Ocean Sciences Annual Report 2014-2015(CNIE) at the CNIE-RCIE & CAUCE 2015 Conference in Winnipeg....

TO BECOME THE

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

IN COLD OCEAN BIOSCIENCE

Ocean Sciences Annual Report 2014-2015

VISION:

OCEAN SCIENCES ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015 1


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Academic Thanks to the considerable efforts of Dr. Chris Parrish our Department’s most important accomplishment over the past year was to obtain Senate approval of our two Minor programs within the Faculty of Science: “Oceanography” and “Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries”. These programs were developed with the Departments of Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics and Physical Oceanography, and with the School of Fisheries at the Marine Institute. Honours Congratulations to Dr. Annie Mercier who received an Excellence award from the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education for the development of our first year course OCSC 1000 “Exploration of the World Ocean” and to Dr. Richard Rivkin who was awarded the Ocean Carbon Chair Professorship at Xiamen University of Technology, Fujian Province, China. Research funding External research and development funding approximated $2.7 million of which $470,000 came from CFI’s Leading Edge fund for the construction of the Cold-ocean Deep-sea Research Facility. NSERC awards totalled $528,454 of which $299,000 was from Discovery grants. These funds enabled the faculty to maintain a high level of research productivity by way of peer reviewed publications (50) and training of highly qualified personnel (HQP): 6 MSc and 1 PhD student successfully completed their degrees. 2014-2015 saw a total of 122 HQP receive training in various aspects of ocean sciences: this included 7 post-doctoral fellows, 26 PhD students and 32 MSc students. Curriculum Development Now that we have established two Minor programs it is now incumbent upon us to develop a Major in Ocean Sciences. Dr. Annie Mercier, who will become Deputy Head in September (2015) has volunteered to lead this endeavour as chair of our Undergraduate Studies Committee. We wish her and the committee every success in accomplishing this within the 2015-2016 academic year. Our vision: “To Become the International Centre for Research and Education in Cold Ocean Bioscience” can it be accomplished? Garth L. Fletcher, Head and Professor Emeritus “Nothing is impossible. Obviously there are things that cannot be done — of course. But most things we want to have happen, that we think are just too hard to go after —they are often within our grasp”. Allan Hawko Bell Island NL


Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 2

HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................................................................................................. 4

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS ............................................................................................................................ 7

DR. JOE BROWN GRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD IN AQUATIC ECOLOGY AND AQUACULTURE ............. 10

OTHER AWARDS ......................................................................................................................................... 11

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................... 12

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2014-2015 ................................................................................................................ 18

A. RESEARCH ........................................................................................................................................... 18

B. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO INDUSTRY ............................................................................................ 19

C. AQUACULTURE AT OCEAN SCIENCES ................................................................................................. 20

D. TEACHING ........................................................................................................................................... 23

E. PUBLICATION: 2014-2015 ACADEMIC YEAR ...................................................................................... 25

F. HIGHLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ......................................................................................................... 31

G. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, INVITED LECTURES ........................................................................... 39

FACULTY PROFILES ..................................................................................................................................... 47

OCEAN SCIENCES REPORTS ........................................................................................................................ 62

COLD-OCEAN DEEP-SEA RESEARCH FACILITY .................................................................................... 62

DR. JOE BROWN AQUATIC RESEARCH BUILDING .............................................................................. 64

ENGAGEMENT/PUBLIC OUTREACH ................................................................................................... 67

SEAL FACILITY .................................................................................................................................... 70

FIELD SERVICES UNIT .......................................................................................................................... 71

SAFETY COMMITTEE ........................................................................................................................... 73

VISITORS ............................................................................................................................................. 74

ADMINISTRATION .............................................................................................................................. 78

COMMITTEES ..................................................................................................................................... 79

FACULTY .............................................................................................................................................. 81

STAFF ................................................................................................................................................... 83

STUDENT ASSISTANTS ........................................................................................................................ 85


HIGHLIGHTS

Senate approved the Department of Ocean Sciences minors in Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries Ecology and Oceanography on February 10th, 2015.

Ocean Sciences wraps up a successful hands-on marine diversity program for high-school students. The Department of Ocean Sciences, in collaboration with the Oceans Learning Partnership, offered high school students and their teachers an opportunity to discover the diverse and fascinating world of ocean science.

The hands-on learning program was delivered to more than 370 students over the six-week period at Memorial’s Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) in Logy Bay. Thirteen schools participated from St. John’s, Torbay, Mount Pearl, Avondale, Bonavista, Conception Bay South and Bell Island.

Artwork unveiled in honour of the late Dr. Arthur May. The OSC held a small unveiling event on Thursday, July 2, 2015 for a painting donated to the university by Mr. Carl Stevenson, a close family friend of the late Dr. Arthur May and his wife Sonja. Dr. May was President and vice-chancellor Memorial University 1990-1999. Sonja and Carl pictured alongside the painting.


Memorial to receive funding to enhance aquaculture industry.

Memorial University is among 12 industry-academic partnerships that received funding through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP), announced Oct. 15 by The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) in Guelph, Ontario.

“This is great news for the region,” says Dr. Steve Armstrong, President and CEO of Genome Atlantic, a not-for-profit corporation that helps the region benefit from genomics. “It’s a clear example of how genomics - the powerful combination of biology, genetics and computer science - can provide innovative solutions to some of our most important industry challenges.”

The Biomarker Platform for Commercial Aquaculture Feed Development project is a $3.8-million partnership co-led by Dr. Richard Taylor, senior research scientist at EWOS Innovation, the R&D arm of EWOS, the world-leading fish feed producer, and Dr. Matthew Rise, Associate Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Marine Biotechnology in the Department of Ocean Sciences at Memorial University. The team will use genomics technologies to assess the effects of various diets on fish health at the molecular level. The highly-detailed information will help EWOS Innovation fine-tune feed formulas that include non-marine products such as land-based plants to maximize fish performance and to develop clinical feeds that will combat disease.

Dr. Garth Fletcher renewed as Head of the Department of Ocean Sciences. Dr. Fletcher was renewed as the Head of the Department of Ocean Sciences for another three year term effective July 2015. This is Dr. Fletcher third term as head/Director of the OSC.

Online Ocean Science course receives national award for use of technology. Dr. Annie Mercier, Department of Ocean Sciences, with assistance from DELT was recognized with a national award for its innovative use of educational technology

in online courses. On May 28, DELTS accepted awards from the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) at the CNIE-RCIE & CAUCE 2015 Conference in Winnipeg. Oceans 1000: Exploration of World Ocean, received the Award of Excellence and Innovation in the Integration of Technology in Instructional Design/Teaching and Learning for the incorporation of Prezi as an exploration tool in an online environment.


OSC, Field Services Unit (FSU) diver, Mr. Robert O’Donnell Retires

After 35 years with the Ocean Science Centre’s field services unit, diver Robert (Bob) O’Donnell has hung up his dry suit for the last time.

The dive shop, now maintained by dive technicians Andrew Perry and George Bishop, first opened at Memorial in the early 70s. Mr. O’Donnell joined the

team in 1978 and estimates he has spent about 6,000 hours in the water since that time.

The crew collaborates mainly with faculty in Ocean Sciences and Biology who require particular

specimens for research and teaching. They also collect coastal marine invertebrates for the Ocean Sciences Centre’s public education program, which sees an outdoor touch tank on display to the public from June to September at the Logy Bay facility.

New scientific diving course puts marine life at students' fingertips In June 2015 a group of undergraduate and graduate students braved the three-degree waters of the Atlantic Ocean daily for two weeks as part of a new course.

The students came from four academic disciplines - Biology, Archaeology, Psychology and Geography – and

were participating in the first offering of OCSC-4000 Scientific Diving Methods. The course, taught by Dr. Patrick Gagnon, an associate professor with the Department of Ocean Sciences, took place in and around the St. John’s area.

He says the idea behind the course was to take students who were already certified recreational divers and show them how to do science underwater using scuba techniques.

The course taught students to safely apply knowledge about equipment and methods used for data collection in underwater scientific research, as well as the skills to plan and execute surveys and experiments with marine organisms in major subtidal habitats.


DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Board of Directors visit Memorial University On November 24th, 2014 a number of Board members from CFI visited both the Medical Education Centre, Faculty of Medicine, and

the Cold-Ocean Deep-Sea Research Facility (CDRF) at the Ocean Sciences Centre. The purpose of their visit was to understand the function of each of the CFI founded projects and follow-up on project completion dates.

Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee visits OSC. On February 20th, 2015 the federal Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans visited the OSC as part of a study on the regulation of aquaculture, current challenges and future prospects for the industry in Canada. The Committee planned a one-day fact-finding mission to visit 4 aquaculture research and development facilities in St. John’s, NL. Senators Manning (Chair), Hubley (Deputy Chair), McInnis, Meredith and Wells were in attendance along with Odette Madore (Library of Parliament Analyst), Nancy Durning (Communications Officer), Max Hollins (Committee Clerk), Tiffany Caron (Director, Legislation and Parliamentary Affairs sector of DFO) and Robyne Martel (Senior Policy Advisor Legislation and Parliamentary Affairs sector of DFO).

Visiting Scholar visits OSC Dr. Keith Hipel, President of the Academy of Science, Royal Society of Canada (RSC) and University Professor in Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo visited the OSC on March 9th, 2015. During his visit to Memorial, Professor Hipel has given presentations and met with various members of the university community. (Photo L-R, Dr. Fletcher, Dr. Hipel, Ms. Danielle Nichols, Dr. Ke)


Labrador High School Students visit MUN’s Ocean Science Centre.

Approximately 26 high school students from Natuashish and Sheshatshiu in Labrador visited the OSC on May 14th, 2015. The student had an opportunity to visit MUN main campus, the Marine Institute, and the Ocean Sciences Centre to get a feel for what is expected and available to students entering a post-secondary institution. It was the first such visit to MUN for a graduating class from these communities, and it turned into quite an adventure that was highlighted by a visit to the Ocean Sciences Centre.

Adam Gobi, founder and CEO of SULIS Subsea Corporation. Adam Gobi visit the OSC to understand a little more about our research capacity and potential collaborations, particularly our educational outreach activities with the Oceans learning Partnership (OLP). Adam Gobi is the founder and CEO of SULIS Subsea Corporation, a Newfoundland-based engineering firm that focuses on creating imaging technology for ocean science and exploration. In 2011, he served as lead camera engineer for James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGE (DSC) project.

Supervisory Skill Development Program Closing Ceremony On June 2nd, 2015, the Human Resources (HR) Department at Memorial University held its closing ceremony for the Supervisory Skills Development Program (SSDP). Mr. Stephen Dodge, Director HR, was on hand to present certificates to all the graduates from the program.


Rune Andreassen and Toril Tefre from HIOA (Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences) visit OSC researchers and Facilities.

Drs. Rune Andreassen and Toril Tefre from HIOA visited the OSC on July 27th, 2015 as they were interested in meeting with others researchers on campus to discuss expanding their current collaborations with Memorial. They are working with the High North Program and one of the grants at Memorial related to a collaboration with HIOA (Høgskolen i Oslo go Akershus) or Oslo and Akershus University College.

Dr. Ingo Wehrtmann and Dr. Yolanda Camacho from the University of Costa Rica. On June 29th, 2015 the MUN Internationalization Office requested the OSC to host two visiting scientist, Drs. Wehrtmann and Camacho from the University of Costa Rica, to our facilities. They were keenly interested in establishing research collaborations with Memorial, as well as, developing exchange programs for undergraduate and graduate students between the two Universities.

Dr. Tim Nedwed, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company (URC) In August 2015, Dr. Charles Randell, President and CEO of C-CORE, accompanied Dr. Tim Nedwed from ExxonMobil URC to the OSC Facilities. ExxonMobil URC are looking at establishing a Centre of Excellence for oil spill research in the province. The first phase is a massive oil-in-ice laboratory with a 100m long wave/ice tank. Phase 2 is extensive fate and effects laboratory as the corner stone for a research program to study the effects

of oil, dispersants on various marine organisms. C-CORE was contracted to determine where this Centre will be or if existing resources could be utilized, with the OSC being one of the main facilities of interest to the group.


DR. JOE BROWN GRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD IN

AQUATIC ECOLOGY AND AQUACULTURE This award was established to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Joe Brown through initial contributions by his family, friends, colleagues and students. As a Professor (Research) at the Ocean Sciences Centre from 1984 to 2005, Joe established a unique reputation both for his scholarly work in the areas of behavioural ecology of fishes and cold-water aquaculture and for his radiant,

passionate sense of humour, humanity and empathy, particularly concerning students. The award in support of research activities will normally be available annually to a full-time graduate student in the second or subsequent year of study in the areas of aquatic ecology or aquaculture, and is valued at a portion of the income from the endowment. Given on the basis of scholarly merit and quality of research, the award will be made by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies upon recommendation from the Head of the Department of Ocean Sciences.

Peter Westley 2009-2010

Andrew Vickerson 2007-2008

Marieve Desjardins 2008-2009 Tiago Hori 2008-2009

Wasiim Kader Bathia 2011-2012

Michelle Fitzsimmons 2012-2013

Daria Gallardi 2013-2014

Johnathan Ebel 2014-2015


OTHER AWARDS

Faculty and Staff Awards Annie Mercier Award of Excellence and Innovation in the Integration of Technology in Instructional Design/Teaching and Learning from the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE). Richard Rivkin Ocean Carbon Chair Professorship, Xiamen University, China

Student Awards Tyler Brown (MSc) Research and Development Corporation (RDC) Ocean Industries Student Research Award, 2013-2015. Sabrina Inkpen (MSc) Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies, Memorial University, 2015. Xi Xue (MSc) Research and Development Corporation (RDC) Ocean Industries Student Research Award, 2012-2014; Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies, Memorial University, 2014. Emy Montgomery (PhD) Awarded a NSERC PGS-D in Animal & Plant Biology. Bruno Gianasi (MSc) Awarded an RDC OISRA fellowship Matt Osse (MSc) Mitacs-Accelerate Award Camilla Parzanini (PhD) WAMUN PhD scholarship

Conference Awards

Mallory Van Wyngaarden (MSc) Won third prize for student oral presentation at the Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution Meeting in Saskatoon from May 21-25th.

mailto:[email protected]


FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

The Department of Ocean Sciences is a complex of buildings which are maintained by Memorial University (MUN) Facilities Management. The faculty and staff are supported by an annual operating budget from the Faculty of Science consisting of two components: a) OSC operating expenses and b) the public education program including the seal facility. MUN Technical Services provides technical support for scientific equipment. Research activities are supported by grants and contracts to faculty and staff. Research and development carried out at the Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building (JBARB) and the Cold-Ocean Deep-Sea Research Facility (CDRF) operate on a user fee, cost recovery basis. Funding for the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) 2014-2015 was as follows: Details of grants and contracts see Table1

Facilities Management $ 2,834,805.36

OSC operating (Faculty of Science) $ 3,269,529.00

Public education/seals $132,032.00

Technical Services $62,000.00

NSERC Strategic Grants $124,873.00

NSERC Discovery Grants $299,000.00

NSERC Other $104,581.00

CREAIT $211,384.00

CFI $473,623.00

Other Research Grants $1,400,960.00

MUCEP/ISWEP Students $17,382.00

JBARB Revenue $297,709.00

CDRF Revenue $3,252.00

Total $9,231,130.36

Note: Clockwise Starting with Facilities Management

Facilities Management

OSC Operating Funds

PEP/SEALS

Tech Services

NSERC Strategic

NSERC Discovery

NSERC Other

CREAIT

CFI

Other Research Grants

CDRF

JBARB Revenue

MUCEP/ISWEP Students


FIGURE 1: RESEARCH FUNDING FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015

Alfred P Sloan Foundation- Census of Marine Life Genome Atlantic – Cod Genomics AIF/ACOA – Atlantic Innovation Fund/Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency IRIF: Industrial Research & Innovation Fund – Research & Development Corp. of NL CCFI: Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation CFI: Canada Foundation for Innovation DFO: Dept. of Fisheries & Oceans Aquanet: Canadian Centre of Excellence: Administrative location & Aquaculture Research NSERC: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: discovery, strategic, equipment grants JBARB: Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building (note: 2001-2003 total approx.) CDRF: Cold-Ocean Deep-Sea Research Facility

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

$ M

illio

ns

CDRF Revenue

JBARB Revenue

Other

Alfred P Sloan

Genome Atlantic

AIF/ACOA

IRIF

CCFI

CFI

DFO

Aquanet

NSERC


Grant and Contract History A summary of the OSC research funding over the past 14 years is presented in Figure 1.

The 1999-2000 fiscal year is the earliest for which we have a relatively complete picture of the grants and contracts received by the OSC and various faculty. Although we have not yet found such information for earlier years it is unlikely that external funding exceeded that of the $1.2 million obtained during 1999-2000.

