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Fisheries and OceansAquatic and marine science plays a very important role in the Canadian social and economic fabric. Coastal communities, mariners, industries, and many individual Canadians rely on sound scientific information and advice in their day-to-day life. Fisheries and Oceans is a world-class scientific and technological organization that is connected with the real world and based on leadership, vision, and dedication to excellence. Future challenges include addressing the government's commitment to sustainable development; understanding climate change in relation to the oceans; expanding aquaculture production in a sustainable manner; responding to species-at-risk legislation; and providing a comprehensive science program in the Canadian Arctic. The Department's science comprises four work activities: Fisheries and Biodiversity Science: The aim is to provide a reliable scientific basis for the conservation of marine, freshwater, and anadromous fishery resources, for protection and recovery of species at risk, and for conservation of biological diversity in aquatic environments. Scientific data on ocean and coastal populations, species, and ecosystems are collected, analysed and communicated in support of fisheries management, integrated resources management, offshore development, and conservation of the aquatic environment. Ocean and Aquaculture Science: Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) scientists investigate the effect of ocean climate variability on the productivity of living aquatic resources and the role of the ocean in the global climate system. They develop the Department's capacity to use modern technologies (e.g., satellites, automated floats) to determine and interpret ocean features such as biological productivity, hydrodynamic processes, and surface and water column properties. Also, DFO scientists pursue aquaculture and fish health research leading to technologies and knowledge to culture new species, to prevent the spread of pathogens, and to ensure the safe development of aquaculture. Habitat Management and Environmental Sciences: The aim is to achieve an integrated, cohesive approach to marine environmental and habitat protection that results in a net gain of habitat. It encompasses the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs, and the administration of statutes related to the protection and conservation of aquatic habitats and the environment. It also involves investigating and monitoring chemical and physical conditions that affect the quality of aquatic environments; collecting, analysing, and interpreting information to support the sustained economic utilization of Canada's renewable aquatic resources; and assessing, approving, and monitoring activities that affect the quality and quantity of fish habitats. Hydrography: The mission of the Canadian Hydrographic Service is to provide a reliable scientific basis to enhance the safety and efficiency of navigation for vessels operating in Canadian waters by undertaking field surveys to measure water depth, bottom morphology, bottom type and composition, tides, water levels, near-surface currents, and sound velocity; and compiling and publishing up-to-date, timely and accurate charts and other navigational information on Canadian and adjacent international waters. Hydrographic data are also used to delimit maritime boundaries and to support the exploration and exploitation of maritime resources. Hydrography is a valuable partner in ocean technology development and applications. Web site: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/home-accueil_e.htm Newfoundland and Labrador RegionNorthwest Atlantic Fisheries CentreFields of Research Fisheries resource assessment and biology of groundfish, pelagic, shellfish, marine mammal, and diadromous species; life history, ecology, and population dynamics; fisheries ecosystems; aquaculture; habitat research and assessment; physical oceanography; hydrography; toxicology; parasitology; environmental and habitat management. Contact Mr. Joe Tillman Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre Maritimes RegionThe Maritimes Region's science staff conducts research vital to protecting Canada 's oceans and fresh water bodies from the effects of pollution and enhancing the ability to understand, conserve and manage these resources. Some research activities are conducted as far north as the Canadian Arctic. Specifically, we perform research on the changing oceans and influences on marine life, the regional aquaculture industry, and the status of commercial species, which remains a staple of our operations. Our oceanographers perform research to understand and predict changes in the environment of the ocean and ocean processes. In addition, we chart, survey, measure and describe Canada 's waters and tides to facilitate commercial navigation and fishing activities, as well as map the ocean floor. Demand for nautical products, such as electronic charts and sea floor maps, continues to grow as Atlantic sealanes become busier, fishing becomes more high-tech, and interest increases in ocean development projects. Our science operations support many other regional DFO operations such as Fisheries Management and Oceans and Habitat. For example, in Fisheries Management, we perform essential research in monitoring, sampling and tagging aquatic species to determine size, age and egg production. DFO research contributes to and uses knowledge from world sources and from collaborative research with local, national and international research institutions and universities. