Located on the shores of the Bedford Basin in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, the Bedford Institute
Located on the shores of the Bedford Basin in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, the Bedford Institute

of Oceanography – also known as BIO – is Canada’s largest centre for multi-disciplinary
of Oceanography – also known as BIO – is Canada’s largest centre for multi-disciplinary

ocean research.
ocean research.

At BIO, Fisheries and Oceans Canada science teams work collaboratively with partners to
At BIO, Fisheries and Oceans Canada science teams work collaboratively with partners to

monitor and research changes and important issues facing our oceans.
monitor and research changes and important issues facing our oceans.

Together they’re studying a large range of things - from the growth and movement of
Together they’re studying a large range of things - from the growth and movement of

plankton which is critical in the aquatic food chain - to identifying important habitat
plankton which is critical in the aquatic food chain - to identifying important habitat

and sensitive areas using seabed mapping, and the study of the species that live there
and sensitive areas using seabed mapping, and the study of the species that live there

– like deep water corals and sponges.
– like deep water corals and sponges.

As a Benthic ecologist, I study the organisms which live on or in the sea floor.
As a Benthic ecologist, I study the organisms which live on or in the sea floor.

So it’s really important to have an understanding not only of the sediment or sea bed structure
So it’s really important to have an understanding not only of the sediment or sea bed structure

that they are found on but also on the overlying water masses which may control their distribution.
that they are found on but also on the overlying water masses which may control their distribution.

Fisheries science work at BIO provides the foundation for science advice that fisheries
Fisheries science work at BIO provides the foundation for science advice that fisheries

managers require to make evidence based decisions about Canada’s important aquatic resources.
managers require to make evidence based decisions about Canada’s important aquatic resources.

In BIO’s virology lab, scientists are studying fish viruses to safeguard the health of our
In BIO’s virology lab, scientists are studying fish viruses to safeguard the health of our

aquatic animal resources, including species that Canadians depend on for food and their
aquatic animal resources, including species that Canadians depend on for food and their

livelihoods.
livelihoods.

With the help of traps like this one - set up all over the eastern coast - BIO scientists
With the help of traps like this one - set up all over the eastern coast - BIO scientists

are tracking aquatic invasive species in efforts to control their spread in Canadian waters.
are tracking aquatic invasive species in efforts to control their spread in Canadian waters.

Scientists here are also conducting ongoing research and monitoring of marine mammals,
Scientists here are also conducting ongoing research and monitoring of marine mammals,

turtles, and other species at risk that contributes to their conservation.
turtles, and other species at risk that contributes to their conservation.

The pier at BIO provides a launching point for science teams heading into the field to
The pier at BIO provides a launching point for science teams heading into the field to

collect samples and gather data on the seabed, ecosystems and habitats, fish populations,
collect samples and gather data on the seabed, ecosystems and habitats, fish populations,

and physical ocean properties.
and physical ocean properties.

Scientists are using both traditional and cutting edge oceanographic technologies to
Scientists are using both traditional and cutting edge oceanographic technologies to

monitor changes in our oceans - such as temperature, salinity, acidity, and oxygen - over time…
monitor changes in our oceans - such as temperature, salinity, acidity, and oxygen - over time…

These gliders are autonomous sampling tools that are being used to study the water column
These gliders are autonomous sampling tools that are being used to study the water column

on an ongoing basis.
on an ongoing basis.

Once launched they travel the Scotian Shelf for a month at a time collecting data at a rate
Once launched they travel the Scotian Shelf for a month at a time collecting data at a rate

not possible before.
not possible before.

The glider program is a program that helps us to monitor the ocean
The glider program is a program that helps us to monitor the ocean

to do sampling in the water column further offshore.
to do sampling in the water column further offshore.

The long term monitoring program is very important to notice any changes in the water column
The long term monitoring program is very important to notice any changes in the water column

that can affect biology and sea life.
that can affect biology and sea life.

BIO has a long history of innovation, and scientists have access to some of the most
BIO has a long history of innovation, and scientists have access to some of the most

sophisticated tools to conduct their research and monitoring.
sophisticated tools to conduct their research and monitoring.

In the case where a tool doesn’t exist, the engineering and technical staff can make
In the case where a tool doesn’t exist, the engineering and technical staff can make

them.
them.

If I want to make a specific kind of measurement in a hostile place like the arctic with limited
If I want to make a specific kind of measurement in a hostile place like the arctic with limited

resources, I can go down the hall to some of my colleagues who are brilliant designers
resources, I can go down the hall to some of my colleagues who are brilliant designers

and electronic technicians and engineers, and we can work together to come up with a
and electronic technicians and engineers, and we can work together to come up with a

solution that gets the science done….
solution that gets the science done….

It’s a fabulous place to work.
It’s a fabulous place to work.

BIO also has a science team that works to protect the ocean from man-made problems like
BIO also has a science team that works to protect the ocean from man-made problems like

oil spills.
oil spills.

This wave tank is designed to study these effects.
This wave tank is designed to study these effects.

The goal of their research is to better understand how oil might behave in a natural environment
The goal of their research is to better understand how oil might behave in a natural environment

and identify best methods to respond to spills.
and identify best methods to respond to spills.

The work that’s being done by Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science staff and partners
The work that’s being done by Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science staff and partners

at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography is increasing our understanding of our oceans
at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography is increasing our understanding of our oceans

and marine and coastal resources, to ensure healthy, productive, and navigable waters
and marine and coastal resources, to ensure healthy, productive, and navigable waters

for current and future generations.
for current and future generations.