Research and development funds for the 2000-2001 fiscal year were more than double that of 1999-2000 and have continued to remain at or above this level to the present. This considerable increase in funding is largely attributable to the Aquaculture Research and Development Facility (renamed Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building [JBARB]). Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Kevin Keough, funds to construct this facility ($2.7 million) were made available from the Aquaculture component of the Canada-Newfoundland Economic Agreement. The building was officially opened in 1999, and in the year 2000 $1.2 million in funds from CFI were provided to fully equip the JBARB and develop a business plan that would enable the facility to operate on an effective cost recovery basis. The 2000-2001 year also saw the arrival of funds to establish the AquaNet research network with its headquarters at the OSC.

Three major projects stand out in the OSC funding history: Halibut and cod aquaculture, cod genomics and construction of the Cold Ocean Deep Sea Research Facility (CDRF).

The halibut and cod aquaculture development project, funded by AIF in partnership with industry and OSC faculty was carried out over a six year period (2002-2008) for a total of $5 million. This project resulted in the production of an elite broodstock of cod.

The cod genomics project was funded by Genome Canada/Genome Atlantic over a four year period (2006-2010) for $4.3 million. The aim of this project was to identify genes that will be of value in selective cross breeding programs to produce rapidly growing more disease resistant cod for aquaculture.

The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), through its Leading Edge Fund, the Research and Development Corporation (RDC), the Provincial Government and Memorial University have committed over $22.6 million over a five year period (2009-2014) for the construction of new deep-sea water line and fully equipped building for the study of deep-sea organisms, invasive species and infectious diseases of importance to both fisheries and aquaculture. An installment of $703,462 was made to this project during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.


Table 1: RESEARCH FUNDING 2014-2015 FISCAL YEAR

Grants Received Total Administered OSC

NSERC Discovery $299,000.00

NSERC Strategic $124,873.00

NSERC Other $104,581.00

RDC $548,175.00

DFO/DFA $92,069.00

ACOA $108,830.00

CFI $473,623.00

Other $651,887.00

JBARB Revenue $297,709.00

CDRF Revenue $3,252.00

Total Awards $2,703,998.00


0

20

40

60

80

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140

160PhD

MSc

PDF

Visiting Students

Seal volunteers

Teaching Assistants

MUCEP/ISWAP/WISE students

Student Assistants

Grant staffYear

Figure 3: Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) 2002-2014

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f H

QP

Figure 2Faculty, Graduate Students and Publications

Academic Year (September 1 - August 31)

1999-2000

2000-2001

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

2014-2015

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Combined (MSC & PhD enrolled)

# M.SC. enrolled

# Ph.D.enrollled

Publications Peer Reviewd

Year vs # Degreed students (cummulative)

Year vs Faculty


ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2014-2015

A. RESEARCH

Publications Research efforts of the faculty and students resulted in 64 publications, 50 in peer reviewed journals, 9 in book/ book chapters, and 5 in technical reports or conference proceedings. A summary of the number of publications appearing in peer reviewed journals over the past 16 years is presented in Figure 2 along with the number of Ocean Sciences faculty and graduate students. On average the Ocean Sciences faculty has published approximately 62 publications per year over the past 16 years. Conferences 81 presentations were given by faculty and students at Canadian and International conferences/workshops held in 16 countries, including Canada, USA, England, Norway, Ireland, China, Australia, France, Portugal, Russia, Czech Republic, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica and Sweden. Participation in such conferences helps to establish the excellence of ocean science at Memorial University. Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) One PhD and six MSc students successfully completed their degrees during the 2014-2015 academic year. In addition Ocean Sciences Faculty supervised seven Post-doctoral fellows, 26 PhD students, and 32 MSc students. A summary of HQP trained at the OSC over the past 13 years is presented in Figure 3. On average the OSC contributes to the training of 140 HQP annually, either as students (full and part time), volunteers or laboratory research staff. A summary of the numbers of graduate students who graduated or were supervised by OSC faculty over the past 16 years is presented in Figure 2. The numbers of PhD and MSc students for the years 1999-2002 is unavailable at this time and therefore only the combined totals for these years are presented. The number of degreed students is plotted as a cumulative total from 1999 to 2015. This sixteen year record indicates that the Ocean Sciences faculty supervises, on average, 58 graduate students, 11 of whom graduate each year.


B. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO INDUSTRY Most of the applied research and development at the OSC is conducted in both the Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building and the Cold-Ocean Deep-Sea Research Facility (CDRF) in conjunction with industry and government partners.

The application of using cunners and lumpfish to control sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)

infestation of Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland.

Developed best practices for culturing American Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) from broodstock

grow-out.

Development of best practices for Orange Footed Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) holding

and diet.

Development of best practices for lobster (Homarus americanus) holding and diet development.

Developing Camelina Meal for the Aquaculture Industry.

Scientific Rapid Image Acquisition System (SRIAS) for Aquaculture Smart Tank Technology at the

Joe Brown Aquaculture Research Building.

Development of best practices for feed testing for Aquaculture Industry.

Developed best practices with respect to using pop-up satellite and telemetry with Atlantic cod.

Develop best practices in terms of a biomarker platform for commercial aquaculture feed

development.

Develop best practices in terms of developing biomarker technology that can be used to assess

the potential effects of hydrocarbons on fish species that are of commercial and/or ecological

importance to Newfoundland and Labrador.


C. AQUACULTURE AT OCEAN SCIENCES

Aquaculture has been an active area of research and development at the Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) of Memorial University for nearly five decades. In recognition of the OSC’s role in establishing and growing the industry it was presented with the Founder’s award by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association in 2011. In addition to working with the aquaculture industry, Ocean Sciences faculty train highly qualified personnel (HQP) many of whom enjoy careers working for the industry and/or the Provincial and Federal Departments of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Total production and value of Newfoundland aquaculture products in 2014 were 9,240 metric tonnes and $59 million, respectively, and this resulted in employment for approximately 1000 people annually. For an overview of the history of aquaculture at Ocean Sciences, please refer to the Department of Ocean Sciences Annual Report 2013-2014. Recent Projects Aquaculture Feed Development

2010-2015-Camelina: The Next Canadian Oilseed for Fish Feed investigated the potential use of camelina as a replacement for fish oil and fish meal in aquaculture feeds. Carried out in partnership with Minas Seed Co-operative Ltd., Atlantic Oilseeds Processing Ltd., Cooke Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Saskatchewan, Genome Prairie. Funded by ACOA; Province of Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture; Province of New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Agriculture and Bioproducts Innovation Program. $6.1 million in funding.

2014-2017 -Molecular Biomarker Platform for Commercial Aquaculture Feed Development.

EWOS Innovation. The aim of the project assess the effects of various diets on fish health at

a molecular level. The team will use genomics technologies and lipid biochemistry to fine-

tune feed formulas that include non-marine products (such as land based plants) for

maximizing fish performance and to develop clinical feeds that will combat disease. As the

research and feeding trials with various diets continue at Memorial, other feeding trials in

this project are also ongoing at EWOS Innovation in Norway. $3.8 million in funding from

Genome Canada and Ewos Innovation.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/home/download/Annual_Report_2013-2014Final.pdf

http://www.mun.ca/osc/home/download/Annual_Report_2013-2014Final.pdf


Cleaner Fish (Cunner & Lumpfish)

2013-2016 - Developing tools, and solutions, to mitigate and control sea lice on cultured Atlantic salmon. Carried out in partnership with Cold Ocean Salmon Inc. Funded by ACOA, Research Development Corporation (RDC), CFI and Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA). $1.7 million in funding.

American Oysters

2013-2015-Culturing American oysters. The aim of this project is to produce a genetically viable stock that can be cultured in Newfoundland. Carried out in collaboration with the Marine Institute, Badger Bay Mussel Farms Ltd., and Merasheen Oyster Farms Inc. Funded by National Research Council (NRC)-IRAP and CCFI $138,000 in funding.

Sea Cucumber

2015-2018- Exploring the potential for sea cucumber aquaculture and enhanced management of the wild resource. The aim of this project is to conduct research in order to enhance the general knowledge, the sustainable management, and the marketability of the sea cucumber resource in NL $ 57,000 funding by the Research and Development Corporation (RDC) - Ocean Industries Student Research Award (Dr. Annie Mercier).

Lobster

2014-present Lobster Grow-Out - Use of American lobster, Homarus americanus in Multitrophic Aquaculture. The proposed project is a combined lab and field study investigating feeding, nutrient assimilation and growth rates of cage-held adult lobsters under different temperature and feeding regimes. Funded by NSERC and CCFI. (Dr. Iain McGaw).


D. TEACHING

The faculty continues to provide instruction and training to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate level programs. Courses taught 2014-2015 academic year.

Dr. Ian Fleming Biology 7000: Being a Researcher in the Biological Sciences

Dr. Patrick Gagnon OCSC-2000: Introductory Biological Oceanography OCSC-4000: Scientific Diving Methods OCSC-7200: Adaptations to the Marine Environment (contributed lectures)

Dr. Kurt Gamperl Biology 4601: Functional Biology of Fish OCSC 7200: Adaptions to the Marine Environment (Co-taught) Aquaculture 6100: Finfish Aquaculture (guest lecture)

Dr. Iain McGaw Biology 3640: Environmental Physiology Biology 7640: Environmental Physiology OCSC 2001: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (Co-taught) OCSC 7200: Adaptions to the Marine Environment (Co-taught) Biology 3820: Fundamentals of Biology Harlow field course (Co-taught) Biology 4900: Vertebrate Diversity Harlow field course (Co-taught)

Dr. Annie Mercier OCSC 1000: Exploration of the World Ocean OCSC 4122: Advanced Studies in Marine Animal Diversity

OCSC 7100: Biological Oceanography (Lecture)

OCSC 7200: Adaptations in the Marine Environment (1 module)

Dr. Chris Parrish Biochemistry 4211: Biochemical Research Techniques II (Guest Lectures Ocean Sciences 7200: Adaptations to the Marine Environment (Guest Lectures)

Dr. Matthew Rise OCSC 7200 : Adaptations to the Marine Environment (module) Aquaculture 6100: Finfish Aquaculture (Guest Lecture) MED 6114: Topics in Virology (Guest Lecture)

Dr. David Schneider Biology 4605: Quantitative Methods in Biology Biology 7220: Advanced Quantitative in Biology Biology 7932: Advanced Quantitative Methods in Biology

Dr. Paul Snelgrove Biology 3710: Biological Oceanography (Co-taught)

Dr. Joe Wroblewski Biology 4750: Fisheries Ecology (Undergraduate) OCSC 2001: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (Undergraduate) (Co-taught) OCSC 7400: Fisheries Resource Management (Graduate) Environmental Science: 6009 Project Report


E. PUBLICATION: 2014-2015 ACADEMIC YEAR

Refereed Journals

Adey, W.; Halfar, J.; Humpheys, A.; Suskiewicz, T.; Bélanger, D.; Gagnon, P.; Fox, M. (2015). Subarctic rodolith beds promote longevity of crustose coralline algal buildups and their climate archiving potential. Palaios. 30: 281-293. Baillon, S.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2014). Diversity, distribution and nature of faunal associations with deep-sea pennatulacean corals in the Northwest Atlantic. PLoS ONE, 9(11): e111519. Baillon, S.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Protracted oogenesis and annual reproductive periodicity in a deep-sea octocoral. Marine Ecology, early view. Beirão, J.; Purchase, C.F.; Wringe, B.F.; Fleming, I.A. (2015). Inter-population ovarian fluid variation differentially modulates sperm motility in Atlantic cod Gadus morhua. Journal of Fish Biology 87: 54-68. (doi:10.1111/jfb.12685). Bradbury, I.R.; Bowman, S.; Borza, T.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; Hutchings, J.A.; Berg, P.R.; Rodríguez-Ezpeleta, N.; Lighten, J.; Ruzzante, D.; Taggart, C.; Bentzen, P. (2014) Long distance linkage disequilibrium and limited hybridization suggest cryptic speciation in Atlantic cod. PLoS ONE 9: e106380. Campbell, L.A.; Bottom, D.L.; Volk, E.C.; Fleming, I.A. (2015). Correspondence between scale morphometrics and scale and otolith chemistry for interpreting juvenile salmon life histories. Transactions of American Fisheries Society 144: 55-67. Chia, M.A.; Lombardi, A.T.; Melão, M.G.G.; Parrish, C.C. (2015).Combined nitrogen limitation and cadmium stress stimulate total carbohydrates, lipids, protein and amino acid accumulation in Chlorella vulgaris (Trebouxiophyceae). Aquatic Toxicology 160: 87–95. Costa, I.A.S.F.; Hein, T.W.; Secombes, C.J.; Gamperl, A.K. (2015). Recombinant interleukin-1ß induced vasodilation of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) coronary microvessels: Effect of temperature and role(s) of the endothelium, nitric oxide and prostaglandins. J. Exp. Biol. 218: 2269-2278 Costa, I.A.S.F.; Hein, T.W.; Gamperl, A.K. (2015). Cold-acclimation leads to differential regulation of the steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) coronary microcirculation. Amer. J. Physiol. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 308: R743-R754 Craig, A.D.; Elstner, M.; Smith, N.C.; Moores, E.S.; Hogan, A.M.; Christian, S.L. (2015). “Dynamic Regulation of CD24 Expression and Release of CD24-Containing Microvesicles in Immature B Cells in Response to CD24 Engagement.” Immunology (June 9). doi:10.1111/imm.12493.


Dawe, J.; Schneider, D.C. (2014). Consilient knowledge in fisheries: a case study of three species of wolffish (Anarhichadidae) listed under the Canadian Species at Risk Act. Ecology and Society 19 (3): 26. Driedzic, W.R. (2015). Rainbow smelt – the unusual case of cryoprotection by sustained glycerol production in an aquatic animal. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 185:487-499. Evans, M.L.; Hori, T.; Rise, M.L.; Fleming, I.A. (2015). Transcriptomic responses of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to environmental enrichment during larval rearing. PLOS ONE 10(3):e0118378. (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0118378). Frey, D.; Gagnon P. (2015). Thermal and hydrodynamic environments mediate individual and aggregative feeding of a functionally important omnivore in reef communities. PLoS ONE. 10(3): e0118583. Gale, K.S.P.; Gilkinson, K.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Patterns and drivers of asteroid abundances and assemblages on the continental margin of Atlantic Canada. Marine Ecology, 36: 734-752. Gianasi, B.L.; Verkaik, K.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Novel use of PIT tags in sea cucumbers: promising results with the commercial species Cucumaria frondosa. PLoS ONE, 10(5): e0127884. Hall, J.R.; Clow, K.A.; Rise, M.L.; Driedzic, W.R. (2015). Cloning and characterization of aquaglyceroporin genes from rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) and transcript expression in response to cold temperature. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 187, 39-54. Hamel, J.-F.; Montgomery, E.M.; Mercier, A. (2015). Range extension for the deep-sea scale worm Neopolynoe acanellae (Verrill, 1881) in Canada. Marine Biodiversity Records, 8: e9. Hedges, K.; Abrahams, M.V. (2015). Hypoxic refuges, predator-prey interactions and habitat selection by fishes. J. Fish Biol. 86: 288-303. Hilário, A.; Metaxas, A.; Gaudron, S.M.; Howell, K.L.; Mercier, A.; Mestre, N.; Ross, R.E.; Thurnherr, A.M.; Young, C. (2015). Estimating dispersal distance in the deep sea: challenges and applications to marine reserves. Frontiers in Marine Science, doi: 10.3389/fmars.2015.00006. Hixson, S.M.; Parrish, C.C.; Wells, J.S.; Winkowski, E.M.; Anderson D.M.; Bullerwell, C.N. (2015). Inclusion of camelina meal as a protein source in diets for farmed salmonids. Aquaculture Nutrition doi: 10.1111/anu.12276.


Hori, T.S.; Alzaid, A.; Rise, M.L.; Hall, J.R.; Gamperl, A.K. (2015). Cold-induced changes in stress hormone and steroidogenic transcript levels in cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus), a fish capable of metabolic depression. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.07.007 Inkpen, S.M.; Hori, T.S.; Gamperl, A.K.; Nash, G.W.; Rise ML. (2015). Characterization and expression analyses of five interferon regulatory factor transcripts (Irf4a, Irf4b, Irf7, Irf8, Irf10) in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Fish and Shellfish Immunology 44(1), 365-381. Kelly, N.I.; Alzaid, A.; Nash, G.W.; Gamperl, A.K. (2014). Ontogenetic effects on thermal tolerance and metabolic depression in cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus). PLoS One. 9(12): e114765. doi: 10. 1371/journal.pone.0114765 McDonald, M.; Mannion, M.; Pike, D.; Lewis, K.; Flynn, A.; Brannan, A.M.; Browne, M.J.; Jackman, D.; Madera, L.; Power Coombs, M.R.; Hoskin, D.W.; Rise, M.L.; Booth, V. (2015). Structure-function relationships in histidine-rich antimicrobial peptides from Atlantic cod. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes 1848(7), 1451-1461. Neff, B.D.; Garner, S.; Fleming, I.A.; Gross, M.R. (2015) Reproductive success in wild and hatchery male coho salmon. Royal Society Open Science (doi: 10.1098/rsos.150161). Lamarre, S.G.; Saulnier, R.J.; Blier, P.U.; Driedzic, W.R. (2015). A rapid and convenient method for measuring the fractional rate of protein synthesis in animal tissues using a stable isotope tracer. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol. 182:1-5.

