The ocean is the most important global storage depot of carbon on Earth. It holds 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere and soaks up more emissions than all the world’s rainforests combined. But the biology, chemistry and physics of the biggest carbon sink on the planet are changing - and we don’t know exactly by how much.

The Institute’s research directly influences decision-making and policy among regional scientists and diverse stakeholders by promoting best practices in ocean data management and encouraging open data access, helping Fisheries and Oceans Canada delineate conservation priorities for the development of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Atlantic Canada, and predicting marine conditions for ship traffic in Halifax Harbour.

Amongst other initiatives, OFI supported Indigenous-led MPA assessments with the Nunatsiavut government in advising the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization on strategies to rebuild Atlantic mackerel and aided in permit attributions for the Fish Processing Board in NL and aquaculture planning on the South Coast of NL.  

Examples of OFI researchers' national initiatives include the following:  

• Contributed to the Royal Society of Canada Report on sustaining marine biodiversity (law and policy reforms)
• Served as witness in the House of Commons for the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
• Provided expert opinion on environmental issues for the Office of the Auditor General of Canada
• Informed revisions of Marine Personnel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act
• Contributed to a policy submission to the Canada Labour Code for revision on seafarer rights
• Reviewed a precautionary approach framework for DFO work on Northern shrimp
• Hosted the Ballast Water Reporting Form Information System for TC, monitoring commercial shipping activities, and provided real-time location of Right Whales for TC and DFO

Internationally, the Institute supported both research and policy discussions, including:

• Passive acoustic monitoring recommendations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Implementation Team for Right Whale Recovery
• Developed Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for Guyana
• Working with the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea on a long-term management strategy for Norwegian spring-spawning herring
• Developing guidelines on navigational risk management with the Risk Management Working Group of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities
• Providing real-time meteorological and oceanographic data for the World Meteorological Organization

For further information please contact:

Eric Siegel
‍Chief Innovation Officer
Email: eric.siegel@dal.ca
Telephone: +1 902-414-6955