On September 26, 2005 I solicited peer review and feedback on my Terra Nova oil spill web page with the following questions put to some of my colleagues:
"Is the web page fair and accurate?
Does the page perform a useful function?
Is it a scholarly product worthy of the Biology Department, Memorial University and my research network ACWERN?
Should the page be moved off my ACWERN web site?
Should links to a similar page be allowed on my ACWERN web site?
Should anything be changed on the web site, if so, what?
And please write a 'testimonial' sentence that sums up your critical review of this site."
Date: September 26, 2005 12:26:24 PM CDT
To: ijones@mun.ca, mcolbo@mun.ca, dinnes@mun.ca, tmiller@mun.ca, mont@mun.ca, lhermanu@mun.ca
In response to Dr Jones request, I have inspected the website about the Terra Nova oil spill in Nov 2004
[http://www.mun.ca/acwern/TerraNova.html ]
In my professional opinion, and as one who has used webpages for educational purposes for many years:
The web page appears fair and accurate, so far as I am aware of facts of the case; the style is factual, informative and non-inflammatory.
The page performs a useful function, that of alerting the community to the circumstances of an oil spill, and raising a set of reasonable questions
The material is of scholarly quality, similar to those I post or set links to on my own website on scientific issues of the day, and certainly falls within Dr Jones expertise as a seabird ecology expert
The subject covered, oil spill damage to seabirds, seems quite relevant to ACWERN, and as such belongs on an ACWERN website sponosred by the University. There is an appropriate disclaimer, that views expressed don't necessarily represent the views of ACWERN, MUN or other bodies.
Making links to outside webpage is a normal part of most webpages; these appear throughout my own webpages, and include links to sites whose views I disagree with, and whose accuracy I cannot attest.
The author has clearly indicated his willingness to make any changes required in the interest of accuracy.
I see nothing in particular that requires change.
Dr Jones is to be applauded for assembling a timely, informative set of web materials on what appears to be a major ecological disaster affecting his area of professional interest, sea bird ecology. I encourage him to continue the website.
Dr. Steven M. Carr, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology, MUN
Member-at-Large, Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
Associate Member of ACWERN
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Subject: web page
Date: October 3, 2005 10:45:18 AM CDT
To: ijones@mun.ca
Ian Jones
The web page on the Terra Nova oil spill is a critical discussion of an issue
that is important to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and internationally as
it affects migratory species. It is very important that such issues and points
of view be voiced, especial in a free democratic society and even more so by an
academic in a university setting. I absolutely back Dr. Ian Jones's right to
post such information and the University must not allow pressure to be exerted
to limit this type of expression. I see nothing in this document that provides
erroneous facts. Others of course may have a different interpretation but that
is what free and open speech and debate promotes in order to better understand
complex issues.
It is thus equally important that any critique of a persons posted views may
also be available. In this case it could be a link to other views of the event
discussed. This stimulates debate and education about issues that is the
backbone of a free society and even more critical within an academic context.
Thus I would wish this type of discussion on many issues in our society be
encouraged to inform and encourage public input in to all environmental,
social, economic and political issues which face us in the 21st century
Murray H. Colbo
Professor of Biology
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Date: September 28, 2005 12:45:06 PM CDT
To: ijones@mun.ca
Hello Ian:
I have viewed your site and have the following comments:
Is the web page fair and accurate? YES - The site gives an accurate chronology of what has transpired after the spill, as is availabe in the public domain.
Does the page perform a useful function? Given that there are no other sources publicly available to obtain this vital information regarding the conservation of our seabirds and other fauna, it is critical. I can only compare our response to what is publicly availabe in the United States.
Is it a scholarly product worthy of the Biology Department, Memorial University and my research network ACWERN? Yes it is a scholarly activity, most certainly given that your Chair is concerned with seabird ecology and conservation.
Should the page be moved off my ACWERN web site? NO. However I would suggest that the link to seabird conservation be explicitly presented.
Should links to a similar page be allowed on my ACWERN web site? Yes.
Should anything be changed on the web site, if so, what? As I indicated above, presenting the link to your the focus of your ACWERN Chair and seabird conservation would be instructive.
Given your position as the ACWERN Chair, I believe it would be remiss for you NOT to have some type of link to the effects of oil spills, and as an obvious extension, to present the current situation as to the reporting and clean-up of oil spills on your webpage. Conservation by definition involves all aspects of seabird persistence and viability, and should include the legislation, policy and enforcement issues surrounding threats to seabird survival. Your position is provide science - based analyses of those threats.
Luise Hermanutz,
ACWERN Associate
Assoc. Prof, Biology, MUN
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Date: September 26, 2005 11:24:16 AM CDT
To: ijones@mun.ca
Ian,
Is the web page fair and accurate? Appears to be.
Does the page perform a useful function? yes
Is it a scholarly product worthy of the Biology Department, Memorial University and my research network ACWERN? Webpages form a useful purpose for the dissemination of information. I wouldn't classify webpages as "scholarly" in the same sense as a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Should the page be moved off my ACWERN web site? no
Should links to a similar page be allowed on my ACWERN web site? yes
Should anything be changed on the web site, if so, what? You could set up a section of the webpage to post comments, feedback and criticism.
The public should be informed as much as possible about any oils spill and recovery efforts. If people reading your webpage find problems and inaccurate information, they should inform you.