Lecours, V.; Devillers, R.; Schneider, D.C.; Lucieer, V.L.; Brown, C.J.; Edinger, E.N. (2015) Spatial scale and geographic context in benthic habitat mapping: review and future directions. Marine Ecology–Progress Series 535: 259–284. doi: 10.3354/meps11378 Legendre, L.; Rivkin, R. B. (2014). Flows of biogenic carbon within marine pelagic food webs: roles of microbial competition switches. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 521: 19-30. Doi:10.3354/meps11124 Legendre, L.; Rivkin, R. B.; Weinbauer, M.; Guidi, L.; Uitz, J. (2015). The microbial carbon pump concept: potential biogeochemical significance in the globally changing ocean. Progress in Oceanography. doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2015.01.008 Louhi, P.; Robertson, G.; Fleming, I.A.; Einum, S. (2015). Can timing of spawning explain the increase in egg size with female size in salmonid fish? Ecology of Freshwater Fish 24: 23-31. (doi: 10.1111/eff.121210). McCain, J.S.; Cull, D.J.; Schneider, D.C.; Lotze, H.K. Long-term shift in coastal fish communities before and after the collapse of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ICES Journal of Marine Science doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsv216

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25481869


McGaw, I.J.; Clifford, A.M.; Goss G.G. (2015). Physiological responses of the intertidal starfish Pisaster ochraceus, (Brandt, 1835) to emersion at different temperatures. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 468: 83-90 Morris, C.J.; Green, J.M.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; Pennell, C.J.; Ollerhead, L.M.N. (2014) Temporal and spatial migration of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) inside and outside a marine protected area and evidence for the role of prior experience in homing. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 71(11): 1704-1712 Parrish, C.C; Hixson, S.; Wijekoon, M.; Anderson, D. (2014). Plant lipid, protein use in cod, salmonid diets. Global Aquaculture Advocate, November/December pp72-74. Parrish, C.C., Nichols P.D. Pethybridge, H., Young, J.W. (2015). Direct determination of fatty acids in fish tissues: quantifying top predator trophic connections. Oecologia 177: 85–95. Parrish, C.C.; Pethybridge, H.; Young, J.W.; Nichols P.D. (2015). Spatial variation in fatty acid trophic markers in albacore tuna from the southwestern Pacific Ocean - a potential 'tropicalization' signal. Deep-Sea Research II 113: 199–207. Pelster, B.; Wood, C.M.; Speers-Roesch, B.; Driedzic, W.R.; Almeida- Val, V.; Val, A. (2015). Gut transport characteristics in herbivorous and carnivorous serrasalmid fish from ion poor Rio Negro water. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 185:225–241. Pérez-Casanova, J.C.; Webb, M.; Lush, L.; Parrish, C.; Costa, I.A.S.F.; Hamoutene, D. (2015). Effects of broodstock diets on growth of larval Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.). Aquaculture International 23: 1063–1070. Pethybridge, H.R.; Parrish, C.C.; Morrongiello, J.; Young, J.W.; Farley J.H.; Gunasekera, R.; Nichols P.D. (2015). Spatial patterns and temperature predictions of tuna fatty acids: tracing essential nutrients and changes in primary producers. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0131598. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131598 Powell, M.D.; Gamperl, A.K. (2015). Effects of Loma morhua (Microsporidia) infection on the cardiorespiratory performance of Atlantic cod. J. Fish. Dis. doi: 10.1111/jfd.12352 Rise, M.L.; Nash, G.W.; Hall, J.R.; Booman, M.; Hori, T.S.; Trippel, E.A.; Gamperl, A.K. (2015). Variation in embryonic mortality and maternal transcript expression among Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) broodstock: a functional genomics study. Marine Genomics. 18A: 3-20. St-Pierre, A. P.; Gagnon, P. (2015). Wave action and starvation modulate intra-annual variation in displacement, microhabitat selection, and ability to contact prey in the common sea star, Asterias rubens Linnaeus. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 467:95-107.


Stanley, R.R.E.; Bradbury, I.R.; DiBacco, C.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; Thorrold, S.; Killen, S. (2015) Environmentally mediated trends in otolith composition of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ICES Journal of Marine Science 72 (8): 2350-2363. St-Pierre, A. P.; Gagnon, P. (2015). Effects of temperature, body size, and starvation on feeding in a major echinoderm predator. Marine Biology. 162:1125-1135. Sun, Z.; Hamel, J.-F.; Parrish, C.C.; Mercier A. (2015). Complex offspring size effects: variations across life stages and between species. Ecology and Evolution 5: 1117–1129. Wang, G.; McGaw, I.J. (2014). Use of serum protein concentration as an indicator of quality and physiological condition in the lobster, Homarus americanus (Milne-Edwards, 1837). Journal of Shellfish Research. 33: 805-813 Xue, X.; Hixson, S.M.; Hori, T.S.; Booman, M.; Parrish, C.C.; Anderson, D.M.; Rise, M.L. (2015). Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) liver transcriptome response to diets containing Camelina sativa products. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part D: Genomics and Proteomics 14, 1-15. Zanuzzo, F.S.; Urbinati, E.C.; Rise, M.L.; Hall, J.R.; Nash, G.W.; Gamperl, A.K. (2015). Aeromonas salmonicida induced immune gene expression in Aloe vera fed steelhead trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Aquaculture 435, 1-9. Zanuzzo, F.S.; Urbinati, E.C.; Nash, G.W.; Gamperl, A.K. (2015). Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) metabolic rate is affected by dietary Aloe Vera inclusion, but not by mounting an immune response against formalin-killed Aeromonas salmonicida. J. Fish Biology. 87(1):43-53 Book and Book Chapters McGaw, I.J.; Reiber, C.L. (2015). Circulatory Physiology. Pages 199-246. In: The Natural History of Crustaceans. Vol. 4. Physiology. Edited: E.S. Chang and M. Thiel Mercier, A.; Hamel, J.-F. (2015). Lunar periods in the annual reproductive cycles of marine invertebrates from cold subtidal and deep-sea environments. In: Annual, lunar, and tidal clocks. H. Numata and B. Helm (eds). Springer, INVITED. Yang, H.; Hamel, J.-F. ; Mercier, A. (Eds) (2015). The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: history, biology and aquaculture. Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science Vol. 39. Academic Press (Elsevier). Wang, Q.; Zhang, T.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Chapter 6 Reproductive biology. In: The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: History, biology and aquaculture. Yang H., J.-F. Hamel and A. Mercier (eds). Academic Press (Elsevier).


Liu, S.; Sun, J.; Ru, X.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Chapter 7 Broodstock conditioning and spawning. In: The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: History, biology and aquaculture. Yang H., J.-F. Hamel and A. Mercier (eds). Academic Press (Elsevier). Qiu, T.; Zhang, T.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Chapter 8 Development, settlement and post-settlement growth. In: The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: History, biology and aquaculture. Yang H., J.-F. Hamel and A. Mercier (eds). Academic Press (Elsevier). Xu, Q.; Mercier, A.; Hamel, J.-F. (2015). Chapter 10 Feeding, digestion, nutritional physiology and bioenergetics. In: The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: History, biology and aquaculture. Yang H., J.-F. Hamel and A. Mercier (eds). Academic Press (Elsevier). Yu, Z.; Yang, H.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Chapter 14 Larval, juvenile and adult predators. In: The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: History, biology and aquaculture. Yang H., J.-F. Hamel and A. Mercier (eds). Academic Press (Elsevier). Zhang, L.; Song, X.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Chapter 16 Aquaculture, stock enhancement and restocking. The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: History, biology and aquaculture. Yang H., J.-F. Hamel and A. Mercier (eds). Academic Press (Elsevier). Technical Papers, Reports, Conference Proceedings, Magazines Boyce, D.; Ang, K.P.; George, S. (2015). Cleaner Fish Mission to the United Kingdom and Norway. The Cold Harvester, NAIA Magazine, winter, Pages 10-11. Conand C.; Polidoro, B.; Mercier, A.; Gamboa, R.; Hamel, J.-F.; Purcell, S. (2014). The IUCN Red List assessment of aspidochirotid sea cucumbers and its implications. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin 34:3-7. Gianasi, B.L.; Mercier. A. (2014). Fishery and aquaculture of sea cucumbers in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Cold Harvester, Fall 2014: 29. Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier. A. (2014). Spectacular sponges. 2015 Annual Coral & Reef USA: 64-73 (came out in summer 2014). Hu, D.; Ackerman, G.E.; Bailey, C.S.N.; Duffy, D.C.; Schneider, D.C. (2015) Hawaiian Petrel Monitoring Protocol - Pacific Island Network. Natural Resource Report NPS/PACN/NRR—2015/993. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado


F. HIGHLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

Post-Doctoral Fellows Richard Allen (P. Snelgrove) Tara Connelly (Deibel) Stephen Mayor (Schneider) Tommy Norin (K. Gamperl) Dr. Nurgül ŞEN ÖZDEMİR (C. Parrish) Ben Speers-Roesch (W. Driedzic) Albert Caballero Solares (M. Rise) Degreed Students Ian Hamilton Biology- M.Sc. (I. Fleming/M. Abrahams) Examining the Relationship between Juvenile Lemon Sharks and their Coastal Creek Nurseries. Anne Provencher St-Pierre - Biology - MSc (P. Gagnon) Controls of displacement and feeding in the common sea star Asterias rubens Gouqiang Wang- MSc (I. McGaw) Lab and field studies of feeding, growth and health of adult lobster (Homarus americanus) Chantelle Penny-MSc (I. McGaw) Physiological responses of digestion in the crabs Carcinus maenas and Cancer irroratus in low salinity. Iyad Hailat – Chemistry- Ph.D. (C Parrish/co-supervised) Determination of lipid molecular species in mussels Matthew Webb- Aquaculture- M.Sc. (C. Parrish/Co-supervised) Effect of cod broodstock diets on egg larvae Ashley Robar -Biology-M.Sc. (P. Snelgrove/K. Juniper) Rock movement, species diversity and species richness


Ph.D Students Mike Piersiak- Biology-PhD (M. Abrahams) Bottom-up effects associated with sea cage aquaculture Jennifer Hall- Biology- PhD (W. Driedzic/ M. Rise) Molecular mechanisms of cold acclimation in smelt Nathan Wilke- Biology - PhD (I.A. Fleming) Conservation of endangered populations Brendan Wringe – Biology - PhD (I.A. Fleming/ Co supervised) Reproductive interactions and hybridization in cod Heather Bowlby- Biology- PhD (I. Fleming/Co-supervised) Environmental influences on population dynamics and genetic structuring: understanding responses to anthropogenic change

Ingeborg Mulder- Biology University of Waterloo- PhD (I. Fleming/Co-supervised) Spatial and temporal movements of estuarine and nearshore marine habitat use of Arctic charr Kristin Bøe- DOS- Marine Biology PhD (I. Fleming) Interrelation between anadromy and iteroparity in shaping life-history: insights from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) David Bélanger - Biology - PhD (P. Gagnon) Ecological importance and vulnerability of rhodolith beds in Newfoundland and Labrador Anne Provencher St-Pierre - Ocean Sciences - PhD (P. Gagnon) Drivers of kelp-barrens community dynamics in Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence Isabel Costa - Biology – PhD (K. Gamperl) Cardiac function and microvascular control in flatfish Alexander Thomas-Biology-PhD (K. Gamperl/Co-supervised) Mechanisms Limiting Maximum Cardiac Function in Teleost Fishes Qiwu Jiang- DOS Marine Biology PhD (I. McGaw) Effects of feeding states on behavioural and physiological responses to hypoxia in Atlantic rock crab Cancer irroratus


Emy Montgomery- DOS- Marine Biology- PhD (A. Mercier) Comparative study of forms and functions of pelagic propagules in marine invertebrates. Camilla Parzanini- DOS-Marine Biology- PhD (C. Parrish/ A. Mercier) Food web ecology of a deep-sea environment in the North-west Atlantic Ocean: an integrated analysis

Daria Gallardi- Environmental Science- PhD (C. Parrish/ Co-supervised) Effects of environmental conditions on growth, health and quality of culture blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) with reference to culture depth and post-harvest practices Laura Carreon-Palau -Biology-PhD (C. Parrish) Organic sources of carbon and their transfer in a coral reef ecosystem Jorge Del Angel-Rodriguez – Biology-PhD (C. Parrish) Seasonal changes in krill lipids: implications for whales Khalil Eslamloo- Biology- PhD (M. Rise) The genetic basis of Atlantic cod and Atlantic salmon innate immune responses Sabrina Inkpen- Biology- PhD (M. Rise) Mechanisms of antiviral defense in teleost fish Yunyun, Fu- Environmental Science - PhD (R. Rivkin/Co-supervised) Gene transfer agents in Arctic bacterioplankton Rob Perry –Biology- PhD (D. Schneider/Co-supervisor) Lake Trout Behaviour and Habitat use in a High Subarctic Tundra Ecoregion Kimberley Keats - Biology - PhD (D. Schneider) Nutrient regulation of heterotrophic bacterial growth and community structure in relation to water mass dynamics in Arctic and Subarctic waters Neus Campanyà Llovet Biology - PhD (P. Snelgrove) The role of organic matter in determining deep-sea benthic biodiversity patterns Melanie Rossong – Biology – PhD (P. Snelgrove/P. Quijon) Impacts of the invasive green crab on native biodiversity in Placentia Bay Ryan Stanley – Biology - PhD (P. Snelgrove) Biophysical interactions regulating connectivity during the early life history of American lobster (Homarus americanus)


Renald Belley – Biology-PhD (P. Snelgrove) Ecosystem services in deep-sea benthos Ecosystem services in deep-sea benthos M.Sc. Students Jennifer Campbell- Biology-M.Sc. (M. Abrahams) The impact of turbidity on detection rates within a predator-prey system Sylvia Fitzgibbon- Biology-M.Sc. (M. Abrahams) Sensory physiology and its impact on invasion dynamics Ainsley Latour- Biology-M.Sc. (D .Deibel) Molecular Divergence and Gene Flow in Cold Water Tunicates: Insights from Cytochrome Oxidase 1 and Microsatellite Markers Gavin Applin – Biology – M.Sc. (D. Deibel/M.L Rise) Genetics of invasive ascidians Becky Graham-Biology- M.Sc. (I. Fleming) Captive breeding & the Atlantic mating system Rebecca Poole - Biology - M.Sc. (I.A. Fleming/D. Reddin - DFO) Lacustrine and Fluvial Habitat use by Atlantic salmon parr in Labrador Gwyn Mason- Biology- M.Sc (I. Fleming) Rapid Evolution and Local Adaptation in an Introduced Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Population: experimental and genetic evidence of adaptation 25 years Post-Introduction in the Rocky River, Newfoundland. Heather Young - Biology - M.Sc. (G. Fletcher) Differences in expression of Growth hormone receptors and downstream factors in transgenic salmon when compared to control salmon Kyle Millar - Ocean Sciences - MSc (P. Gagnon) On the prevalence and relative importance of abiotic and biotic controls of rhodolith bed persistence in Newfoundland and Labrador. Samantha Trueman - Ocean Sciences - MSc (P. Gagnon) Controls of gonad yield, recruitment, and resilience in green sea urchin and dominant kelp species in Newfoundland.


