FERN Welcomes New Coordinator

FERN recently appointed Lisa Isaacman as Coordinator. Lisa holds a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Sciences (University of Guelph) and a Masters of Environmental Studies (Dalhousie University). Her Masters research focused on assessing the long-term changes in diadromous fish populations in a tidal river watershed in the inner Bay of Fundy and the possible long-term impacts due to human activities, especially a tidal barrier (causeway) built across the estuary in 1970. After graduating in 2005, Lisa has worked on a number of environmental issues in Nova Scotia and Ontario, including sustainable water management, fish habitat management and environmental assessment, species at risk, and environmental implications of ocean renewable energy. In 2008, Lisa joined Graham Daborn (Acadia University) and Ken Lee (COOGER, Fisheries and Oceans Canada) to work on environmental issues related to ocean renewable energy in Canada. Her main work involved developing a synthesis of the current knowledge on the environmental impacts of tidal and wave energy technologies and its applicability for Canada. Her work was published in 2009 as a Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) research document entitled "Current State of Knowledge on the Environmental Impacts of Tidal and Wave Energy Technology in Canada". This report provided the framework for a National Science Advisory Process meeting held in April 2009, which brought together Canadian marine energy and environmental scientists to assess the current state of knowledge on environmental impacts and mitigation of wave and tidal energy, current feasibility of developing a relevant Canadian Statement of Practice for the industry, and key research priorities for Canada. Lisa is excited to bring her experience with ocean renewable energy and dedication to environmental protection to help establish FERN as the lead network for tidal energy environmental research in Atlantic Canada.