The Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada (DFO) and the State Oceanic Administration of China (SOA) signed here on Monday a renewed memorandum of understanding on bilateral ocean science cooperation.

The MOU, signed by Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea and Administrator of the Chinese State Oceanic Administration Sun Zhihui, covers key research areas for joint projects including marine climate, marine pollution, marine environmental protection and fish habitat protection.

Under this agreement, Canadian and Chinese scientists will be able to share facilities and equipment and pursue collaborative research projects on deep sea biodiversity, oceanography and control of marine invasive species.

The MOU also provides for cooperative scientific research that will support an ecosystem approach to oceans management in an effort to understand how to maintain ocean ecosystems in healthy and productive condition, while allowing for sustainable use of the goods and services they provide.

Before its arrival in Ottawa, the Chinese delegation visited the DFO's Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada's largest center for ocean research.