Oceans & Science Branch

(506) 851-6204

• Aquaculture and Environmental Sciences Division
• Oceans and Habitat Division
• Aquatic Resources Division

In the Gulf Region, scientific activity is mainly focused on the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, which has both the richest ecosystem in Canada and the greatest concentration of fisheries and fishers.

The Oceans and Science Branch consists of three main divisions, which are in turn divided into several sections:

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• Access the Aquaculture Web Pages of the Gulf Region

Molluscan Productivity Section

This group conducts research on various species of bivalves, including mussels, oysters, scallops, quahogs and clams, to better understand the links between shellfish productivity and the environment. This information is used to manage the fishery and aquaculture industry in a healthy environment.

• Articles about Molluscan Productivity Section
• Molluscan Productivity Priorities 2003-2004

Shellfish Health Section

The Gulf Fisheries Centre has one of only two laboratories in Canada that specialises in shellfish health. The Shellfish Health Section examines all species of bivalves for parasites, pests and diseases. This information acts as a reference base to determine the best approaches to avoid the introduction and spread of diseases, as well as manage diseases that are already present.

• Articles about Shellfish Health Section
• Shellfish Health Priorities 2003-2004

Finfish Health Section

Each year, scientists test approximately 15,000 fish to identify harmful viruses and bacteria. The data gathered are used for the administration of Fish Health Protection Regulations, which govern the introduction and inter-provincial transfer of salmonids in Canada. The team also test over 1,000 wild fish to determine if they have bacterial or viral diseases or harmful parasites. These tests enable us to monitor disease factors in the wild that could affect both wild and farmed fish populations.

• Articles about Finfish Health Section
• Finfish Health Priorities 2003-2004

Environmental Science Section

The Environmental Science Section conducts research on the potential impact of human activities on fish and fish habitat in the southern Gulf.

The research activities of the Section cover a broad range of issues but can generally be described under the following topics or themes:

• Aquaculture and environment interactions;
• Impact of offshore oil & gas development;
• Impact of physical disruptions;
• Marine environmental quality (MEQ);
• Fate, distribution, and effects of contaminants;
• Harmful algal blooms;
• Marine ecology.

Many research activities are conducted in collaboration with scientists from government departments, both federal and provincial, and from universities. Our scientists also maintain strong professional ties with scientists in the United States and Western Europe.

• Articles about Environmental Science Section
• Environmental Science Priorities 2003-2004

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Assessment Section

The Assessment Section:

• Ensures compliance as stated in the Habitat Management Policy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada: "Protect fish habitat by administering the Fisheries Act and incorporating fish habitat protection requirements into land and water use activities and projects";
• Conducts environmental assessments under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act triggered by regulatory decision under the Fisheries Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act and/or the National Energy Board Act;
• Works on habitat restoration, to achieve an overall "net gain" in the productive capacity of fish habitat.

• Articles about Assessment Section
• Assessment Priorities 2003-2004

Stewardship Section

This section encourages community involvement in management and stewardship. The goal is to raise the level of awareness around the complex relationship between the resource and it's supporting habitats. The program has a number of co-operative arrangements with industry, non-governmental organisations, with other government agencies and produces a variety of information for use by the media and the public, particularly in schools.

The Stewardship Section also provides training and advice to the Conservation & Protection Division in fish habitat and compliance monitoring.

• Articles about Stewardship Section
• Stewardship Priorities 2003-2004

Policy and Program Planning Section

This section is in charge of:

• Developing and implementing programs related to the Oceans Act, including integrated coastal management, marine protected areas (MPA) and Marine Environmental Quality (MEQ);
• Defining and establishing fish habitat objectives and requirements at the watershed management and/or other levels.

• Articles about Stewardship Section
• Stewardship Priorities 2003-2004

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The Marine Fish Section does stock assessments and research on groundfish and herring in the southern Gulf. The main objectives are to determine the abundance, size, age structure, biological characteristics and population dynamics of these stocks. Researchers are especially interested in understanding the ecological associations of fish species, their population structures, predation relationships, growth and ecosystems.

Trawl surveys help determine the abundance and distribution of marine fish and numerous invertebrate species in the southern Gulf. They provide basic data for stock assessments and contribute to the monitoring of oceanographic conditions in the southern Gulf. Surveys of local stock abundance in co-operation with the fishing industry are also done. Acoustic surveys are used to estimate abundance of herring independently of the fishery.

• Articles about Marine Fish Section
• Marine Fish Priorities 2003-2004

Diadromous Fish Section

Diadromous fish spend part of their lives in fresh water and rest in saltwater. Long-term monitoring programs serve as the foundation for the assessment of Atlantic salmon, gaspareau and striped bass stocks in the southern Gulf.

In the Miramichi estuary, the section has been operating reference trapnets since the 1950's to monitor fish populations in open waters. Researchers also study hydrological systems. They focus particular attention on the creation of water temperature models to gain a better understanding of issues relating to freshwater fish growth and climate change.

• Articles about Diadromous Fish Section
• Diadromous Fish Priorities 2003-2004

Snow Crab Section

The primary function of the Snow Crab Section is to assess the abundance and condition of snow crab stocks in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and eastern Nova Scotia each year. In 2002, snow crab landings totalled almost 26,000 tonnes in the Gulf Region and 11,800 tonnes in eastern Nova Scotia.

The snow crab team has been working on a long-term study on trawling in the southern Gulf since 1988 and has been carrying out a similar study in eastern Nova Scotia since 1997.

In addition, the section does research on various aspects of the biological cycle of snow crab, such as growth, reproduction, diseases and movements. The data thus gathered help scientists better understand the population dynamics of this species.

These activities are largely funded through a partnership between DFO and the industry. The snow crab team works closely with the fishing industry and holds frequent informal and consultative meetings; in 2000 - 2001, for example, the two parties met a total of 60 times. In addition, the Section sends out its newsletter Crabwise once a year.

• Articles about Snow Crab Section
• Snow Crab Priorities 2003-2004

Lobster Section

The lobster fishery is one of the cornerstones of the fishing industry in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. There are over 3,000 lobster licence holders in the Gulf Region.

Scientists conduct stock and fishery assessments, and provide advice on conservation measures. They also determine requirements to properly assess lobster and rock crab stocks.

• Articles about Lobster Section
• Lobster Priorities 2003-2004