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/main_e.htm St. Andrews Biological StationFields of Research Aquaculture research (salmonids, marine finfish, invertebrates); stock assessments and associated research (groundfish, pelagic fish, invertebrates); environmental research related to fisheries and aquaculture; coastal oceanography. Contact Dr. Robert L. Stephenson St. Andrews Biological Station Bedford Institute of OceanographyFields of Research Population Ecology Division – Research into the population dynamics of groundfish, large and small pelagic fish, seals, and endangered marine mammals and turtles; biodiversity and ecosystem analyses related to the impact of anthropomorphic activity on the marine environment; and evaluation of the impact of commercial fisheries on fish abundance and advice on management. Field and laboratory research on the assessment of diadromous fish populations, their genetics, and factors limiting production. Recent emphasis has been on “listed” and equally vulnerable populations, esp. Atlantic salmon, Atlantic whitefish and striped bass. American shad, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeons, and American eel are deserving of attention. Preservation (live gene banks) and possible restoration of threatened populations (salmon and whitefish) is being facilitated through research at the Division’s biodiversity facilities (hatcheries). Stock assessment of marine and anadromous fish; population dynamics; population biology; ecology; genetics of wild stocks; fisheries management studies; Aboriginal fisheries; modelling. Population biology and assessments of commercial invertebrate species, particularly snow crab and lobsters; invertebrate population modelling. Contact Dr. Ross Claytor Bedford Institute of Oceanography Fields of Research Ocean Sciences Division – Physical: dynamics, climatology modelling, mixing on continental shelves, deep sea and nearshore air/sea interaction; sea ice. Biological: biological and Environmental mechanisms underlying marine production, pelagic marine ecology; fisheries ecology. Technical development: applied physics studies towards development of physical, chemical, and biological sensors. Contact Dr. Peter C. Smith Bedford Institute of Oceanography Fields of Research Ecosystem Research Division – Marine habitat studies: inshore/offshore molluscan studies; impact of fisheries on fish habitat; and contaminant fluxes in Arctic food webs; sublethal effects of hydrocarbon exploration. Ecology: development of ecological models; and benthic-pelagic exchanges, biological and environmental mechanisms underlying marine production. Biochemical indicators of health of aquatic animals, detection and risk assessment of organic chemicals in fish and environment samples. Chemical: inorganic and radionuclide matter. Contact Dr. Tom Sephton Bedford Institute of Oceanography Fields of Research Hydrography: The Canadian Hydrographic Service has three pillars to their its mandate – marine transportation, seabed mapping, and sovereignty and security. The mandate is met with paper and electronic charts and publications; seabed imagery and 3-D models of ocean and lake beds to support integrated management of these submerged lands for exploration, exploitation and conservation; and employing the science of hydrography in the delimitation of marine boundaries to support Canadian security and sovereignty. Areas of research include: depth measurement by acoustical and optical methods; tidal phenomena; precise positioning (Global Positioning Systems); electronic navigation charts; hydrographic data collection, validation of data from a number of sources, data management, data integration, computer aided cartography (CAC); geographic information systems (GIS) and partnering with government, industry and academia to promote hydrography as basic infrastructure domestically and internationally. Contact Mr. J. Richard MacDougall Bedford Institute of Oceanography Fields of Research Habitat Management Division – Mechanisms of harmful algae blooms and improvements in forecasting of related toxic events. Toxic contaminants in fish. Contact Mr. Paul Boudreau Bedford Institute of Oceanography Gulf RegionGulf Fisheries Centre(Bilingual work environment) Fields of Research Aquaculture and Environment Sciences – Finfish and shellfish health, and aquaculture of mussels, oysters, scallops and quahogs. Research on invasive species, contaminants, harmful marine algae and marine environmental quality. Fisheries Sciences and Aquatic Resources – Stock assessment, population biology and fisheries management of snow crab, lobster, cod, plaice herring, Atlantic salmon, smelt, rock crab, gaspereau and American eel in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, including Aboriginal fisheries. Studies on “listed” and equally vulnerable populations like striped bass and winter skate. Oceans and Habitat – Habitat, integrated management, marine protected areas and aquatic ecosystem health in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Contact Dr. Mike Chadwick Web Page site: http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-e.html