Ocean in Action

Read the bio for your role. As you read, think about this question: “What would this person think about having a fish farm or an oil rig near the island?” After the reading, fill in the chart below the bio using quotes that you find particularly interesting that help answer this question.

Part-Time residents (2-4)

Common Characteristics:You invested in vacation property on the island in the last few years. You chose this island for the views, recreation, and also have easy access to town for shopping and dining. You want to be sure that property value on the island doesn’t drop. Therefore, you need to balance your property value with economic prosperity on the island. If more jobs are brought in, your property values will increase, but anything that detracts from the aesthetic appeal potentially will cause it to decrease. At the same time, there may be additional personal economic gains or losses if new industries are brought to the island. You are not from the island, but purchased land there because property values dipped due to economic depression. Because of this, you do not have strong connections to the local population, and would consider selling the land at a profit.

Individual roles: Oil Company Executive – you are an executive of a large oil company that has many

offshore drilling sites all over the coast of N. America. You see economic potential in oil drilling and refining but also see value in maintaining the appeal of this island as a vacation spot. There would be an increase in job opportunities (mostly manual labor) for island residents. You are aware of the risk of oil spills and pipe ruptures, especially near this island due to high storm incidence and strong ocean currents. However, since your company has conducted research into better modes of drilling and transport, fewer than 300 barrels have spilled into the ocean. Links to better grasp your perspective:

o Oil & Gas Journal (current issues): http://www.ogj.com/oil-general-interest/people.html

o Use the search terms oil executive profile to find profiles of oil executives, including the following:

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/14573571-113/frommer- company-oil-western

http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp? personId=2402788&ticker=LEG:CN

Fish Farm Developer – You own three fish farms in various locations on the West Coast, but spend weekends and vacations on the island in a house you inherited from your grandparents. Your grandfather and great-uncles were commercial fishermen who lived on the island. You know that fishing for wild fish stocks is an unreliable source of income and food for a growing population of locals and tourists, and recognize the potential value of introducing a fish farm to the area that could supply a steady source of fish. Your interest in the fish farm has strained relations with commercial and sports fishermen on the island who view the farm in direct conflict with their way of life. You are concerned about your children’s futures as the current fishing industry is in economic peril. To help you get into your role, begin with the following links:

o Explore this company: http://www.marineharvest.ca/about/in-brief/

Ocean in Action

o Executive Director Pamela Parker, Canada’s Fish Farmers Association: http://www.seafoodbusiness.com/articledetail.aspx?id=19649

Marine Ecologist – You come to the island frequently to collect data about the marine environment. You use your property as a part time office and temporary home while on the island. The property is fully solarized and is heated by geothermal heat pumps. In addition to solar panels on the roofs, you have green roofing (covered with plants), which helps with insulation and reduces CO2 in the atmosphere. Over the years you have kept a close eye on the delicate balance of the coastal and marine life that surrounds the island. You are aware of the islands potential for eco-tourism. You are concerned that adding certain industries to the island would hurt the island’s ecosystem. As a scientist, you will use data to make your arguments about the impact of the proposed industries, and you will challenge others' claims unless they have good supporting data. Links to better understand your perspective (use the following job titles to search for more):

o Marine Ecologist profiles: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/03etnoyer/welcome.html

o http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/05auster/welcome.html o Marine Mammal Biologist profileo http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/06laidre/welcome.html

Information from the bio and your outside research (cite!)

What does this information tell you about your views? Do you think a person in your role would support or oppose the fish farm and/or the oil rig – why?