Desta Frey - Biology – M.Sc. (P. Gagnon) Effects of environmental variability on grazing, aggregation, and microhabitat selection in the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis Sarita Pellowe- Biology- M.Sc. (K. Gamperl) The Effects of Temperature on Calcium Transients in the Fish Myocardium Christian Carnevale – Biology- M.Sc. (K. Gamperl) Effects of chronic hypoxia on Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissue oxygen utilization and myocardial contractility Devyn Ramsay- Biology- M.Sc. (K. Gamperl/Co-supervised) Effects of Interleukin-1β on the cardiovascular system of Steelhead Trout Travis Nielsen- Biology- M.Sc. (I. McGaw) Thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in the juvenile life stages of the American lobster, Homarus americanus. Sarah Livingstone- DOS- M.Sc. Aquaculture (I. McGaw) Feeding interactions between green crabs and lobsters Justine Ammendolia- DOS- M.Sc. Marine Biology (A. Mercier) The interactive effects of hydrostatic pressure and climate change stressors on the ecological roles of echinoderms. Bruno Gianasi- DOS-Aquaculture –M.Sc. (A. Mercier) Fisheries and aquaculture related biometrics of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa Matthew Osse- DOS-Marine Biology –M.Sc. (A. Mercier) Effect of hydrocarbons on reproductive success in benthic marine invertebrates. Department of Ocean Sciences. Katie Verkaik- DOS- Marine Biology-M.Sc. (A. Mercier) Impact of CO2-driven ocean acidification on reproduction in marine invertebrates. Maryam Beheshti Foroutani- DOS- Marine Biology- M.Sc. (C. Parrish) Minimizing Marine Resource Utilization in Diet of Farmed Atlantic Salmon (salmo salar): Effects on Lipid Classes, Fatty acid Composition and Lipid Oxidation Judy Perry- Chemistry- M.Sc. (C. Parrish/co-Supervised) Cholesterol and phytosterols in finfish aquaculture nutrition


Tyler Brown- Biology- M.Sc. (M. Rise) Impact of plant-based diets on fish intestine transcriptome Larina Carroll- Biology - M.Sc. (M. Rise) Molecular ontogeny of heat stress response in salmon Lindsey Hemphill- Environmental Science- M.Sc. (R. Rivkin) The effects of chronic low level petroleum hydrocarbon on bacteria in Placentia and St. Mary's Bay Newfoundland Viviana Ramirez - Biology- M.Sc. (D Schneider) Development of an exclusive fishery zone on the Pacific Coast of Columbia. Yuir Gidge- Biology- M.Sc. (D. Schneider) Bio-indicators of nutrient loading at aquaculture sites in Newfoundland. Dustin Schornagel -Biology- M.Sc. (P. Snelgrove) Fine-scale habitat use of age 1 Gadus ogac as revealed by acoustic telemetry Rochelle Porter-Biology- M.Sc. (P. Snelgrove) Fish behavioural response to artificial shoreline structures Rebecca Steinhart- Biology- M.Sc. (P. Snelgrove) Natural and anthropogenic drivers of sedimentary communities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Mallory Van Wyngaarden-Biology- M.Sc. (P. Snelgrove) Genetic differentiation and population connectivity in Northwest Atlantic populations of the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, using whole-genome scanning

Emily Smits – Environmental Science- MES (J. Wroblewski). Bonne Bay as a candidate for a Marine Conservation Area within Gros Morne National Park.

Anita Doody- Environmental Science- MES (J. Wroblewski). Provincial regulations update for nitrate and ammonia in industrial effluent discharges to a body of water.


Visiting Students

Joseph Whitehead University of Manchester, UK- June 1-Sept. 15/2015 (Gamperl) Uxue Tilves - Oct. 8-Dec. 19/201414 (Parrish) Cilene Mori- Nov. 3-28, 2014 (Parrish) Undergraduate Students Leah Robertson- Biology- BSc Honours (A. Mercier) Feeding efficiency of deep--sea sponges under different environmental conditions. Completed. Alana Kavanagh - Biology - BSc Honours (P. Gagnon). Effects of thermal shifts on grazing and physical condition in the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis


G. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, INVITED LECTURES

International Invasive Sea Squirt Conference, Woods Hole, MA, October 29-31,2014 McKenzie, C.H.; Wells, T.; Matheson, K.; Reid, V.; Lowen, J.B.; Green, D.; Deibel, D. Monitoring non-indigenous tunicate species in Newfoundland, Canada: A first step towards understanding their impact. Poster presentation. McKenzie, C.H.; Reid, V.; Wells, T.; Matheson, K.; Green, D.; Mouland, D.; Lowen, J.B.; Deibel, D. Mitigation studies to control the spread of the solitary invasive tunicate, Ciona intestinalis, in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. Oral Presentation. Canadian Society for Zoologist, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, July 13-17, 2015 Speers-Roesch, B.; Driedzic, W.R. Mechanisms of winter dormancy in fishes: lessons about the roles of metabolic depression and inactivity from a temperate wrasse, the cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) Driedzic, W.R.; Clow, K.A.; Short, C.E. Extracellular glucose can support metabolism in Atlantic cod myocytes but not in heart of hypoglycemic short-horned sculpin.

MacCormack, T.; Robinson, J.; Driedzic, W. Acclimation to hypercapnia alters energy metabolism and cardiac contractility in the

Amazonian armored catfish, Pterygoplichthys pardalis. American Physiological Society , San Diego, Oct 6-8, 2014 Driedzic, W.R.; Clow, K.A. Short, C.E. Glucose Can Fuel Metabolism in RBCs from Normoglycemic But Not Hypoglycemic Fish.

Department of Biology, Departmental seminar, Karlstad University, Sweden, April, 14, 2015. 2015. (INVITED) NoWPaS European Workshop of PhD and Post-doctoral Fellows on Anadromous Salmonids. Galway, Ireland, April, 7-9, 2015, Plenary (INVITED) Fleming, I.A. Influence of environmental enrichment and transgenerational effects on salmon recovery. Science Atlantic: Conference of the Atlantic Deans of Arts, Science and Graduate Studies. St. John’s, Canada. November, 21-22, 2014 (INVITED) Fleming, I.A. Cold ocean and deep sea research: challenges and opportunities.

Dr. William Driedzic

Dr. Ian Fleming

Dr. Don Deibel


Advances in the population ecology of stream salmonids, Girona, Spain, May 25-29, 2015. Fleming, I.A., Westley, P.A.H., Ward, E.J. Rapid divergence and local adaptation in invasive brown trout. Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, Saskatoon, Canada, May 21-25, 2015. Mason, G., Fleming, I.A., Bradbury, I. Rapid evolution in an introduced population of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) population: genomic and experimental evidence of adaptation in Rocky River, Newfoundland. Gilbert Bay Fisheries and Ecosystem Workshop, Port Hope Simpson, Labrador, April, 2015. Bøe, K. Interrelation between anadromy and iteroparity in shaping life history. Mulder, I. Movement patterns of Arctic charr in the nearshore marine environment and overwintering lakes. Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, Ottawa, Canada, January, 8-11, 2015. Wringe, B.F., Purchase, C.F., Fleming, I.A. A cultured phenotype in fishes revealed through meta-analysis and geometric morphometrics of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Mason, G., Fleming, I.A., Bradbury, I. Rapid evolution in an introduced Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population: genomic and experimental evidence of adaptation in Rocky River, Newfoundland.

Aquaculture Europe 2014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, October, 14-17, 2015. Beirão, J., Purchase, C.F., Wringe, B.F., Fleming, I.A. Sperm motility in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is modulated by inter-population differences in ovarian fluid chemistry. V International Rhodolith Workshop, San Jose, Costa Rica, July 27-31, 2015 Bélanger, D.; Gagnon, P. Intra-annual variation in structural complexity and biological diversity of rhodolith (Lithothamnion glaciale) beds in southeastern Newfoundland, Canada.

Millar, K., Gagnon P. Effects of substratum, rhodolith density, and wave velocity on displacement and abrasion of rhodoliths (Lithothamnion glaciale) from southeastern Newfoundland, Canada.

8th Annual Biology Graduate Student Symposium, St. John's, Canada, April 16th,2015 Bélanger, D.; Gagnon, P. Intra-annual growth dynamics of rhodoliths (Lithothamnion glaciale) in Newfoundland: does light matter more than temperature?

Millar, K.; Gagnon P. Rolling in the shallow: how wave velocity and density affect rhodolith (Lithothamnion glaciale) displacement and abrasion.

Frey, D.; Gagnon, P. Wave action and temperature mediate aggregation, microhabitat selection, and kelp bed destruction by a functionally important echinoderm.

Dr. Pat Gagnon


St-Pierre, A. P.; Gagnon, P. Effects of temperature, body size, and starvation on feeding in the common sea star, Asterias rubens. 44th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting, Québec, Canada, March 4-7, 2015. Millar, K.; Gagnon, P. Effects of wave velocity and density on displacement and abrasion of rhodoliths (Lithothamnion glaciale) from Newfoundland.

Bélanger, D.; Gagnon, P. Unravelling effects of temperature and light on apical growth in the rhodolith-forming, red coralline alga Lithothamnion glaciale from Newfoundland.

St-Pierre, A. P.; Gagnon, P. Mechanistic underpinnings of prey consumption and size selection in a major echinoderm predator.

Frey, D.; Gagnon, P. Hydrodynamic and thermal environments mediate foraging and kelp bed destruction by a dominant grazer in reef communities. Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium Lecture Series, Petty Harbour, Canada, 2014 Millar, K.; Gagnon, P. Rocking and rolling rhodoliths: an introduction to the ecology and importance of rhodoliths, and to cold-water diving practices.

Society of Experimental Biology Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic, July 2015. Gamperl, A.K.; Norin, T. Moytka, R.; Rodnick, K.J.; Penney, C.M.; Syme, D.A.; Nash, G.W.; Nolan, J. Thermal Tolerance is Not Only Limited by Cardiac Function: Evidence for the Importance of Tissue Oxygen Utilization and Mitochondrial Function. Ern, R.; Norin, T.; Gamperl, A.K.; Esbaugh, A.J. Thermal tolerance of red drum and lumpfish is unaffected by hypoxia exposure despite a >70% reduction in aerobic scope. APS Intersociety Meeting: Comparative Approaches to Grand Challenges in Physiology. San Diego. October, 2014. Norin, T.; Motyka, R.; Gamperl, A.K. Long-term acclimation to hypoxia does not confer increased tolerance to high temperature in steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia, Sept 2014. Gamperl, A.K. Fish Responses to Environmental Challenges. Physiological Mechanisms and Ecological Implications. (INVITED) Gamperl, A.K. How Water Temperature Impacts Fish Biology. (INVITED)

Dr. Kurt Gamperl


Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Cold Harvest, Gander, NL. February 10th-12th, 2015. Wang, G.; McGaw, I.J. Interactions between lobsters Homarus americanus and mussel farms. American Physiological Society. San Diego October 5th – 8th, 2014

McGaw, I.J.; Penney, C.M.; Curtis D.L. Specific dynamic action in decapod crustaceans. 14th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium, Aveiro, Portugal, September 2015.

Mercier, A.; Baillon, S.; Hamel, J.-F. (2015). Life history and feeding biology of the deep-sea pycnogonid Nymphon hirtipes.

Verkaik, K.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Impact of ocean acidification on the reproductive output of the deep-sea annelid Ophryotrocha sp. (Polychaeta: Dorvelleidae).

Mercier, A.; Baillon, S.; Daly, M.; Macrander, J.; Hamel, J.-F. (2015). Biology of a deep-water sea anemone (Anthozoa: Actiniidae) from eastern Canada: spawning, development, and growth.

15th International Echinoderm Conference, Mexico, May 2015.

Montgomery, E.M.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Interspecific egg variation in Echinodermata - Nature’s colour palette.

Montgomery, E.M.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Locomotory performance during early ontogeny in North Atlantic sea stars.

Verkaik, K.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Potential impact of ocean acidification on reproductive output of the subarctic holothuroid Cucumaria frondosa.

Gianasi, B.; Verkaik, K.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Novel use of PIT tags in sea cucumbers: promising results with the commercial species Cucumaria frondosa.

Osse, M.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Markers of exposure to lubricating oil in cold-water echinoderms.

Simpósio Internacional de Moléculas Bioativas e Bioprocessos de Organismos Aquáticos, Brazil, 7-10 April 2015.

Leite-Castro L.V.; Sousa-Junior, J.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A.; Nunes, J.F.; Salmito-Vanderley, C.S.B. Gametogenesis and spawning of the sea cucumber Holothuria grisea in Northeast Brazil: trends and correlation with environmental factors.

Science Atlantic Aquaculture & Fisheries and Biology Conference, Moncton (NB), Canada, March 2015.

Gianasi B., J.-F. Hamel & A. Mercier 2015. Live transport of temperate sea cucumbers: characterization of stress and damage under various conditions.

Robertson, L.M.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2015). Feeding efficiency of deep-sea sponges under different environmental conditions.

Dr. Annie Mercier

Dr. Iain McGaw


Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, P.R. China, Oct 2014. INVITED

Mercier, A.; Hamel, J.F. From shallow to deep environments: the biology and adaptations of benthic invertebrates.

Mercier, A.; Hamel, J.F. From shallow to deep environments: the biology and adaptations of benthic invertebrates.

49th European Marine Biology Symposium, St. Petersburg, Russia, Sep 2014.

Mercier, A.; Ross, D.A.N.; Hamel, J.-F. Long-term and trans-generational effects of ocean acidification: a study of mixed benthic species under naturally-fluctuating conditions.

Oral presentation at ASLO 2015 Aquatic Sciences Meeting in Granada, Spain, 2015

Parrish, C.C.; Pethybridge, H.; Nichols, P.D.; Young, J.W. Regional differences in essential fatty acids in albacore tuna from the southwestern Pacific Ocean and the importance of temperature.

Oral presentation at Aquaculture 2015 in Montpellier, France, 2015

Parrish, C.C.; Hixson, S.M.; Xue, X.; Rise, M.L.; Collins, S.; Anderson, D.M.Growth performance, tissue composition and gene expression responses in salmonids and Atlantic cod fed camelina meal and oil.

International Society of Developmental and Comparative Immunology Congress, Murcia, Spain, June 28 – July 3, 2015. Rise, M.L.; Booman, M.; Hori, T.S.; Gamperl, A.K.; Hall, J.R.; Nash, G.W.; Xu, Q.; Trippel, E.A.; Johnson, S.C. Functional genomics research on antiviral immune responses of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Selected for oral presentation. Aquaculture Canada Conference in Nanaimo, BC, May 31-June 3, 2015. Rise, M.L.; Xue, X.; Hixson, S.M.; Hori, T.S.; Booman, M.; Parrish, C.C.; Anderson, D.M. Atlantic salmon liver gene expression responses to diets containing camelina products. Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Conference. Gander, NL, Feb 10-12, 2015. Rise, M.L.; Booman, M.; Xu, Q. Impact of Camelina diets on Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod gene expression responses to immune stimuli.

Seventh International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health, Portland, Oregon, USA, Aug. 31 – Sept. 4, 2014. Booman, M.; Xu, Q.; Rise, M.L. Functional genomics studies of the impact of diets containing camelina oil and/or camelina meal on Atlantic cod and Atlantic salmon immune responses.

Dr. Chris Parrish

Dr. Matt Rise


Workshop on Camelina as a Feedstock for Fish Diets, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Truro, NS, November 19th, 2014. Rise, M.L. Effect of camelina diets on fish immune responses assessed using functional genomics techniques. (INVITED) Immunology and Infectious Diseases Journal Club, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, October 9th, 2014. Rise, M.L. Functional genomics research on the effects of temperature and diet on Atlantic cod anti-viral immune responses. (INVITED) Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway, November 27th, 2014. Rise ML. Functional genomics research on Atlantic cod. (INVITED)

Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography. Granada, Spain. February 2015. Legendre, L.; Rivkin, R. B. Flows of biogenic carbon in the World Ocean. Role of microbial competition switches. Rivkin, R. B.; Anderson, M. R. Competition between bacteria and phytoplankton: Characteristics, controls and consequences.

Third International Symposium on the Effects of Climate Change on the World’s Oceans. Santos, Brazil. March 2015 Legendre, L.; Rivkin, R. B.; Weinbauer, M.; Guidi, L.; Uitz, J. Significance of the microbial carbon pump in the globally changing ocean. Rivkin, R. B. Manna from heaven. Role of Aeolian nutrient inputs on carbon pumps on the contemporary and future ocean. Effects of Climate Change on Biologically Driven Carbon Pumps. Anderson, M. R.; Rivkin, R. B. Cumulative effects of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures on the ocean carbon pumps. Effects of Climate Change on Biologically Driven Carbon Pumps. AMT Open Science Conference. Plymouth, UK. June 2015. Rivkin, R. B.; Hale, M. S. Meridional patterns of microzooplankton grazing preferences in contrasting biogeochemical. Hale, M. S.; Rivkin, R. B. Seasonal and spatial patterns of inorganic nutrient limitation of bacterial growth in the Atlantic Ocean. AMT Open Science Conference.

Lobster in a Changing Ocean International Symposium, Charlottetown, PEI, 2015 (INVITED) 6th International Barcode of Life Meeting, Guelph, ON, 2015 (INVITED) Biology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, 2015 (INVITED)

Dr. Paul Snelgrove

Dr. Richard Rivkin


Assoc. for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) Annual Science Meeting, Granada, Spain, 2015 (INVITED)

Bioprospect, Annual Bioprospectors Meeting, Tromso, Norway (INVITED) Deep-Sea Biology Symposium, Aviero, Portugal, Aug 31st-Sept 4th, 2015. Campanyà-Llovet, N.; Snelgrove, P. Barkley methane hydrate patch mosaics and drivers of infaunal patterns. Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, Windsor, ON, January 8th-11th, 2015. Van Wyngaarden, M.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; Hamilton, L.; Rodríguez-Ezpeleta, N.; DiBacco, C.; Bradbury, I.R. Genetic differentiation and population connectivity in northwest Atlantic populations of the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, using whole-genome scanning. Benthic Ecology Meeting, Quebec City, March 4th-8th, 2015. Belley, R.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; Juniper, S.K; Archambault, P. Environmental drivers and spatio-temporal variation in benthic fluxes in the North East Pacific. Stanley, R.R.E.; Daigle, R.M.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; deYoung, B.; Pedersen, E.J. The influence of vertical movement on dispersal of American lobster (Homarus americanus) larvae.

Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, Saskatoon, SK, May 21st-25th, 2015 Van Wyngaarden, M.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; DiBacco, C.; Hamilton, L.C.; Rodríguez-Ezpeleta, N.; Bradbury, I.R. Population connectivity and environmental drivers of adaptation in the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus. The Evolution Conference, Guaruja, Brazil, June 26th-30th, 2015. Van Wyngaarden, M.; Snelgrove, P.V.R.; DiBacco, C.; Hamilton, L.C.; Rodríguez-Ezpeleta, N.; Bradbury, I.R. Environmental drivers of adaptation and population structure in the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus.

Gordon Research Conf. “Oceans & Human Health, Genomics: the Power & the Promise Conference, Biddeford ME ,June 1st-6th, 2015

Van Wyngaarden, M.; P.V.R. Snelgrove, L. Hamilton, N. Rodríguez-Ezpeleta, I.R. Bradbury. Genetic differentiation and population connectivity in Northwest Atlantic populations of the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, using whole-genome scanning (poster)

Invited speaker, Forum on Challenges of Sustainable Fisheries: The Global and the Local Context. Held at St. John’s City Hall. Sponsored by Social Justice Co-op, the Global Health Office, Memorial University Faculty of Medicine and Inter Pares. October 2014.

Dr. Joe Wroblewski


The Rooms, Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum of NL, October 2014. Wroblewski, J. Marine Heritage Preservation in Newfoundland and Labrador.” Sponsored by Nature NL. (INVITED) NAIA Cold Harvest Annual Conference and Trade Show, Gander NL, February 2015. Monk, J. Boyce, D.; Ang, K.P. Cleaner Fish- Developing tools and Solutions to Mitigate and Control Sea Lice on Cultured Atlantic Salmon. MRI CARNA Research Laboratory in Ireland. Sept. 20, 2015 Boyce, D. Cleaner Fish- Developing tools and Solutions to Mitigate and Control Sea Lice on Cultured Atlantic Salmon. Huntsman Marine Science Centre, NB. June 2015. Boyce, D. Cleaner Fish- Developing tools and Solutions to Mitigate and Control Sea Lice on Cultured Atlantic Salmon.

JBARB


FACULTY PROFILES

DR. MARK ABRAHMAS http://www.mun.ca/osc/mabrahams/bio.php

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research investigates the impacts and ramifications of predator prey interactions within aquatic ecosystems using computer models, laboratory experiments and field research. Current research is

investigating the impact of changes in the visual environment and how this impacts the relative sensory abilities of predators, their prey, the nature of their interactions, and the ultimate impact this will have on habitat quality. We are also working on the relation between environmental predictability and --scale and the consequences of creating predictability at anomalous scales on ecosystem function. Part of this work includes ongoing research using hydroacoustic surveys to measure the relative distribution of marine fishes, phyto and zooplankton, and large predators

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015

Impact of temperature on the role of predation risk

I worked with one of my former Ph.D. Students, Dr. Melissa Pink, on preparing some of her research for publication. We completed a paper that demonstrated that the increased starvation risk associated with warmer temperatures in aquatic ecosystems reduced the impact of predation risk on habitat quality. These data support our hypothesis that the role of predation risk will be diminished in freshwater aquatic ecosystems at warmer temperatures.

Impacts of sea cages on marine ecosystems

In collaboration with the Marine Institute I began further work to investigate the large scale impact of sea cage aquaculture on marine ecosystems. Earlier work has shown that the presence of these sites can result in higher concentrations of marine life at a large scale, and well beyond the immediate vicinity of the sea cages. As part of Mike Piersiak’s thesis, we are now assessing the impacts of bottom-up and top-down processes that contributed to this result. I am also working with Drs Fleming and Rise, and Dr. Ian Bradbury from the Department of Fisheries and Ocean on a Strategic Grant to fund this project from the perspective of understanding the environmental impact of escapes from sea cage sites.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/mabrahams/bio.php


DR. DON DEIBEL

http://www.mun.ca/osc/ddeibel/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Arctic zooplankton ecology; planktonic tunicate genetics; invasive ascidian tunicate population ecology and genetics.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/ddeibel/bio.php


DR. WILLIAM DRIEDZIC http://www.mun.ca/osc/wdriedzic/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Current research activities focus on carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism, in marine fish and other selected species. We are addressing the biochemical solutions to survival under conditions of low temperature, low oxygen, and low food availability. The new information generated

provides an intellectual connect from molecular biology, through biochemistry to physiological ecology. In another context, our studies are setting the stage for practical and powerful applications in the area of marine biomedicine. For instance, how does glucose move across cell membranes in some species of fish that have exceptionally low blood glucose levels?

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 Dr. Driedzic along with Dr. Tyson MacCormack and Dr. Jason Robinson visited the Laboratory of Ecophysiology and Molecular Evolution, Instituto Nacional Pesquisa da Amazônia,Manaus, Brazil. Both Tyson and Jason are former students in the Driedzic laboratory. Tyson is now an Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University and Jason received his PhD from Memorial in Biochemistry in 2015. Together they worked on how Amazonian armored catfish are able to protect heart function under conditions of very high carbon dioxide. Dr.Driedzic and Dr. MacCormack also worked at the Centre for Marine Sciences, Univerdidade Algarve, Faro, Portugal. This time they directed their interests to how the amino acid taurine modifies heart performance and metabolism in the cephalopod, Sepia officinalis. At home base work continued on glucose metabolism in marine fish that have naturally occurring low and high levels of blood glucose. Fish show a species specific range in blood glucose levels from less than 1 mM (e.g. sculpins) to greater than 5 mM (e.g. Atlantic cod). The lower level would render a human unconscious. A major finding was that regardless of the level of extracellular glucose, all of the glucose metabolized by the heart appears as lactate. It appears that glucose is not used as an aerobic metabolic fuel as was generally accepted.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/wdriedzic/bio.php


DR. IAN FLEMING http://www.mun.ca/osc/ifleming/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS The research in Dr. Fleming’s laboratory addresses fundamental questions about the way in which animals respond to their environment (phenotypically and evolutionarily) and aims to provide a foundation for the understanding of central issues in biological conservation and management. It focuses on the evolutionary and behavioural ecology of fishes, with an emphasis on breeding

system evolution, life history diversity, phenotypic plasticity, maternal effects and survival strategies. They have worked extensively on the management and conservation of wild fish populations, including the restoration of endangered and threatened populations, and interactions between aquaculture and wild fish. A range of scientific approaches are used, from controlled laboratory experiments to large-scale field experiments, as well as more theoretical studies. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 Dr. Fleming’s lab continued to address questions on the evolutionary ecology of fishes. This past year PhD student Brendan Wringe, co-supervised with Dr. Craig Purchase, worked towards completing his investigations into the potential for interbreeding between wild and escapee cod, the factors that lead to successful fertilization and the implications of hybridization among populations. He had two of his thesis chapters accepted for publication and has another soon to be submitted. Ian Hamilton, an MSc student co-supervised with Dr. Mark Abrahams, successfully completed his MSc thesis which explored growth-predation risk tradeoffs in juvenile lemon sharks in relation to their use of coastal creek nurseries in the Bahamas. PhD student Heather Bowlby is continuing her research on the Environmental influences on population dynamics and genetic structuring: understanding responses to anthropogenic change and had her first thesis chapter published and submitted another for publication. MSc student Gwyn Mason has completed her field research examining Rapid evolution in a population of Atlantic salmon: experimental and genetic evidence of adaptation in the Rocky River, Newfoundland and has been analyzing her data and writing her thesis. PhD student Kristin Bøe completed her second field season investigating the interrelation between anadromy and iteroparity in shaping the life history of Atlantic salmon. Her field research this past year in Labrador was done in collaboration with Ingeborg Mulder, a new PhD student, who is at the University of Waterloo and co-supervised by Dr. Michael Power. Ingeborg’s thesis research focuses on the Spatial and temporal movement patterns of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in the nearshore marine environment and overwintering lakes. The lab was active publishing 10 papers this past year, many of which were authored by current and former graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in the lab. Together with Drs. Abrahams and Rise, and Dr. Ian Bradbury of the Department of Fisheries and Ocean, we began research on a Strategic Grant funded project to explore the Evolutionary and ecological impact of the escape of farmed salmon: policy and mitigation strategies. In February, Dr. Fleming began a guest professorship (Wallenberg Professorship of the Royal Swedish Society of Agriculture and Forestry) at the University of Gothenburg, where he will be for the remainder of the calendar year of 2015 collaborating on research there.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/ifleming/bio.php


DR. PATRICK GAGNON http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~pgagnon/ CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Gagnon’s research program investigates factors and processes that govern the structure and function of cold marine benthic ecosystems. By integrating perspectives from ecology, oceanography, phycology, physiology, remote sensing, GIS technology, and modeling, my group currently addresses fundamental and applied questions in four areas involving invertebrates and seaweeds: 1) controls and stability of subtidal

benthic communities, 2) habitat modification and facilitation in subtidal benthic communities, 3) ecology of marine invasive species at their northern distribution limits, and 4) broad-scale mapping and study of dynamics of shallow benthic assemblages. Research highlights for 2014-2015 This past year, Anne P. St-Pierre earned a Master’s degree and published the two core chapters of her thesis on microhabitat use (St-Pierre & Gagnon [2015] J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 467:95-107) and feeding ecology (St-Pierre & Gagnon [2015] Mar. Biol. 162:1125-1135) of the common sea star, Asterias rubens. B.Sc. graduate Alana Kavanagh completed Honours research on effects of thermal shifts on grazing and physical condition in the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. M.Sc. student Desta Frey studied effects of temperature and wave action on feeding, displacement, microhabitat use, aggregation, and distribution in the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Consistent with the conceptual foundations of the metabolic theory of ecology, we showed that individual feeding during early summer obeys a non-linear, size- and temperature-dependent relationship. This relationship was more apparent in large than small urchins (Frey & Gagnon [2015] PLoS ONE 10(3): e0118583). Ph.D. candidate David Bélanger continued research on the foundational importance and vulnerability of rhodolith beds in Newfoundland and Labrador. Their lead role in a 7-week (NSERC Ship-Time funded) scientific cruise along the coast of Labrador established a part of the geographic scope and abundance of rhodolith beds, and documented the diversity and biomass of associated macrofauna. Additional data collected during the cruise lead to a joint publication with collaborators Dr. Walter Adey (Smithsonian Institution) and Dr. Jochen Halfar (University of Toronto) on the importance of rhodolith beds to preservation of crustose coralline algal buildups with high climate archiving potential (Adey et al. [2015] Palaios. 30:281-293). M.Sc. student Kyle Millar continued research on the relative importance of abiotic and biotic controls of rhodolith bed stability in Newfoundland. Kyle completed a multi-month survey of rhodolith macrofauna, hydrodynamic conditions, and rates of sediment accumulation on rhodoliths, as well as several experiments in an oscillatory wave tank to quantify effects of wave action and dominant macrofauna on abrasion and rolling of rhodoliths. Supported by an NSERC PGS-D scholarship, Anne P. St-Pierre undertook Ph.D. research on factors and processes that govern kelp-barrens community dynamics in Newfoundland and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Anne initiated a multi-month field experiment in southeastern Newfoundland to characterize threshold urchin and kelp biomasses triggering community phase shifts. We disseminated our findings through 11 presentations in regional, national, and international conferences and workshops, including the 44th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting in Québec City, and 5th International Rhodolith Workshop in Costa Rica.

http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~pgagnon/


DR. KURT GAMPERL http://www.mun.ca/osc/kgamperl/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Gamperl is a fish physiologist whose goal is to understand how environmental and physiological variables interact to affect fish biology. This research uses a multi-level (whole animal, organ/tissue, cellular, genomic) approach to test hypotheses about how environmental conditions (temperature, oxygen, depth, domestication) affect

metabolism, swimming performance, cardiovascular function and stress physiology, and how life history and ecology influence the design of physiological systems. He uses a variety of marine and anadromous (those that can go between fresh and salt water) fishes in his research, and the questions he addresses often have implications for fish ecology and/or aquaculture. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2014-2015 Over the past year, Dr. Gamperl’s research program has continued to make significant progress in understanding how temperature and hypoxia affect fish physiology/biology. This research resulted in the publication of 8 journal articles over this period, two of those based on research using his recently constructed Microvessel Research Facility. His progress in understanding the capacity of fishes to respond to environmental challenges was also recognized in a number of ways. He was an invited speaker in a session that addressed aspects of the ‘Oxygen and Capacity Limited Thermal Tolerance Concept’ at the Society of Experimental Biology’s Annual meeting in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and invited to give a lecture at Deakin University (Australia) titled ‘Fish Responses to Environmental Challenges: Physiological Mechanisms and Ecological Implications. Further, he was the PI on a successful NSERC RTI grant for an ultrasound machine in support of my work on fish cardiovascular physiology, and is currently editing a 2 volume set (35A and B) in the book series ‘Fish Physiology’ published by Elsevier Press Inc. This book series is the most prestigious in his field of research, and the 18 chapters to be published in these volumes will be a major contribution to our understanding of ‘Fish Cardiovascular Design, Control and Function’. Dr. Gamperl also continue to conduct research on the aquaculture of marine fish species. In this academic year he travelled to Australia (with support from both MUN and ACOA) to meet with their salmon aquaculture industry and scientists, and to discuss ways to potentially collaborate on research addressing the environmental challenges that this industry faces. This was a very successful trip, and resulted in the submission of a large, multi-agency, grant titled ‘Mitigating the Impact of Climate-Related Challenges on Salmon Aquaculture’. In addition, he received both an NSERC Interaction Grant and a grant through MUNs Seed, Bridge and Multidisciplinary Fund to establish a research program on Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria). This is a high-value Pacific species with great potential as an aquaculture species, but where large knowledge gaps exist with regards to its culture.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/kgamperl/bio.php


DR. IAIN MCGAW

http://www.mun.ca/osc/ijmcgaw/bio.php

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. McGaw continues to carry out research in crustacean physiology, this has been a long term standing interest. Although most of their work is lab based, they are interested in an integrative approach and studying physiology under more natural conditions. The ingestion of a meal and

its subsequent digestion is associated with a general increase in metabolism termed the specific dynamic action (SDA). Dr. McGaw is interested in how animals balance the physiological demands associated with processing food, with that associated with adaptation to environmental change. For example, how do animals cope with an increased oxygen demand if they experience hypoxia following feeding? In addition to physiology, Dr. McGaw is also interested in behaviour, specifically looking at how the animals use behaviour to mitigate the use of more costly physiological mechanisms. In the last two years he has branched out more into the applied side of crustacean biology. One of his students has investigated the interactions between lobsters and mussel farms. We are currently investigating the effects of the newly invasive green crab, and its potential to threaten the lobster fishery in this Province. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 Three graduate students have graduated, or are in the process of graduating this cycle. MSc student Guoqiang Wang, developed a new rapid method to test the quality of lobsters using the blood protein levels as an index. He showed a close correlation between blood protein levels and amount of edible meat and size and quality of the internal organs, this work was published in the Journal of Shellfish Research. He also has another 2 papers currently in review in Aquaculture and the Journal of Crustacean Biology. MSc student Travis Nielsen submitted a paper to Biological Bulletin on the behavioural responses of juvenile lobsters to temperature change. MSc student Chantelle Penney submitted her work to Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Chantelle’s was resubmitted with corrections and we are awaiting the outcome of the decision. Dr. McGaw published a paper with colleagues on the physiological responses of Ochre starfish to emersion. This was work he conducted on a research trip to Bamfield, British Columbia. His new PhD student Qiwu Jiang has started his research on the behaviour and physiological responses of rock crabs to hypoxia, he will hopefully have enough data by next year to present his work at the Canadian Society of Zoologists meeting in London, Ontario. Dr. McGaw was also awarded an NSERC RTI (Kurt Gamperl, PI). His lab was able to purchase an electromyocardiogram, which they hope to use this to carry out some research on the cardiac physiology of lobsters.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/ijmcgaw/bio.php


DR. ANNIE MERCIER http://www.mun.ca/osc/amercier/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Mercier’s research examines the interactions between benthic organisms and environmental factors at various scales. Research questions are addressed using a wide spectrum of approaches and techniques, typically combining field samplings and experimental trials with microscopic/cellular analyses. Her studies are centered on echinoderms, cnidarians, mollusks and crustaceans

from tropical and cold waters, and from the deep sea. The core of Dr. Mercier’s work focuses on the environmental drivers of gamete synthesis, spawning, larval development, settlement, growth and activity patterns. She also studies chronobiology and the role of social dialogs in reproductive coordination. Parallel segments of her research cover the effects of ocean acidification on biological processes under realistic conditions, and various aspects of functional and evolutionary ecology, including the adaptive value of reproductive strategies and offspring size variations. Applied studies are also conducted in her lab, for instance on the conservation and management of sea cucumbers, and the development of biomarkers of contamination in cold-water benthic organisms. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 Deep-sea biology. A few months after completing her PhD, Sandrine Baillon published her last papers on deep-water sea pens (Baillon et al. 2014, Mar Biol; 2015a, b, c, PLoS One, Mar Ecol and Acta Zool). She was also involved in two other papers on deep-sea annelids and pycnogonids (Mercier et al. 2015a, b, in Deep-Sea Res I). MSc graduate Katie Gale published two more papers on deep-water asteroids (Gale et al. 2014 Mar Biodivers Rec; 2015, Mar Ecol). We also published results on deep-sea scale worms (Hamel et al. 2015, Deep Sea Res I) and deep-water sea cucumbers (Massin et al. 2014, Mar Biodivers Rec). The book chapter on lunar rhythms in deep-sea organisms came out (Annual, Lunar and Tidal Clocks, Springer) as did the collaborative paper on estimating dispersal distance in the deep sea (Hilário et al. 2015, Front Mar Sci). Ongoing work included MSc candidate Justine Ammendolia conducting experimental trials with the new pressurized tanks and PhD candidate Camilla Parzanini processing and analysing samples from a deep-sea food web. Honours student Leah Robertson completed her thesis on the filtration metrics of deep-water sponges. Evolutionary & reproductive biology. A publication on the drivers of breeding synchrony in ophiuroids was published by an MSc graduate (Doyle et al. 2014, Est Coast Shelf Sci), and a paper on complex offspring size effects was published by a PhD graduate (Sun et al. 2015, Ecol Evol). Three graduate students presented 5 contributions at the International Echinoderm Conference in Mexico. PhD candidate Emy Montgomery submitted her first findings on egg colours in lecithotrophic echinoderms at the end of the summer. Environmental studies. Projects on the effects of ocean acidification (MSc Katie Verkaik) and biomarkers of hydrocarbons (MSc Matt Osse) in cold-water marine invertebrates are nearly complete. Conservation and management of marine organisms. We contributed to a review of the drivers of

extinction in sea cucumbers (Purcell et al. 2014, Proc R Soc B) and a book on the biology and aquaculture

of Apostichopus japonicus (2015, Academic Press). The latter was co-edited by Dr. Mercier, who also co-

authored 6 chapters. The MSc project of Bruno Gianasi, funded by RDC, DFA and CCFI, was completed and

a first publication on a novel tagging technique in sea cucumbers came out (Gianasi et al. 2015 PLoS One).

