Science

The Science Directorate in Central and Arctic Region provides high quality and timely new knowledge, products and scientific advice on Canadian aquatic ecosystems through scientific excellence. The principles that guide the development of this advice include the following:

• Our research provides the knowledge foundation for informed decision making and is grounded in scientific excellence.
• A precautionary approach, coupled with risk analysis, assists us in providing advice.
• Our aquatic resources must benefit both present and future generations.
• Our Canadian waters must be safe for commercial and recreational vessels.
• All sectors of Canadian society must have access to our information.

In Central and Arctic Region, there is an expectation that operational programs including Fisheries Management, Hydrography, Habitat Management, Oceans Programs and Sea Lamprey Control will be supported through the provision of sound advice from researchers in the Science sector.

The Central and Arctic Region covers 64 percent of Canada's area, is bounded by 71 percent of Canada's coastline, and encompasses about 65 percent of Canada's marine waters and 67 percent of the country's fresh waters. Fifty-five percent of Canada's population lives in the Region and, as such, the Region is home to the majority of pleasure boaters and recreational fishers. The Region also supports a significant proportion of commercial shipping. The Great Lakes, in addition to being a key commercial and recreational waterway, represent the water supply for over 30 million people in Canada and the United States.

The extreme diversity of the Region in terms of geography, demographics, species and scientific challenges is mirrored by a diversity of federal responsibilities for fisheries in the different provinces and territories. By virtue of the Constitution, the Fisheries Act, the Oceans Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act, and the Canada Shipping Act, the Government of Canada has legislative jurisdiction over sea coast and inland fisheries, as well as navigational charting. In the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Arctic Ocean, Central and Arctic Region fully exercises its federal mandate. In Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, authority for the day-to-day management of inland fisheries has been delegated to the provinces. However, the federal government retains the responsibility for the conservation and protection of fish habitat.

Arctic Research

• Arctic Fish Ecology and Assessment Research (AFEAR)
• Arctic Marine Mammal Ecology and Assessment Research (AMMEAR)
• Arctic Stock Assessment (ASA)
• Arctic Environment and Contaminants (AEC)

Great Lakes Research

• Fish Habitat Studies
• Trophic Dynamics
• Fisheries Production
• Ecotoxicology

Environmental Science

• Experimental Lakes Area
• Habitat Impacts
• Eric Marshall Aquatic Research Library
• Fish Health Studies

Canadian Hydrographic Service

• Electronic Navigational Charts
• Data Acquisition and New Products
• Product Maintenance
• Technical Services

Sea Lamprey Control

Research Facilities - Central and Arctic Region