About the Marine Ecosystem and Aquaculture Division

Our staff collect and interpret data during surveys from research vessels, dive studies, remotely operated vessels, aerial surveys and laboratory studies. This information can be used to categorize habitat, determine relative population size and health and identify biological characteristics including genetic traits, diet preference, size or age at maturity, maximum size and age, sex ratio, even susceptibility to disease.

Our work covers a broad spectrum of needs and supports a diverse range of clients. Studies include: assessment of aquatic populations, investigation of diseases of wild or cultured aquatic organisms, development of rearing techniques and standards for fish and shellfish culture, development and improvement of acoustic equipment and analysis. Our studies can be as specific as the life history study of a particular organism, or as vast as the study of climate/ocean interactions or conservation biology.

Research Areas

Stock assessment, ecosystem studies and management advice

• Groundfish
• Shellfish
• Pelagics
• Marine mammals
• Conservation biology
• Ageing lab
• Acoustic sampling of marine and freshwater species
• Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA)

Aquatic animal health

• Parasitology, pathogen genetics, diseases, histology of finfish and shellfish
• Advice on fish introduction and transfer issues

Aquaculture Science

• Aquaculture technology
• Nutrition and biotechnology (CAER facility)
• Ecosystem interactions