MSc Bruno Gianasi and Honours Leah Robertson gave presentations at the Science Atlantic Aquaculture

& Fisheries and Biology Conference

http://www.mun.ca/osc/amercier/bio.php


DR. CHRIS PARRISH

http://www.mun.ca/osc/cparrish/bio.php

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS: Dr. Parrish works at the intersection of chemistry and biology in the area of aquatic lipid research with an emphasis on nutritional and biomarker lipids in marine food webs. Lipids are of particular interest as they are very important energy sources in aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture, and some are essential

for normal cellular function. Some are also versatile biomarkers that can be used in trophic studies with the help of multivariate statistics to delineate carbon cycling and transfer of material. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 Organic Carbon in a Gulf of Mexico Coral Reef Ecosystem: To assess the degree to which the Coral Reef System of Veracruz in the southwest Gulf of Mexico have been influenced by terrestrial and anthropogenic organic carbon inputs. A C and N stable isotope mixing model and a calculated fatty acid (FA) retention factor revealed the primary producer sources that fuel the coral reef food web. Then lipid classes, FA and sterol biomarkers determined production of terrestrial and marine biogenic material of nutritional quality to pelagic and benthic organisms. Finally, coprostanol determined pollutant loading. Results indicate that phytoplankton is the major source of essential FA for fish and that dietary energy from terrestrial sources such as mangroves are transferred to juvenile fish, while sea grass non-essential FA are transferred to the entire food web. Sea urchins may be the main consumers of brown macroalgae, while surgeon fish prefer red algae. C and N isotopic values and the C:N ratio suggest that fertilizer is the principal source of nitrogen to macroalgae, which also favored phytoplankton and sea grass growth leading to a better nutritional condition and high retention of organic carbon during the rainy season. However, the great star coral Montastrea cavernosa nutritional condition decreased significantly. The nearest river to the Reef System was polluted in the dry season; however, a dilution effect was detected in the rainy season, when some coral reefs were contaminated. Finfish Aquaculture Nutrition: Dr. Parrish’s lab and colleagues have been studying products of the oilseed Camelina sativa as feed ingredients for farmed fish. They have evaluated growth, tissue and gene expression responses in salmonids and Atlantic cod fed camelina meal and oil. The oilseed contains 40% lipid and 38% protein. The oil contains high levels of the long-chain ω3 precursor, ALA (18:3ω3) and the meal contains several essential amino acids. Rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod were fed diets with increasing levels of camelina products and growth, lipid and amino acid tissue composition were evaluated. Feeding trials replaced between 80-100% of fish oil with camelina oil (CO) and camelina meal (CM) inclusion levels ranged up to 30%. Growth performance was not affected in salmonids with 100% oil replacement; however, in cod only 80% replacement of fish oil with CO was accepted. In contrast, cod tolerated 15% CM inclusion while salmon could only tolerate 8%; trout tolerance was in between. There was little effect on total lipid, lipid classes, or total amino acid content or composition in muscle. However, there was a large increase in 18:3ω3 and 18:2ω6 in fish fed CO. These increases occurred mainly at the expense of DHA (22:6ω3) and especially EPA (20:5ω3) and were associated with up-regulation of elovl and fadsd genes in the liver. In addition, 3 treatments were also tested with increasing levels of CO and compared with similarly increasing levels of canola oil. The final weight of salmon fed high CO was greater than salmon fed high canola oil, and breakpoint analysis showed 1% dietary 20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3 were required for good growth. Dietary 20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3 also correlated negatively and significantly with sterol regulatory element-binding protein srebp1. Thus, substitution of camelina products (8-15% meal and 80-100% seed oil) for herring products in aquafeeds had little effect on fish performance or biochemical composition with the exception of PUFA, especially 18:2ω6, 18:3ω3 and 20:5ω3, which correlated with hepatic desaturase and elongase gene expression data.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/cparrish/bio.php


DR. MATT RISE http://www.mun.ca/osc/mrise/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS During the past year, Dr. Rise's research program utilized functional genomics tools and techniques to identify and study the expression of genes involved in fish responses to various diets, environmental stressors, and immune stimuli. In addition, molecular techniques were used in his lab to characterize and study the expression of several fish

genes that are important for antibacterial and antiviral immune responses [e.g. interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family members]. The research conducted in Dr. Rise’s lab provides novel information on the genetic basis of biological processes/responses that are key to fish health, and lays the groundwork for applied projects such as the development of new strategies for combating fish diseases (e.g. molecular diagnostics, clinical diets, and therapeutics) and molecular tests (e.g. molecular biomarker QPCR assays) for assessing the impact of pathogens and other stressors (e.g. heat stress) on farmed and wild fish. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 Functional Genomics Research on Atlantic Cod. Dr. Rise and his trainees previously played key roles in the design and development of an Atlantic cod 20,000-oligonucleotide (20K) microarray. Over the past year, this 20K microarray platform was used in his lab to study the larval Atlantic cod transcriptome response to dietary zooplankton and the cod macrophage transcriptome response to a viral mimic. Aquaculture Nutrigenomics. Research is needed to develop aquaculture feeds that utilize alternatives to fish meal and oil (e.g. plant protein and oil) in order for the culture of marine fish such as Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod to become sustainable. Dr. Rise, with help from his trainees and collaborators, used functional genomics approaches to assess the impact of camelina [Camelina sativa, a crop that is resistant to abiotic stress] meal and oil containing diets on fish growth, gene expression, immune responses, and histology of the intestine. This research has identified and validated novel molecular biomarkers (i.e. genes) that respond to camelina products, and these biomarkers will be useful in future research on the development of camelina-containing diets that allow optimal growth and health of farmed fish. In addition, Dr. Rise is the Academic Lead of a Genome Canada [Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP)] project entitled “Biomarker Platform for Commercial Aquaculture Feed Development” (in partnership with EWOS Innovation). This project involves close collaboration between groups in the Department of Ocean Sciences and researchers at EWOS Innovation, with the goal of using functional genomics tools and techniques to accelerate development of novel grower and clinical diets for farmed salmon. Functional Genomics Research on Atlantic Salmon Response to Piscirickettsia salmonis. P. salmonis, a bacterial pathogen of fish, is a serious threat to the global aquaculture industry. In Dr. Rise’s lab, DNA microarrays and QPCR were used to study salmon immune gene expression responses to this pathogen (manuscript in preparation). This research is improving our understanding of salmon macrophage molecular pathways involved in various stages of piscirickettsial infection, and may lead to the development of novel tools to study and combat this disease. Notables: Editor-in-chief of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology part D: Genomics and Proteomics and High North Programme grant has funded the exchange of two graduate students between the OSC and Oslo and Akershus University of Applied Science (HIOA).

http://www.mun.ca/osc/mrise/bio.php


DR. RICHARD RIVKIN http://www.mun.ca/osc/rrivkin/bio.php

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Rivkin has internationally recognized research programmes studying the microbial food web dynamics and their influence on the cycling of organic material on ocean-climate interactions. His research studies the physiological ecology of phytoplankton and microbial food web processes in temperate and tropical oceans and in the Antarctic and assessing and modeling the role of microbes in controlling oceanic biogeochemistry at global scales, and their effects on ocean-climate interactions. This

research is at the critical interfaces of microbial ecology, ocean biogeochemistry and climate. In addition he has, or had, several programmes in “applied” research areas such as the effects shellfish aquaculture and offshore oil production on microbial dynamics, marine habitats and ecosystem carrying capacity and invasive species. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 Microbial dynamics in the World Ocean: This program combines field measurements with large scale meta-analysis of published information on microbial processes. (1)- Develop predictive models to estimate critical model parameter from remotely sensed ocean surface properties incorporate these parameters into predictive modes of ocean-climate interactions. (2)- Using meta-analyses they contributed key parameters of microbial carbon transfer and incorporated them into coupled-ocean-biogeochemical models. (3)- Develop conceptual models to better understand the factors influencing the microbial transformations of carbon in the mesopelagic region of the World Oceans.(4)- Initiated comparative studies of microbial dynamics in warm subtropical waters in Asia with cold subpolar waters in Newfoundland. In 2013 Dr. Rivkin held a position at Laboratoire d'Oceanographie de Villefranche, where he synthesized the information on heterotrophic processes for microbes attached to sinking particles, and related ocean and ecosystem characteristics that has been collected over the past two decades. The research applied the principles comparative and meta-analysis to understand the role of marine microbes in transformation of sinking particles and the concomitant effect on ocean biogeochemistry. Microbial control on the cycling of trace elements, gases and microbial community structure. Canadian Arctic SOLAS characterized the flux of climate active properties between the ocean and atmosphere whereas Canadian Arctic GeoTraces characterizes the elemental transformation of major and trace elements from the surface ocean to ~3000m. Major findings include: (1)- Distinct patterns of bacterial abundance, production and growth are related to water mass structure in both the Eastern and Western Arctic and the Beaufort Sea. (2)- Bacterial growth in the Eastern Arctic is not limited by the availability of organic or inorganic nutrients. (3)-Bacterial abundance and biomass but not production or growth rate remain relatively high throughout the water column, to over 3000m in the Beaufort Sea. (4)- There are highly significant correlations between water mass characteristics and origin, and bacterial community structure. The difference in structure gives rise to distinct biogeochemical signatures and patterns of elemental transformations. Ocean carbon cycling, export and sequestration. Dr. Rivkin is co-leading with colleagues from Xiamen University, Fujian China a new programme on the “Effects of Climate Change on Biologically Driven Carbon Pumps”. This stems from invited contributions at the “Third International Symposium on the Effects of Climate Change on the World’s Oceans” in Santos, Brazil during March 2015 and has to date lead to the approval of a joint ICES/PICES working group on “Climate Change and Biologically-driven Ocean Carbon Sequestration (WGCCBOCS)” and the appointment of Rivkin as co-chair of the working group.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/rrivkin/bio.php


DR. DAVID SCHNEIDER http://www.mun.ca/osc/dschneider/ CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS: The problem of scale in environmental biology is that pressing problems are often at the scale of decades and entire ecosystems, while measurements are usually constrained to small areas and brief periods. Patterns and process that prevail at small scales do not necessarily prevail at large scales. Of particular interest was the logical

basis for scaling from sample to population, as it developed in theory and in the practice of statistics in the 20th century. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2014-2015

1. Postdoc Stephen Mayor revealed that migratory birds are lagging behind the poleward advance of seasonal greenout in North America east of the Mississippi, but do not lag west of the Mississippi. Unfortunately, a zonal gradient in migratory lag of terrestrial birds doesn't fit with report from a marine unit.

2. Microbial activity, which controls the carbon pool in the ocean, is higher than expected,

given subfreezing temperatures and depauperate nutrients in Arctic outflow waters into the western Atlantic.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/dschneider/


DR. PAUL SNELGROVE Director Canadian healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) http://www.mun.ca/osc/psnelgrov/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS- Dr. Snelgrove’s interests include marine community ecology, larval ecology and connectivity of fish and benthic invertebrates, biodiversity, hydrodynamic effects on benthic communities and populations, deep-sea ecology,

coral reef ecology, disturbance and anthropogenic impacts, and marine conservation. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2014-2015 Dr. Snelgrove’s lab continued to address questions in population connectivity, ecosystem services, and marine conservation. Work published in 2014-2015 focused primarily on connectivity in fishes, using a mixture of geochemical approaches, including research on environmentally mediated trends in otolith composition of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua); long distance linkage disequilibrium and limited hybridization suggest cryptic speciation in Atlantic cod; electronic tagging; and temporal and spatial migration of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) inside and outside a marine protected area and evidence for the role of prior experience in homing. A. Robar (MSc) and R. Belley (PhD) look at how biodiversity of invertebrates in sediments influences how carbon and nutrients are cycled in the oceans. N. Campanya I Llovet (PhD) has now completed all of her field work at the Neptune observatory and is working on laboratory analysis. M. van Wyngaarden (MSc co-supervised, I. Bradbury) project on genetic structure of scallops on the Atlantic coast has revealed that populations in the Newfoundland and Gulf of St. Lawrence regions differ from those to the south. This work has important implications for fisheries management. Two other graduate students – R. Stanley (PhD) and D. Schornagel (MSc, co-supervised R. Gregory, DFO) are about to submit their theses and the manuscripts associated with their thesis work. Postdoc C. Wei continued to build on collaborative work on using environmental variables to predict biodiversity patterns. He developed new collaborations with researchers at University of Quebec in Rimouski to understand patterns of seafloor fauna in Canada’s Arctic. During 2014 Dr. Snelgrove completed and published two significant reviews that set a research agenda on ecosystem functions in sediments and the ecology of deep-sea sediments. These papers were published in the high impact journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, and are already being cited. He was also invited to lead one chapter and co-author two chapters in the United Nations World Ocean Assessment. Furthermore, Dr. Snelgrove led a successful Letter of Intent to NSERC’s Strategic Networks Program, and the proposal was awarded 5 years of funding beginning June 2015. This collaborative proposal of 39 PIs partners with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the port of Septs-Iles, and several non-governmental agencies will address how cumulative impacts will affect Canada’s oceans and how different management interventions such as marine protected areas can help in mitigating undesirable change. Dr. Snelgrove continued as a member of the team representing Canada that is working with the European Commission to unite ocean research in the North Atlantic more effectively. A meeting in Brussels in 2015 followed from meetings in 2013 and 2014: a US National Science Foundation workshop, a European Research Association-Canada Rome Symposium on Arctic and Marine Research Infrastructure at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy and at “The Atlantic: A Shared Resource” Scientific Workshop, Galway Ireland.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/psnelgrov/bio.php