David
David J. Innes
Department of Biology, Memorial University
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, A1B 3X9
Ph: 709-737-4754, Fax: 709-737-3018
email: dinnes@mun.ca, webpage: http://www.mun.ca/biology/dinnes/research.html
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Subject: Your site
Date: September 28, 2005 2:39:14 PM CDT
To: ijones@mun.ca
Cc: mcolbo@mun.ca, dinnes@mun.ca, mont@mun.ca, lhermanu@mun.ca, scarr@mun.ca
Dear Ian,
I believe that it is vital for independent scientists to bring their scholarly
knowledge and insights to bear on environmental problems, to help mitigate or
solve them, and to communicate to non-specialists and the general public about
them. Dr. Ian Jones is a world expert on seabird biology and ecology. He has
posted a summary of information about the Terra Nova oil spill in Newfoundland
in 2004 in relation to its potential impact on seabirds
(http://www.mun.ca/acwern/TerraNova.html). He is providing a valuable service
in making information available and linking disparate sources of information.
Other benefits lie in his having analyzed and identified possible problems with
how information about the spill was obtained and communicated to the general
public; how the spill was responded to; and how scientific
information/methodology for assessing short- and long-term effects was
inadequate. The site is open, and Dr. Jones explicitly requests feedback on
errors or omissions, to improve on accuracy and comprehensiveness of the
picture. The site serves the highest interests of seabirds, the environment,
and transparent constructive communication. I believe that Dr. Jones has
displayed exemplary scientific conscience and standards by setting up and
maintaining this site.
The writing, information, and references to authorities/sources are interesting,
succinct, and generally good. However two things strike me about how the
information is presented, that I feel could be revised to make the overall
delivery come across as less confrontational and judgmental.
(1) The bases for many statements are unclear. For example, how do you know:
€ "About two hours later, with no new information and no presence on siteŠ"
€ "No Canadian Coast Guard ships responded to the spill."
€ "Drift blocksŠwere not deployed until several days afterŠ"
Maybe the information in from sources you cite, but if so this is not clear.
(2) There are many examples of non-neutral language or language that will be
taken as interpretive, judgmental, or condemnatory -- which all seems
unnecessary as the facts speak for themselves. Examples:
€ "down-grading the spill". This will imply to most readers that the potential
impact of the spill was purposefully (publicly) under-estimated. You could
simply say that the figure was 10-20% below the amount reported first.
€ "too late to be of any use". Again, these are fighting words &endash; and
unnecessary.
€ "no serious attempt". Judgemental and sarcastic.
I'm not suggesting that you alter content. In fact I feel that content would be
enhanced if you edited the material to remove snide comments and make the tone
more even.
Dr. Edward H. Miller, Associate Professor
Biology Department
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's NL A1B 3X9
CANADA
(phone 709-737-4563; fax 709-737-3018)
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Subject: review of website
Date: September 26, 2005 3:08:27 PM CDT
To: ijones@mun.ca
Ian,
I have examined your web site:
http://www.mun.ca/acwern/TerraNova.html
I believe that it serves a useful function of combining data from many sources to allow an informed decision to be made about an issue.
Statements that are made are referenced to sources that can in general be checked.
The presentation appears to be fair.
All the best, RAM
Prof. Ransom A. Myers (RAM)
Department of Biology, Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3Z6
phone: 902-494-1755
fax : 902-494-3736
email: Ransom.Myers@Dal.Ca
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Date: September 26, 2005 3:10:52 PM CDT
To: ijones@mun.ca
In review of the website http://www.mun.ca/acwern/TerraNova.html at the
request of Ian L. Jones.
Is the web page fair and accurate?
As a non-expert in this field, I am unable to determine if the page is
fair or accurate. However, the web-page seems to within the realm of a
reasonable examination of the events as depicted.
Does the page perform a useful function?
The page certainly documents a series of events and in doing so it may
raise awareness not to mention a number of questions. This is no doubt
that this is an "opinion piece", however it is an educated opinion of a
scholar in the field.
It is the responsibility of the scientists in any field to address
policies that influence that field
Is it a scholarly product worthy of the Biology Department, Memorial
University and my research network ACWERN?
Although open to scholarly criticism, the web-page addresses an event, the
response to that event and the aftermath of both. It seems to be clearly
within the domain of the Atlantic Cooperative Wildlife Ecology Research
Network.
As part of an open process, I would recommend inclusion of the measures
taken by various parties to apply pressure to remove this web-page as part
of the web material. This may provide those interested in similar matters
a glimpse into this process.
Should the page be moved off my ACWERN web site?
As the chair of the Atlantic Cooperative Wildlife Ecology Research
Network, Dr. Jones is morally obligated to present this material as part
of his academic responsibilities.
Should links to a similar page be allowed on my ACWERN web site?
See above.
Should anything be changed on the web site, if so, what?
1) Please make certain that the disclaimer is more prominent.
2) You may wish to include an example of an argument that is counter to
Dr. Jones. Perhaps, one that addresses the advantages of such events upon
the ecology of Atlantic wildlife.
3) Do indicate, in a balanced manner any feedback, positive and negative,
including those that have lead to your request for input.
The site located at http://www.mun.ca/acwern/TerraNova.html seems to be
clearly within the realm of what a chair of the Atlantic Cooperative
Wildlife Ecology Research Network should be doing. The clear bias could
be addressed by presenting a "pro-pollution" argument, however, this would
be difficult to accomplish without descending into farce. Perhaps those
that oppose the material could provide such a counterpoint for the
web-site.
Dr. Brian E. Staveley, B.Sc. (Guelph), M.Sc. (Guelph), Ph.D. (Alberta)
Associate Professor of Biology (with tenure)
Department of Biology email: bestave@mun.ca
Memorial University of Newfoundland telephone: 709 737-4317
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador A1B 3X9 telefax: 709 737-3018
Canada laboratory: 709 737-4366
http://www.mun.ca/biology/desmid/brian/BES.html flyroom: 709 737-7944