Details: For a healthier future, we need to ensure that ocean-based economic activities are sustainable for generations to come. This satellite activity will include speakers and facilitated discussions to help raise awareness about the environmental, social and economic importance of fostering a Sustainable Blue Economy.

Speakers: 

○ Ken Paul is a member of the Wolastoqey First Nation in the community of Neqotkuk whose traditional territory is located on the North Atlantic coast spanning the Canada/US border between Maine, New Brunswick and Quebec. Over the past 9 years, has held the positions as National Fisheries Director with the Assembly of First Nations and the Regional Fisheries Director for Atlantic First Nations. Ken has advocated for First Nations regionally. Previously, he had worked for 10 years in ocean mapping with the Canadian Hydrographic Service and 10 years with Parks Canada as a Senior Policy Advisor in Atlantic Canada and the Field Unit Superintendent in the Northwest Territories. 

Ken has worked regionally, nationally and internationally on all aspects relating to fisheries, aquaculture, oceans governance and aquatic resources as they relate to inherent and treaty rights, negotiations, legislation, and policy. This includes Indigenous Knowledge Systems, economic prosperity, community engagement and resource management. Ken has an MBA from St Mary’s University and a BSc from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is a proud and dedicated father of two. 

○ Ronnie Noonan-Birch. During her BSc in marine biology and her experiences working in marine conservation, Ronnie gained a personal understanding of the threats facing our ocean today. She believes that an interdisciplinary approach is how we are going to combat these global threats. Ronnie now looks to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Blue Economy as a framework that will lead to meaningful solutions. She is now pursuing her

Master’s in Environmental Studies to find out how the Blue Economy can be better utilized in Canada. Specifically, to develop a framework that will help decision-makers distinguish the blue economy as a sustainable alternative to the regular ocean economy.