DR. JOE WROBLEWSKI http://www.mun.ca/osc/jwroblewski/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Joe Wroblewski’s research involves field studies and computer simulation modeling of changes in marine ecosystems in response to human activity, such as commercial fishing, natural resource development, and

anthropogenic climate change. He and his students are investigating how a warmer climate would affect the Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem, with a focus on the marine wildlife of the Gros Morne National Park region along the west coast of Newfoundland. Bonne Bay is a fjord-estuary near the southern boundary of the National Park. Field research conducted by Dr. Wroblewski and his colleagues at Memorial University is establishing the science basis for designating Bonne Bay as a National Marine Conservation Area. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2014-2015 Dr. Joe Wroblewski contributed the chapter “Common Estuarine and Marine Fishes of Newfoundland and Labrador” to the Field Guide to Newfoundland and Labrador edited by Dr. Michael Collins, forthcoming from Breakwater Books in St. John’s. Dr. Joe Wroblewski is writing a book titled Preserving Marine Heritage in Newfoundland and Labrador. This book reviews the natural, historical and cultural heritage sites in the Province and describes the role local people played in establishing these sites under provincial, federal and international heritage programs.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/jwroblewski/bio.php

http://www.mun.ca/osc/jwroblewski/bio.php


Emeritus Faculty

DR. GARTH FLETCHER http://www.mun.ca/osc/gfletcher/bio.php CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Fletcher’s research program focuses on antifreeze fish proteins (AFP) and their genes. These proteins, present in a wide variety of fish species inhabiting polar and sub polar/temperate oceans, play an essential role in the colonization of such potentially lethal environments. Antifreeze proteins bind to and thereby prevent the growth of embryonic ice crystals

that form within the fish’s extracellular fluids effectively lowering the fish’s freezing point; thus giving the fish a margin of safety that correlates with the severity of the environment inhabited. Characterization of the AFP types and of the genes controlling antifreeze production is providing valuable information on both antifreeze protein evolution, and on fish species evolution and population structure. Antifreeze protein gene research has led to the development of AFP and chimeric growth hormone gene constructs that can be used for the production of genetically modified fish for use in aquaculture.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2014-2015 Estuarine or marine habitats characterized by sub-zero water temperatures and sea level ice, which we refer to as “freeze-risk ecozones”, have persisted at high latitudes since the onset of polar glaciation some 30 to 45 million years ago. Although there is abundant evidence to suggest that the evolution of antifreeze proteins is essential to the survival of teleost fishes inhabiting such environments, little is known as to when, during this period, these proteins evolved. Our current research focusses on resolving this question by examining the AFP genes and comparing their expression in various taxonomic lineages. During the past several years we have been examining the family distribution and expression of Type III AFP within the suborder Zoarcoidei, which separated from other members of the Order Perciformes some 70 million years (70 Ma) ago. So far we have identified the type III AFP genes in five of the nine known families within this suborder the earliest of which separated from the other families approximately 26 Ma. Since the suborder Zoarcoidei is believed to have evolved in the North Pacific the presence of functional type III AFP in these fish implies that they faced the danger of freezing by coming into contact with sea ice at subzero water temperatures in this region during the late Oligocene.

http://www.mun.ca/osc/gfletcher/bio.php


OCEAN SCIENCES REPORTS

COLD-OCEAN DEEP-SEA RESEARCH FACILITY The Cold-Ocean Deep-Sea Research Facility (CDRF) at the Ocean Sciences Centre provides researchers with access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment for studying life from the level of the whole organism down to the microscopic. It has been designed specifically for the study of freshwater and marine organisms, especially those from the cold waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, although the unique nature of the facility also draws in researchers from a variety of medical, industrial and environmental fields. As the CDRF entered its second year of operation, activities have switched from set-up and training to conducting scientific research and developing expertise to support new work. The research capacity of the CDRF is diverse and has brought in users not only from the Department of Ocean Sciences but also Medicine, Engineering, Biochemistry and Chemistry as well as local industry and government partners. This includes the first of three years of work to support environmental effects monitoring (EEM) of offshore oil production operations in partnership with AMEC Foster Wheeler. This has involved processing gill, liver and blood samples from American plaice and then examining these tissues for evidence of toxicological exposure. The CDRF is now well situated to play an important role in understanding the aquatic health impacts of offshore petroleum activities on commercial fisheries and marine ecosystems in the region. The use of the deep-sea equipment has continued, where we have supported original work examining the survival and behaviour of marine invertebrates at deep-sea water pressures recreated in the lab (Dr. Annie Mercier). This equipment has also been used to test equipment for local companies that manufacture cameras and housing for deep-sea equipment. We have


collaborated with members of the Faculty of Engineering’s NRPOP group (Dr. Bing Chen) to examine interactions of oil and surfactants at high pressure. A pilot project was started with Exxon Mobil Biomedical Sciences (Dr. Roger Prince) using the deep-sea equipment to better understand oil biodegradation at depth. We continue to support some of the major projects described in this annual report, including GAPP programs where CDRF equipment and staff are assisting in the development of a biomarker platform for commercial aquaculture feed development (Dr. Matthew Rise). Expertise in cell culture and cytometry at the CDRF has been important in this work. This expertise has also been applied to studies of human cytokine expression (Dr. Sukhinder Cheema, Dr. Hitesh Vaidya) including flow cytometry studies of cytokine containing microvesicles (Dr. Sherri Christian). We have continued to explore how the advanced equipment of the CDRF can serve researchers by optimizing methods for the scanning electron microscope and have used it to characterise small, parasitic copepods (Dr. Harry Murray, DFO). Operations in the containment zone began this year, with the dry labs being made available for level 2 in vitro work. Much of the salmon cell culture work that precedes cytometric analysis is occurring in these labs. The containment zone (CZ) wastewater treatment capacity has been upgraded and the system has been tested with the first housing of Atlantic salmon in the wet labs of the CZ. These steps will now allow us to proceed with final certification of the completed facility for in vivo containment work.


DR. JOE BROWN AQUATIC RESEARCH BUILDING

The Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building (JBARB) provides facilities designed to support research, training, pre-commercial production, and small-scale commercial trials, on aquaculture related species (finfish and shellfish). Separate tanks and rooms are available for broodstock conditioning, paired mating, physiological aspects of marine finfish, hatchery, first feeding / nursery operations, and grow-out. Live food production can deliver quantities of rotifers and Artemia daily.

The JBARB carries out research in collaboration with Memorial University, government departments,

scientists and industry partners. The aquaculture potential of various finfish and shellfish species is being evaluated through the study of broodstock biology, and physiology and genomics, and the development of larval rearing techniques.

In 2014-2015, the JBARB has provided research based tours for 250 visitors, including researchers, government officials, and industry members from Canada, United States, Denmark, Europe, France, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland and Spain. The facility also helped in the training of three work-term students, two MUCEP students, 13 graduate students and three post-doctoral fellows.

Current Projects

Atlantic Cod Broodstock - Memorial University continues to hold cod broodstock for the

evaluation of numerous optimization processes which can lead to increased survival, hatch

rates and eventual growth and performance of cod larvae from selective cod broodstock.

Making a Better Fish Feed- International collaborative research to fine-tune fish feeds.

Researchers in the Department of Ocean Sciences are collaborating on a $3.8 million

international partnership to assess the effects of various diets on fish health at a molecular

level. (Drs. Parrish and Rise-DOS and Dr. Richard Taylor -EWOS).

Culturing American Oysters in Newfoundland. Research and development into creating a

sustainable Newfoundland oyster industry by importing stock to make a genetically viable

population in province while breeding with local species to take advantage of

environmental adaptation. (Badger Bay Mussel Farms Ltd.).

Fisheries and Aquaculture Related Biometrics of Sea Cucumber Cucumaria frondosa:

Resistance to Stress and Influence on Lipid Composition- Experiments conducted at JBARB


include the development of a reliable marking technique to determine habitat preferences in

the field and improve the transport conditions to processing plants (Fogo Island Co-op Ltd.).

A final experiment was undertaken to determine lipid profiles in gonads and muscle bands of

sea cucumbers fed either with live phytoplankton (Chaetoceros calcitrans) or cod eggs. (Dr.

Mercier-DOS).

Development of Biomarkers Technology to Assess the Potential Effects of Hydrocarbons. A

series of tank-based studies were used in the development of biomarkers technology to

assess the potential effects of hydrocarbons on Atlantic cod and sand lance, two

representative fish species that are of commercial and/or ecological importance to

Newfoundland and Labrador. (Dr. Juan Casanova, Oceans Ltd.).

Use of American lobster, Homarus americanus, in Multitrophic Aquaculture. The objectives of the project are to determine the effects of temperature change and food type on feeding rates, digestive efficiency and moulting/growth of cage held adult and to determine the potential to incorporate lobsters into integrated multitrophic aquacultureoperations. (Dr. McGaw-DOS).

Developing Tools and Solutions to Mitigate and Control Sea Lice on Cultured Atlantic Salmon. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Health Canada, in partnership with the Salmon Health Consortium, is currently working with salmon growers (Cold Ocean Salmon Inc.), government officials, therapeutant suppliers and researchers (JBARB staff and Dr. Fletcher-DOS and Dr. Keng Pee Ang- Department of Mathamatics) to develop the elements of an integrated pest management program for sea lice. The key elements of the program are prevention, monitoring and intervention, which parallel the designs of established integrated pest management programs in agriculture

Other Notable Projects

At Sea Behaviour of Anadromous Atlantic salmon and Arctic Charr Assessed by

Biotelemetry. This research is part of the Ocean Tracking Network integrative research

program.The study aims to compare the at sea behaviour of Atlantic salmon and Arctic charr,

and secondarily brook trout at 2-3 locations annually. It will also examine FW juvenile habit

use. The sample sizes reflect the number of fish that would need to be measured and tagged

at 3 locations to provide sufficient statistical inference to identify behavioural, life history and

other trait differences. (Dr. Ian Fleming, Kristin BÃ¸e, PhD candidate-DOS)

Feeding Based Study on the Marginal Value Theorem: - A model to describe behavior of a

foraging individual(s) in a patchy system. In this experiment, the fish will be presented with

a feed plate with varying amounts of food (20-80%) for varying amounts of time (2-24hrs).

The outcome will provide a baseline for future experiments to test the giving up density


theory - the critical point at which the density of food available no longer outways the cost of

feeding at that site. (Dr. Abrahams-DOS).

Metabolic mass scaling revisited: species-specific scaling exponents vary greatly depending

on the level of analysis (from individuals to the population) - The present study investigated

how the scaling of metabolic rate with body mass developed in 69 individually tagged juvenile

cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus). The fish were held at 15oC throughout the experiments,

under a 12:12 h light:dark photoperiod, and fed commercial pelleted food at a ration of

approximately 1.5-2% body mass per day. Results in progress. (Drs. Norin and Gamperl-DOS).

Mechanisms of winter dormancy in fishes: lessons about the roles of metabolic depression

and inactivity from a temperate wrasse, the cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus)-

Understanding how cunner functionsin the winter is important considering the potential use

of cunner for sea lice removal in salmon aquaculture. The project is investigating how tissue

and whole-animal metabolic rates in cunner respond to low temperature and day/night

cycles in whole animal activity level, to reveal whether low metabolic rates in cunner during

winter are achieved by a regulated physiological response or simply by becoming inactive.

(Drs. Speers - Roesch and Driedzic-DOS).

Evaluation of three delivery methods of a marine finfish hatchery diet to feed juvenile

cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) - An experiment to determine what to feed cultured

cunner being introduced to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) cage culture in Newfoundland and

the method of feed delivery in both hatchery and sea cages. (Caily Cole (Technical Project-

Aquaculture Student MI) and Dr. Jillian Westcott and Keith Rideout- MI).


ENGAGEMENT/PUBLIC OUTREACH

Since 1988 the Department of Ocean Sciences has organized and played a continuous role in public awareness in marine sciences through public and marine science programs. The current public education program (PEP) is a complimentary interactive and interpretive outdoors activity for tourists, school children and local visitors. Features of the program include an outdoor touch tank, where visitors can experience a never - ending variety of local marine life; an out - door observation platform for viewing our captive population of harp

seals; and marine interpreters (MUN summer students) to answer questions and explain current research initiatives at the facility. The program operates seven days a week from June 1st to Labour Day weekend. This past year the program welcomed over 19,000 visitors to the Centre, with an additional ~ 2,800 people exposed to our “Traveling Touch Tank” at various location throughout the Metro area. During the year we were able to deliver an outreach program to local schools, visiting primary and elementary schools on the Avalon with a traveling touch tank and seal video presentation. Students were introduced to the wonders of the ocean that surrounds Newfoundland while fulfilling some of their learning outcomes, such as the senses, lifecycles and ecosystems. The program was also able to continue its “Travelling Touch Tank” and other on-going outreach initiatives including attending several workshops and events to promote ocean awareness and education; celebrating Whale Festival with Parks Canada; presenting to the TD Summer Reading Club at the Provincial Library and visiting other libraries in the area; celebrating Champney’s West Day with the local residents; attending the MI Career Fair and Let’s Talk Science event; Biodiversity Day at Botanical Gardens; Science Rendezvous family event supported through the Faculty of Science; Science Literacy Week; Manufactured Right Here Expo; Kids Expo;

visiting many local day/summer camps, Easter Seals, Johnson Geo Centre, Manuals River Interpretation Centre, Autism Society; St. John’s International Airport and daycare facilities; and participating and presenting at the Eastern Newfoundland Regional Science Fair. The Ocean Sciences education program, working in collaboration with the Oceans Learning Partnership (OLP), Parks Canada, Johnson Geo Centre, Manual River Interpretation Centre and the Petty Harbour Mini


Aquarium delivered a successful Oceans Day weekend celebration. Events included a speaker’s series at the Parks Canada interpretation Centre on Signal Hill, Beach Day in middle Cove, and a scientific cruise aboard the Coastal Explorer vessel in Holyrood. Moreover, a number of job shadowing students (local high school) spent a day at the Ocean Sciences Centre learning about what it means to be a Marine Biologist.

The Department of Ocean Sciences, in collaboration with OLP, delivered a marine biodiversity program for high school students on land and at sea. The OLP is a not for profit corporate entity formed to address the lack of resources and opportunities for the youth of the province to be aware of the oceans, ocean life, oceans related research and technology and opportunities for oceans related education, training and careers. During the fall of 2014,

approximately 380 youth from schools in Avondale, Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South, St. John’s, Bell Island and Torbay participated in the program. The at-sea component involved a hands-on program on board the Coastal Explorer vessel, launching from the Holyrood Marine Base. Using state-of –the-art scientific and oceanographic equipment, students developed basic skills in the collection of oceanographic, meteorological and biological data. The complimentary laboratory based program at OSC focused on hand-on activities, including an invertebrate

dichotomous key, fish dissection, animal husbandry, water quality and working with the staff in the seal facility.

Furthermore, through collaborations with OLP, the department has taken the lead in driving and coordinating this initiative at the university and has been identified as a partner site, along with Bonne Bay Marine Station and Terra Nova National Park, for the delivery of shore-based education to the Avalon school district. This partnership has also spurred discussions with several funding agencies (IBRD, ACOA, DFA, DFO, etc.) and potential industry partners to expand public education and engagement initiatives at the Centre.


FACULTY ENGAGEMENT

The Department of Ocean Sciences faculty and staff have been supporting the efforts of the community of Champney’s West, in Trinity Bay to establish a public aquarium and learning centre. Our personnel provided advice in developing the plans for the facility and worked with the architects from the firm of Architecture 49. Substantial progress was made over the past year and the outside building structure is complete. The building is approximately 60 ft x 30 ft and is situated on a wonderful waterfront site that will allow immediate access to the intertidal zone. A photographic essay of the development may be found at www.champneysisland.net. In addition to the above Ocean Sciences personnel once again put up the touch tank and other displays for the annual Champney’s West Day celebrations. (Driedzic)

On June 19th, Ocean Sciences’ Dr. Patrick Gagnon and two of his graduate students, David Bélanger and Anne Provencher St-Pierre, had the pleasure of communicating, in French, their passion for oceans and marine life to 30 first-grade students from École des Grands-Vents (a K-12 French school located in St. John’s).Students were eager to learn about the seaweeds and animals that live in the sea through interactive presentations and hands-on activities.

Board of Directors, Oceans Learning Partnership (OLP), 2014-present (Snelgrove). The OLP is a not for profit corporate entity formed to address the lack of resources and opportunities for the youth of the province to be aware of the oceans, ocean life, oceans related research and technology and opportunities for oceans related education, training and careers.

http://www.champneysisland.net/


SEAL FACILITY The OSC is responsible for the care and maintenance of three harp seals. These animals are housed in the seal compound where they have access to three tanks supplied with a continuous flow of seawater pumped directly from the ocean. The oldest seal, Babette, came from the Îles de la Madeleine in 1989 as an adult, and her estimated age is 35 years. Tyler also came from the Îles de la Madeleine, but as a pup, in 1990. Babette, the first harp seal known to give birth in captivity and has given birth to many pups in her time here including the youngest seal, Deane, with Tyler as her father. Deane was named after Dr. Deane Renouf, a former Professor of Psychology who initiated the seal research program at the OSC. The seals are under the care of Mr. Daryl Jones, with assistance from Kiersten Cormier (technician), many volunteers, including undergraduate and high school students. The animals are fed daily with appropriate amounts of herring fortified with a prescribed multi-vitamin and amino acid supplement. The seals also need to be fed crushed ice on a daily basis as major source of fresh water. In order to ensure that the seals have a clean, healthy environment, their tanks are drained and cleaned on a weekly basis. At this point in time, each seal is weighed to make sure that they are maintaining a healthy body weight which fluctuates seasonally. Blood tests are also carried out whenever a medical examination is necessary. In addition to ensuring the health and welfare of the seals, their caregivers provide them with a variety of behavioural tasks designed to enrich the environment in which they live. These include training them to distinguish between different shapes and colours, and understanding the meaning of hand and whistle signals. The seals are rewarded with a fish snack for correct responses to a variety of signals. All of these behavioural training exercises are recorded using digital photography and videography and are analyzed for progress. Much of these environmental enrichment activities have involved students registered with “experiential learning programs” such as Women in Science and Engineering, Memorial's Undergraduate Career Experience Program, and the International Student Work Experience Program. Visits were also made to the Facility by school groups as part of the curriculum including MUN Biology 3711, Biology 4122 and Ocean Sciences 1000 classes. This year there were eleven high school classes that visited and partook in training the seals to do “Match-to-sample” training, among other labs. The Seal facility has also hosted visits from Academic institutions hoping to gain experience and training in harp seal husbandry. In May, Kiersten Cormier attended a Marine Veterinary workshop in Mexico to improve her skills in marine animal care and husbandry. The seals are a major component of the OSC public education program. Daryl and his seal caregivers speak with the public about the seals and their environmental enrichment training programs on a regular basis.


