The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), headquartered at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was established in 2015 as a global leader for innovative ocean research.

OFI is designed to bring together groups of Canadian researchers to tackle complex ocean challenges. Research is focused on three key areas: achieving net zero, protecting biodiversity, and sustaining bioresources.

The Institute recognizes that our staff and research community are located on diverse ancestral and traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups. We acknowledge and recognize that the ocean research we undertake and support takes place across Canada and the Atlantic Region and engages a variety of Indigenous communities and cultures.

We recognize and offer our respect to these Inuit, First Nation, and Metis people and their communities. We strive for respectful and meaningful partnerships with all the peoples of this country as we honour this land and, together, search for true healing and reconciliation. We are all treaty people and acknowledge the original Peoples of this land.

OFI's ocean research focuses on:

• Changes — research examines key aspects of atmosphere-ocean interaction, resulting ocean dynamics, and shifting ecosystems
• Solutions — research focuses on effective approaches to resource development that are sustainable, globally competitive, societally acceptable, and resilient to change

OFI research will help:

• Improve prediction and mitigation of major storms
• Manage human activities as they relate to ocean resources
• Improve the potential for fisheries and aquaculture industries to meet global seafood demand in a sustainable manner
• Strengthen marine safety
• Transform how we monitor the ocean with new data capture and IT tools
• Make marine conservation measures more resilient to climate change

Currently, OFI research focuses on the North Atlantic and Canadian Arctic Gateway, which includes the Labrador Sea and eastern portions of the straits of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

The region's unique physical, chemical, and biological processes make it an epicentre of international scientific interest and a predictor for the global ocean. Its deep overturning circulation results in the most intense carbon sequestration on the planet. It has a highly productive marine ecosystem and air-sea interactions that modulate the weather and climate of North America and Europe. Diminished ice cover has increased shipping in the Canadian Arctic, raising sovereignty, security, social, and environmental issues.

‍

The Ocean Frontier Institute is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout our programming, with focus on education and training, capacity building, and meaningful Indigenous engagement.  OFI draws on expertise and guidance from our institutions (Dalhousie, Memorial, UPEI) and through the Advisory Committee on Indigenous Engagement in Ocean Research, and an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility advisory group.  The Institute also draws on best practices from the Government of Canada and Tri-Agency resources such as the Canada Research Coordinating Committee: Strengthening Indigenous Research Capacity strategic plan, Canada Research Chairs, CIHR, NFRF, and NSERC EDI programs (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Research Resources).