada, BC Region
Bill Wareham, Acting Director, Marine Conservation, David Suzuki Foundation
Louisa Wood, PhD Candidate, UBC

Non-Voting Directors

Glen Jamieson, Research Scientist, Conservation Biology, Marine Ecosystems & Aquaculture Div., Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tom Tomascik, Senior Advisor for Marine Conservation, Parks Canada Agency; Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Botany, UBC

Photo Credits: fish Scale: © Caprina Valentine; shoreline: © GraphicCorp.; sea star: © Caprina Valentine; cruise ship: © Erika Rolston

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