P.O. Box 5030 Laurentian RegionMaurice Lamontagne InstituteFields of Research Fish and Marine Mammals Branch – Fisheries research, stock assessments of fish; scientific advice for optimal management of stocks; fisheries oceanography; effects of environmental conditions and trophic relationships on the survival and growth of juvenile fish; population dynamics; fisheries acoustics, bioacoustics; genetics; physiology; energetics; migrations; ecology of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Biology of marine mammals: systematics and genetics, ecology, energetics, and behaviour. Distributions, movements, and population dynamics. Contact Mr. Serge Gosselin Fields of Research Invertebrates and Experimental Biology Branch – Invertebrate fisheries research, stock assessment of invertebrates and fish; scientific advice for optimal management of stocks; aquaculture research (scallops, mussels, cold water fish etc.); effects of environmental conditions and trophic relations on growth and survival of invertebrates; population dynamics; genetics; physiology; energetics; migrations; ecology of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Contact Dr. Dominique Gascon Fields of Research Ocean Sciences Branch – Biological oceanography: biomass and primary production processes; secondary production processes; zoo- and ichthyoplankton larval recruitment relationships; general ecosystem studies in the estuarine and coastal environments. Physical oceanography: circulation and mixing due to freshwater influx; wind and tides; internal waves; remote sensing; numerical modelling. Chemical oceanography: carbon flux process. Contact Dr. Jean-Claude Therriault Fields of Research Environmental Sciences Branch – Contaminants science; marine geochemistry; water-sediment-biota interactions; ecotoxicology and pathology of aquatic organisms; analytical chemistry; hydrocarbons. Marine ecosystem health and habitat science. Contact Mr. Michel Gilbert Fields of Research Marine Geomatics Engineering Division, Canadian Hydrographic Service – Depth measurement by acoustical methods; tidal phenomena; precise positioning (Global Positioning Systems); electronic navigation chart; hydrographic data collection, protection, and management; computer aided cartography (CAC); geographic information systems (GIS). Contact Mr. Bernard Tessier 850 route de la Mer Central and Arctic RegionFreshwater Institute Science LaboratoryFields of Research The Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba, houses several programs of DFO. It is a national center centre of expertise in aquatic biology, and freshwater and marine fisheries. In conjunction with the Bayfield Institute in Burlington, Ontario, the Freshwater Institute serves as a focal point of scientific research in the Central and Arctic Region and for fishery, fish habitat and ocean management programs that are operated primarily through area and district offices. Extensive partnering with Aboriginal groups, other government agencies, community groups, university researchers and private industry ensures an efficient and effective approach to research, management and problem solving. Contact Mr. Terry Shortt Central and Arctic Region Fields of Research Ecosystem studies on the Great Lakes focusing on lower trophic dynamics and food Web interactions; impacts of exotic species on diversity, production and energy flow; risk assessment to prevent further introductions; the effects of habitat alteration on the productive capacity of fish habitat; new toxic chemicals in Great Lakes fish and monitoring of the spatial and temporal trends of contaminant levels in aquatic biota; effects of toxic chemicals on ecosystem structure and function; effects of aquaculture on freshwater ecosystems; and research to protect and recover species at risk. Contact Mr. Victor Cairns Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries Pacific RegionInstitute of Ocean SciencesFields of Research Physical oceanography of processes occurring in fjords and over the continental shelf of the Northeast Pacific and Western Arctic; large-scale ocean circulation; sea ice-ocean interaction; numerical modelling; remote sensing. Chemical oceanography on distribution, flux, and fate of chemicals and processes between sediment, biota, atmosphere, coastal waters, and open ocean; climate research; monitoring and modelling on air-sea flux and upper-deep ocean exchange of CO2, climatic gases, and biogeochemical cycles. Biological oceanography with major emphasis on phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic infauna; mesoscale distribution of organisms and interactions with physical forcing such as advection and mixing, light adaptation of phytoplankton; zooplankton feeding and swimming behaviour; habitat and carrying capacity; fish-forestry interactions. Contacts Dr. Robin Brown Dr. John Pringle Institute of Ocean Sciences Pacific Biological StationFields of Research Stock assessments and population dynamics of salmon, herring, groundfish, and marine invertebrates; recruitment mechanisms; salmonid enhancement science; aquaculture of salmon and marine finfish; parasites and fish health; habitat and carrying capacity; fish-forestry interactions; biotechnology and applied endocrinology; DNA stock identification. Contacts Dr. Don Noakes Ted Perry Pacific Biological Station |
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