FIELD SERVICES UNIT

Memorial University has a dedicated dive team at their disposal and is one of the few universities in Canada with a scientific dive team that dive to the Canadian Association of Underwater Science Standard (CAUS). The Field services Unit (FSU) of the Ocean Science Centre (OSC) supports field work conducted by OSC faculty, staff and students. The unit is composed of three scientific divers and equipped with a 3 meter Zodiac, 5 meter Boston Whaler, and a 5 ton multipurpose diving support vehicle which gives the unit the ability to dive and work in

the field year-round. Last year the FSU had a total of 200 dives with a total dive time of 85.5hrs from both the shore and boat. The unit also collects and transports live specimens via one or two 2000L live tanks in the dive truck for several departments of Memorial University, including the Marine Institute and Bonne Bay Marine Station, and external agencies such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA), Ontario Science Centre, and Oceans Ltd. Furthermore the unit often collects and transports live and preserved specimens to other facilities and academic institutions both in Canada and internationally. During the 2015 season the FSU was involved with a Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building (JBARB) Project, “Cleaner Fish - Developing Tools and Solutions to Mitigate and Control Sea Lice on Cultured Atlantic Salmon”, where they aided with the collection and transport of mature lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) and lumpfish egg masses to the JBARB facility. As part of the ongoing research in aquaculture, the unit transports live farmed salmon, cod and rainbow trout from the Bay D’Espoir area, Pools Cove as well as a hatchery located in Stephenville back to the JBARB and Marine Institute while continually supplying and monitoring oxygen levels and fish health during transport. During the past couple years the unit has been involved in a collaborative project between DFO, DFA, and the OSC into the detection and monitoring of aquatic invasive species in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2013 the divers found a previously undetected, destructive invasive species known as the Vase Tunicate, Ciona intestinalis, in the Placentia Bay area and have been continually monitoring it since then with video transect surveys and samples. The project is part of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan to address the threat of aquatic invasive species. Divers from the unit have also been focused on conducting surveys to monitor the spread of green crab, Carcinus maenas, in the Placentia Bay and Trinity Bay. They have also been continually monitoring the presence and spread of the violet tunicate, Botrylloides violaceus, an invasive colonial tunicate in Belloram, as well as the invasive tunicate golden star (Botryllus schlosseri) in Marystown, Conception Bay and multiple sites in Placentia Bay. This past year the FSU, in collaboration with Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans,


followed up on a study to monitor the life cycle of the invasive Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) in Placentia Bay and Trinity Bay. The divers from the unit collected specimens via crab pots and hand collections, captured underwater video of multiple transects around Placentia Bay, collected numerous Eel grass samples and installed temperature loggers at intricate locations. This on-going project has promising results for understanding the life cycle, habitat, and possible mitigation measures. The FSU’s aim for the coming year will be continued involvement with JBARB cleaner fish project, continue to monitor known invasive species such as Green crab and tunicates while making biological collections for Memorial University’s researchers, students and public education programs. When possible, they plan to, aid in the mitigation of the invasive species and continually report any findings back to DFO. The unit continues to play an integral role in the research activities of the OSC and to provide support to other organizations as requested.


SAFETY COMMITTEE The Department of Ocean Sciences is committed to providing and maintaining a healthy and safe working and learning environment for all workers, students, volunteers and visitors. This is achieved by observing best practices which meet or exceed the standards to comply with legislative requirements as contained in the Newfoundland Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Nuclear Safety and Control Act and other statutes, their regulations and the policies, programs and procedures established by the University. Ocean Sciences is equally committed to preventing accidents in the workplace. This is achieved by continuous improvement in the workplace inspections and health and safety training. The Department of Ocean Sciences is responsible for the provision of information, training and equipment and resources to ensure compliance with all relevant statutes and internal health and safety programs.


VISITORS The Ocean Sciences Centre is visited throughout the year by individuals and groups from various sectors of government, academic institutions, and industry. During the 2013-2014 academic year the following groups and individuals visited the OSC /JBARB/CDRF. Academic Institutions Natural Resources Technology and Large Animal and Exotic Health, Academy Canada Veterinary Technician, Academy Canada Atlantic Veterinary College, PEI Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture, Marine Institute University of South Florida, USA Laval University, Quebec Holy Names University, California Society for Conservation Biology University of California Riverside, USA Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA University of Costa Rica Oslo and Akershus University of Applied Science (HIOA)

Government & Government agencies Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) National Research Council (NRC) - IRAP Canadian Council for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) Innovation Trade and Rural Development (IBRD) Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Research and Development Corporation (RDC) Genome Atlantic Genome Canada Senate Fisheries Committee State of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council, USA

Industry/ Business/Non-profit C-Core Oceans Ltd AMEC Fogo Island Co-op Cold Water Fisheries Inc. Merasheen Oyster Farms Ltd. Badger Bay Mussel Farms Newfoundland Cod Broodstock Company Ltd. Northern Harvest Smolt Ltd.


Metabolix

Cook Aquaculture Inc. Sunrise/Connaigre Fish Farms Inc. Grieg Seafoods NL Ltd Exxon Mobil

Ewos Innovation Norway Cold Ocean Salmon Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) SULIS Subsea Corporation Woman in Science and Engineering (WISE) Oceans Learning Partnership (OLP)


ADMINISTRATION

Head & Director Dr. Garth L. Fletcher (2009 – present)

Deputy Head

Dr. Chris Parrish (2013-present)

Cold-Ocean Deep-Sea Research Facility (CDRF) Steven Hill

Facility & Business Manager Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building

Danny Boyce

Research Marketing Manager/Undergraduate Student Advisor/Graduate Student Coordinator/ Engagement

Danielle Nichols

Field and Laboratory Services Supervisor Jim Devereaux

Administrative Staff Specialist III

Marsha Roche

Intermediate Secretary Winnie Sparkes

Intermediate Clerk Steno

JoAnn Greening

Research Assistant Animal Husbandry /Seal Facility

Daryl Jones

Computing Services Image & Data Analysis Facility CREAIT

Marc Bolli


COMMITTEES

Promotion and Tenure Don Deibel William Driedzic Patrick Gagnon Iain McGaw Richard Rivkin

Search Committee William Driedzic Ian Fleming Kurt Gamperl (Chair) Annie Mercier Chris Parrish

Graduate Studies Ian Fleming (Graduate Officer Sept- Dec 2014) Kurt Gamperl Chris Parrish Paul Snelgrove (Graduate Officer Jan-August 2015) Brendan Wringe (Graduate Student representative)

Undergraduate Studies

Ian Fleming Patrick Gagnon Annie Mercier Chris Parrish (Undergraduate officer) Matt Rise

Graduate Student Recruitment Kurt Gamperl Annie Mercier Iain McGaw

Scientific Advisory Committee OSC CREAIT(ARC)

Chris Parris (Chair) Matthew Rise

Science Council Standing Committees Chris Parrish - Undergraduate Studies Ian Fleming -Graduate Studies Pat Gagnon- Library Nominating- Paul Snelgrove

University Senate Ian Fleming

MUN Animal Care Kurt Gamperl


CDRF User Committee Chris Parrish (Chair) Kurt Gamperl Matt Rise Annie Mercier Pat Gagnon Steven Hill (Ex Officio)

OSC Tours Danielle Nichols Danny Boyce Steve Hill

Space Committee:

Danielle Nichols

Safety Committee:

Connie Short (Co-Chair) Kurt Gamperl Marsha Roche (Co-Chair) Andrew Perry Mark Bailey (Ec-Officio)- MUN Diving Safety Officer

Social Committee Margaret Shears Danielle Nichols Daryl Jones Kiersten Cormier Mallory Vanwyngaarden


FACULTY

Dr. Mark Abrahams - Professor, Dean of Science - B.Sc (Hons.) University of Western Ontario, MSc Queen’s University, PhD Simon Fraser University.

Dr. Donald Deibel - Professor (Research) -B.Sc Bucknell Univ. USA, PhD Univ. of Georgia, USA.

Dr. William Driedzic - Professor - B.Sc (Hons.) York, M.Sc. Toronto, PhD. British Columbia. Canadian Research Chair Tier I - Marine Bioscience.

Dr. Garth L. Fletcher - Professor Emeritus - B. Sc. Univ. of British Columbia, Ph. D. Univ. of California.

Dr. Ian A. Fleming - Professor - B.Sc Queen’s Univ., M.Sc. Simon Fraser Univ., PhD. Univ. of Toronto.

Dr. Patrick Gagnon- Assistant Professor - B.Sc Laval University, M.Sc. Laval University, PhD Laval University.

Dr. Kurt Gamperl - Professor - B.Sc (Hons.) Univ.of Guelph, M.Sc. Univ. of Guelph, PhD Dalhousie Univ.

Dr. Iain McGaw- Associate Professor - B.Sc. University of Wales, Bangor, UK, Ph.D. University of Wales, Bangor, UK

Dr. Annie Mercier - Associate Professor - B.Sc Université de Sherbrooke, M.Sc. Université du Québec à Rimouski, Ph.D. Université du Québec à Rimouski.

Dr. Chris Parrish - Professor (Research) - B.Sc Univ. College of Swansea, UK, PhD Dalhousie Univ.

Dr. Matthew L. Rise - Assistant Professor - B.Sc. Whitworth College, M.Sc. Boston College, Ph.D. University of Victoria. Canadian Research Chair Tier II – Marine Biotechnology

Dr. Richard Rivkin - Professor - B.Sc. City College of New York, USA, M.Sc. City College of New York, USA., Ph.D. Univ. of Rhode Island, USA. University Research Professor

Dr. David Schneider - Professor - B.Sc. Duke, Durham, NC, USA, Ph.D. SUNY, Stony Brook, Long Island, NY, USA.

Dr. Paul Snelgrove - Professor - B.Sc. Hon. Memorial Univ., M.Sc. McGill., Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Canadian Research Chair Tier II - Boreal and Cold Ocean Systems

Dr. Joseph Wroblewski - Professor (Research) - B.Sc. Univ. of Illinois, USA, M.Sc. Florida Univ., USA, Ph.D. Florida State Univ., USA.


OSC Directors/ Head Dr. Fred Aldrich – Director (1967 – 1971) Dr. David Idler – Director (Sept 1, 1971 – 1987) Dr. Richard Haedrich – Director (1987 – 1992) Dr. Laurence Crim – Director (June 1992-Sept, 1998) Dr. Raymond Thompson – Acting Director (Sept. 1998 – Dec. 31, 1998) Dr. William Driedzic – Director (Jan. 1999-May 2002) Dr. Chris Parrish – Interim Director (May - Dec. 2002), Acting Director (Jan – May 2002) Dr. Joe Brown - Interim Director – (Jan. 1, 2003- June 30, 2004) Dr. Ian Fleming – Director (July 2004-June 2009) Dr. Garth Fletcher – Director (July 2009 – June 2012) Dr. Garth Fletcher- Department Head (July 2012-Present) Cross - Appointees Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi - Biochemistry Dept. Dr. Helene Volkoff - Biology Dept. Dr. Craig Purchase- Biology Dept. Dr. Brett Favaro- CASD, MI Dr. Sherrylynn Rowe- CFER, MI Adjunct Professors Dr. Ian Bradbury- Department of Fisheries and Oceans Dr. Dave Cote - Terra Nova National Park Dr. Brian Dixon- University of Waterloo Dr. Alexandra Eaves- Stantec Dr. Tony Farrell- University of British Columbia Dr. Michelle Hale-University of Portsmouth Dr. Peter Lawton- St. Andrews Biological Station, NB Dr. Cynthia McKenzie- Department of Fisheries and Oceans Dr. Corey Morris- Department of Fisheries and Oceans Dr. Patrick O’Reilly- Diadromous Fish Division, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Dr. P. Pepin - Department of Fisheries and Oceans Visiting Scientists Dr. Douglas Syme- University of Calgary, June 11-July 1, 2015. (Gamperl) Dr. Nurgül ŞEN ÖZDEMİR- Bingöl University in Turkey, Mar. 15--Sept. 25, 2015 (Parrish)


STAFF Research Assistants and Science Technicians Kiersten Cormier – Science Technician II (Seals-Started May 2014) Kathy Clow – Research Assistant II (Driedzic) Corinne Conway- Research Assistant (Abrahams) Daryl Jones - Research Assistant I (Seals/Department) Margaret Shears- Research Assistant II (Fletcher/Department) Connie Short - Research Assistant II (Driedzic/Department) Christine Vickers – Research Assistant I (Snelgrove/ Department) Xi Xue- Research Assistant I (Rise) Administrative and Computer Support Staff JoAnn Greening- Intermediate Clerk Steno Danielle Nichols - Research Marketing Manager Marsha Roche- Administrative Staff Specialist III Winnie Sparkes - Intermediate Secretary CREAIT Marc Bolli - Research Computer Specialist (CREAIT) Jennifer Hall - Research Assistant II (CREAIT) Ken Langdon - Computer Support Technician (CREAIT) Jeanette Wells - Research Assistant I (CREAIT) Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building (JBARB) Danny Boyce – Business and Facilities Manager Kelsie Jennot- Science Technician III Jennifer Monk - Science Technician III Denise Tucker - Science Technician III Cold Ocean Research Facility (CDRF) John Evely- Water Quality Specialist Steven Hill- Manager Gordon Nash- Research Assistant Nicole Smith- Research Assistant Field Services Robert O’Donnell- Dive Technician (Retired June 2015) George Bishop- Dive Technician Andrew Perry- Dive Technician Zachery Ryan – Dive Technician


Laboratory and Technical Services Danny Au - Laboratory Facility Technician I Robert Cadigan- Facilities Custodian Randy Cahill - Facility Custodian Chris Canning- Laboratory Facility Technician I Michael Carrigan - Facility Custodian James Devereaux - Laboratory Services Supervisor Walter Martin- Delivery person Damien Whitten - Laboratory Facility Technician II Harry Young- Facility Custodian Facilities Management Ted Smith Sean Thorne Justin Ronayne Technical Services Tony Druken- Electrician/Technical Services Graduate Teaching Assistants (TA) - Katie Verkaik Mike Persiak Travis Nielsen Emy Montgomery Brendan Wringe


STUDENT ASSISTANTS Fall 2014 Andrea Victoria Arnold- Jones Stephanie Graham- Jones Sarah Walsh- Jones Winter 2015 Andrea Victoria Arnold- Jones Julie Craberry- Jones Kelsie Jeannot- Boyce Spring/Summer 2015 Andrea Victoria Arnold- Jones Julie Craberry- Jones Kelsie Jeannot- Boyce Angelisa Osmand- Jones Alison McArthur- Nichols Samanda Stroud-Nichols Ashley Newhook- Boyce Kierstyn Rideout- Boyce Kathleen Parrish-Rise MUCEP Students Fall 2014 Tyler Engert- Mercier Kelsie Jeannot- Boyce Angelia Osmond- Fleming Leah Roberson- Mercier Nadine Rochwood- Snelgrove Winter 2015 Rebeccah Sandrelli- Gamperl Angelisa Osmond- Parrish Lesley Clark- Snelgrove Leah Roberson- McGaw Spring 2015 Julie Carberry- Jones Adam Cook- Parrish Nicholas Wittering- Nichols Nicole Payette- Nichols Rebeccah Sandrelli- Snelgrove

ISWEP Fall 2014 Nathan Burnham- Nichols Hoon Kang- Jones Winter 2015 Nathan Burnham- Nichols Hoon Kang- Jones Spring 2015 Ugochukwu Anyanwu- Jones Ling Xu- Jones Jason Cho-Nichols Daniela Yamamoto - Nichols WISE Katie Brenton Kaylie Chaulk Seal Volunteers Berit Sellars Chelsea Bishop Catherine Hooper Raylene Noftall Abby Robbins Emily Wells Viktoria Roskin Sarah Walsh Claire Pratt Julie Carberry Heather Kennedy Angelisa Dennis Krystina Lewis Heather Hiscock

Ocean Sciences Annual Report 2014-2015(CNIE) at the CNIE-RCIE & CAUCE 2015 Conference in Winnipeg....

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Transcript of Ocean Sciences Annual Report 2014-2015(CNIE) at the CNIE-RCIE & CAUCE 2015 Conference in Winnipeg....