The ACCESS-BoFEP 2026 Conference program is available here
Abstract
People who live at the coast, and who work in and use coastal and marine spaces for recreation, have unique knowledge of the ocean, including the seafloor. Usually not visible from the surface or easy to reach, exploring, understanding, and using the seafloor required well-honed skills, frequently used by residents of coastal communities. However, local, place-based understanding of benthic spaces are often overlooked in benthic mapping, despite its importance for informing decision-making about the use and protection of the coastal and marine environment. Exploring and documenting the place-based knowledge accumulated by residents of coastal communities can contribute to a holistic understanding of benthic spaces and the connection of coastal communities with the seafloor. Using participatory mapping and semi-structured interviews with recreational and commercial users, this research explores local uses, perspectives, and interpretations of coastal and marine spaces, particularly the benthic environment of the Southern Bight of the Minas Basin seafloor, and the social, cultural, ecological, and economic significance of benthic spaces in the Minas Basin. Mapping tied activities, observations, and experiences to places, as well as documented observed changes. The results from this study can contribute to a holistic understanding of the seafloor, as well as provide insights to understand attachment to place in a changing coastal landscape. This knowledge can be used to support resilient coastal culture and livelihoods, enhance local decision-making, and inform protection strategies for benthic habitats in the Minas Basin.
Citation
Webster, A., & Manuel, P. (2026). Living with the seafloor: Exploring place-based knowledge of benthic spaces in the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia. ACCESS/BoFEP Conference, Sackville, New Brunswick, 19-22 May 2026.
Related Blog Post
Belen, A., Emery Webster, A., Keast, E., Legault, A., Margeson, K., Martinez Calderon, D., & Toze, S. (2026, June 25). “Connecting Communities to Ocean Science”: ACCESS-BoFEP Conference, 19-22 May 2026. EIUI Blog. https://eiui.ca/connecting-communities-to-ocean-science-the-access-bofep-conference-19-22-may-2026/