Irving Shipbuilding and the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction & Response Network (MEOPAR) are providing $305,000 in support of a University of Calgary research project on marine environmental observation, prediction, and response plans for Canada’s Arctic.

In partnership with the Arctic Research Foundation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and groups such as the Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Organization, Dr. Brent Else and his team at the University of Calgary will work with community members from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut to study the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to external pressures from industry, oil spills, ocean acidification and other impacts.

“This data will be used to develop response plans to prepare at-risk areas to react to threats as they occur including a plan to mitigate oil spill events, and identifying locations vulnerable to ocean acidification,” said Dr. Else.

Six research positions will be created by this project:

• 1 postdoc (Université du Laval)
• 3 Ph.D. students (University of Calgary, McGill University, and University of Manitoba)
• 1 Master’s student (University of Calgary)
• 1 undergraduate student (University of Calgary)

Partners/Stakeholders:

• University of Calgary
• Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies 
• NSERC
• Arctic Research Foundation
• Campus Alberta Innovates Program
• Northern Science Training
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada  
• Polar Knowledge Canada
• Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Organization

Read more about MEOPAR and Irving Shipbuilding’s joint funding of Canadian oceans research.

Learn more about Dr. Else’s research work in the Arctic.

About MEOPAR: 

The Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) is strengthening Canada’s ability to anticipate and respond to marine risk.  Established in 2012 through the Federal Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence Program, MEOPAR funds interdisciplinary academic research, trains highly qualified personnel with expertise in marine risk and response, and connects academic research and technology to national and international partners in government, industry and the private sector.  To learn more, please visit www.meopar.ca. 

About Irving Shipbuilding Inc.: 

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is part of the J.D. Irving, Limited Group of companies which includes operations in Agriculture, Construction & Equipment, Consumer Products, Energy, Food, Forestry & Forestry Products, Retail & Distribution and Shipbuilding & Industrial Fabrication. Its primary site is the Halifax Shipyard, with four other locations in the Maritime Provinces. In 2011, Irving Shipbuilding was selected as Canada’s Combatant Shipbuilder under the merit-based National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and is in the early stages of a 30-year military shipbuilding program.