Key Accomplishments

• Led six major projects, and collaborated on others, for the 4^th International Polar Year in support of two themes: science for climate change impacts, and adaptation and the health and well-being of northern peoples.
• Completed charting the inshore route off the Labrador coast to assist in the development of a new chart series and provide valuable information to mariners.
• Carried out research to increase knowledge of critical habitat for vulnerable fish species in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories. The findings will aid in the management of sensitive fish populations and help facilitate sound and timely regulatory review of development proposals.
• Successfully tested a low-cost, low-powered unmanned ocean glider for sampling and surveillance of coastal waters.
• Developed computer models to predict how ocean circulation and environmental conditions affect the spread of sea lice in the Broughton Archipelago. DFO researchers are evaluating the accuracy of these predictions, and also plan to use the models to examine different farm management approaches and the possible distribution of sea lice from wild sources.
• Investigated how environmental factors affect juvenile cod survival.
• Results of DFO research prompted scallop harvesters to develop a more sustainable, rotational fishery plan.
• Established a marine toxicology and radio tagging laboratory at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute.
• Monitored climate change and its impacts in the Labrador Sea, which plays a pivotal role in large-scale ocean climate variability. This research and other monitoring programs will help develop the capacity to predict changes in order to manage Canada's marine ecosystems and resources in the face of climate change.
• Carried out surveys of Canada's east coast waters as part of the Trans North Atlantic Sightings Survey of marine megafauna in the North Atlantic. This information is essential to oceans management, and will help quantify the potential impact of human activities on marine populations (including several at-risk species) and their habitat.
• Provided advice toward the development of the new Resource Management Sustainable Development Framework, which will guide the future of fisheries management in Canada.
• Provided science advice in support of marine protected areas (MPAs), including the establishment of the Bowie Seamount MPA. This work includes identifying candidate sites, providing scientific rationale for new designations and developing monitoring plans for MPAs.