| Resource Purpose |
The members of the Mackenzie River Basin Board (MRBB) are pleased to present, in accordance with Section 2.0 of the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement, the first Mackenzie River Basin State of the Aquatic Ecosystem Report 2003 (SOAER). This comprehensive report will:
• provide Ministers with an understanding of the current state of the aquatic ecosystem of one of the largest river basins in the world;
• inform basin residents and decision-makers about the ecological integrity of the entire Mackenzie River watershed;
• identify gaps and inconsistencies in knowledge and monitoring practices and point towards possible improvements; and
• highlight the value of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as an integral component in ecological assessment.
As a multi-jurisdictional Board, the MRBB is very pleased with the way individuals from several agencies came together to collaborate on this report, drawing from existing research and TEK reports. These efforts have resulted in a document that is relevant and useful for decision-makers, residents and others with an interest in the Mackenzie River Basin. A major finding of the report is that the aquatic ecosystem in the Mackenzie River Basin is generally healthy. Nevertheless, the report raises concerns about a number of information gaps, environmental trends, and monitoring and management practices. After reflecting on these findings, the MRBB felt it worthwhile to provide comments on these findings. |
