Welcome to the Bayfield Institute

The Bayfield Institute in Burlington, Ontario is a national centre of expertise in aquatic biology, freshwater fisheries and navigational charting. In conjunction with the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the Sea Lamprey Control Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the Bayfield Institute serves as a focal point of scientific research in the Central and Arctic Region of the federal department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

The Bayfield Institute represents the DFO presence at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW), a building that was built in 1972 and is now administered by Environment Canada. Approximately one-third of the 600 employees at CCIW are Bayfield Institute scientists, technicians and support staff. Extensive partnering with other government agencies, community groups, university researchers and private industry ensures an efficient and effective approach to research and problem solving.

Great Lakes Research

Within the region's jurisdiction - Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the north slope of the Yukon Territory - lies 73 percent of Canada's fresh water. The conservation of the life it contains, a valuable and vulnerable asset, is a continuing responsibility. In the Great Lakes, DFO conducts research on food webs, control and assessment of sea lamprey populations, effects of changes to fish habitat, impacts of aquatic invasive species and surveillance of toxic chemicals in fish.

Fisheries Management

The management of freshwater fisheries in Ontario is a shared responsibility of the federal and provincial governments. While the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources undertakes the day-to-day management of fisheries, DFO assumes the responsibility for other aspects of the inland fisheries including fish habitat protection and administration of fish health protection regulations in the Fisheries Act.

Fish Habitat Management

The Fish Habitat Management program of DFO administers the fish habitat provisions of the Fisheries Act, in particular those that are aimed at preventing the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat. This is done to conserve, restore and develop the productive capacity of habitats for recreational, commercial and subsistence fisheries both in the freshwater and marine environments.

Canadian Hydrographic Service

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also charged with the responsibility of measuring and charting the physical features of Canada's oceans, seas, rivers and lakes for the purpose of safe navigation. The Canadian Hydrographic Service at the Bayfield Institute fulfills this role by providing electronic and paper charts for marine and inland waterways across Ontario and the Great Lakes, the Prairie Provinces and the Arctic. The Bayfield Institute was named after Admiral Henry Bayfield, a Royal Navy surveyor who conducted the original hydrographic surveys for nautical charts throughout the Great Lakes between 1817 and 1856.

Small Craft Harbours Program

The Small Craft Harbours program provides a network of safe, public harbours serving commercial fishing and recreational boating. Some responsibility for the region's commercial fishing harbours and recreational harbours is currently being transferred to local Harbour Authorities and municipalities. Many communities benefit significantly from the operation of their small craft harbours.

It is because of DFO's broad responsibilities that a wide range of activities related to Canada's freshwater ecosystems, as well as marine and freshwater nautical routes, are conducted by the research and operational staff of the Bayfield Institute. The common goals of all Bayfield Institute staff are the perpetuation and wise use of the fisheries resource and safe navigation through Canada's waters. For more information about the programs and activities run out of the Bayfield Institute, contact us at 867 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6; by phone at (905) 336-6240; or visit our regional website.