BioMarine 2008 Places BC’s Ocean and Marine Science in World’s SpotlightFrom October 22-24, LifeSciences British Columbia put BC’s marine and ocean science in the international spotlight at BioMarine 2008 in Marseille, France. We were delighted to work with the BC Innovation Council and the organizers of the newly-established international BioMarine Conference to lead the BC delegation.BioMarine’s impressive collection of presenters garnered frequent international media attention. BBC World Debates (detailed info) were held daily, and each featured a roster of impressive world experts. International dignitaries made frequent visits to the conference and met with industry leaders in attendance. The line-up of presentations from the globe’s elite scientists included discussions on oceans, the environment, energy, geopolitics and many other fields. BC’s experts shone with those from the rest of the world on the same stage.  LifeSciences BC President Karimah Es Sabar greets European Commissioner with BioMarine President Pierre Erwes as international media takes note In Marseille, LifeSciences BC was also raising profile for BioMarine 2009, which we will co-host in Vancouver next year. Many of our international colleagues are already onboard for this event, so be sure to save October 11-14 2009 for BioMarine 2009 in Vancouver, at the Vancouver Exhibition and Convention Centre. Contact Barry Gee to get involved right away. In joining our international colleagues at this forum, LifeSciences BC positioned BC as an oceans and marine leader, and the key location for collaborating on important maritime and marine issues in the future. The research to advance ocean sustainability for the world are being found right here.  Some members of the BC Delegation at our conference display. Left to right: Phil Herd, David Dolphin, Karimah Es Sabar, Jennifer Siegfried, Soren Harbel, Patrick Marshall An exceptional conference program was offered that brought together 200 internationally renowned contributors to offer 50 sessions; round table discussions, R&D updates and public forums. BC’s speakers included Canada Research Chair in Biology at the University of Victoria Verena Tunnicluffe’s who discussed major advances in subsea cabled observatories. She detailed findings from VENUS, UVic’s on-line, real-time ocean floor observatory. Mairi Best, Associate Director of Science at NEPTUNE, presented on UVic’s cabled ocean observatory – the world’s largest – and its integrated interdisciplinary data for knowledge-based solutions. When complete in 2009, NEPTUNE’s interactive system will collect integrated data from the ocean shelf to the deep sea, and will allow scientists to capture the temporal nature, characteristics and linkages of natural processes in a way never possible before. David Dolphin, Chair, Genome BC and Professor Emeritus, UBC was a panelist on a blue fishing and aquaculture session. David noted that studying a fish’s genome has many applications, including early disease and contamination detection, and a better understanding of how toxins like oil affect marine ecosystems. Martin Taylor, President and CEO of Ocean Networks, Canada moderated a session on food we will be obtaining from the oceans in 2020, where four world experts discussed the future of the world’s food supply.  Martin Taylor moderating the panel "Year 2020: What food will we be getting from the oceans?" Chris Campbell, Executive Director, Ocean Renewable Energy Group Canada, was a panelist in a session on the hunt for alternatives to oil. He pointed out that oceans are the biggest collector of solar energy and gravity, which means it’s possible they could replace all the electricity in the world.  Chris Campbell addresses the auditorium at BioMarine on ocean energy sources - photo courtesy oceanmarinespace.com Gerry Salembier, Assistant Deputy Minister at Western Economic Diversification Canada moderated a session on Europe’s motorways of the sea – outcomes of the new regulations for shipping lines that were initially conceived to reduce congestion on Europe's roads. For more information on these and other conversations held at BioMarine 2008, please consult the final report, which contains summaries of major sessions and recommendations from the conference. Download the final report.  Soren Harbel, Alexei Pushkov, and Karimah Es Sabar at BioMarine While in Marseille, LifeSciences BC was pleased to join host BC Innovation Council and international delegates at their VIP dinner, held at Restaurant Miramar, one of Marseille’s premier restaurants. This was a very special evening where guests enjoyed some of France’s best cuisine and one another’s company. Among the guests was Jean-Michel Cousteau, descendant of the famous Jaques Cousteau.  BioMarine delegates including Soren Harbel and Chris Campbell converse with Jean-Michel Cousteau “BioMarine 2008 was an impressive gathering of world experts. This is an excellent forum for the discussions the world needs right now - a tremendously valuable meeting and I look forward to Biomarine 2009 in Vancouver," commented David Dolphin, Chair, Genome BC. Members of the British Columbia Delegation were: • LifeSciences BC • BC Innovation Council • Genome BC • Maritime Forces Pacific • University of Victoria - VENUS & NEPTUNE • Ocean Renewable Energy Group • Oceans Networks Canada • Tourism Vancouver • Western Economic Diversification • Cooperative Ocean Innovation Network (COIN Pacific) • Ocean Industries British Columbia • Vancouver Economic Development Commission  Conference attendees mingle in the exhibition hall About Biomarine BioMarine is a unique international forum that brings together business, science, government, civil society and media to advance ocean sustainability. This international platform for dialogue include a large number of interactive world-class conferences, debates and a business convention. BioMarine’s mission is to draw out innovative solutions to ensure the sustainable development of sea and ocean-based activities, by bringing all maritime communities together. For the first time, international stakeholders from the industrial, scientific and political worlds came together at BioMarine to look at key maritime and marine issues.  BioMarine President Pierre Erwes welcomes delegates  |
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