Last Update: July 19, 2005

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Dr. Laura C. Halfyard, B.Ed., B.Sc. (Hons.)(Biology), M.Sc.
(Aquaculture and Fisheries Management), Ph.D. (Aquaculture)
Lecturer / Researcher / Consultant

Dr. Halfyard has over 20 years experience as a fisheries / aquaculture specialist working in developing countries. Her experience includes: needs assessment, aquaculture and agriculture program development and review, curriculum development, teaching materials development, equipment needs assessment, marine finfish nutrition, aquaculture systems design and assessment, gender and minority issues review, human resource development, and national and regional workshop coordination and delivery.

A strong working knowledge of Canadian, Asian, African and European connections has been the basis of cultured and wild fisheries activities. Her education and practical experiences have also stemmed from industry and family ties to rural capture and aquaculture businesses.

Provincial and national research efforts have been directed to the husbandry and nutritional requirements of various marine finfish species. International efforts have involved integrated farming practices for aquaculture and agriculture.

Gender issues have been the focus of seminars and activities linked to international projects in Malawi, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kenya, etc. Over the years, Dr. Halfyard has also been involved in various Newfoundland/Canadian female recruitment activities into non-traditional careers. She is also the President of Women in Science and Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador (WISE NL).

Dr. Halfyard has extensive experience in course/program development for outreach/extension/industry training, college/university programs, as well as school programs. This has included a wide range of formats from participatory/community based approaches to webct computer based instruction.

Contacts:

Email: Laura.Halfyard@mi.mun.ca
Telephone: (709) 778-0363
Fax: (709) 778-0670
Office: W2025

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) (Aquaculture), University of Stirling, Scotland
• Master of Science (Aquaculture and Fisheries Management), University of Stirling
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biology), Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Bachelor of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Work History:

• 1983 - present: Lecturer / Researcher / Consultant / Program Development / Program Coordinator (1991-1994), Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development, Marine Institute, MUN
• 1982 – 83: High/Junior High School Science Teacher, Terra Nova Integrated School Board, Gander, NL
• 1978 – 82: Science Instructor and related subjects (Biology/ Chemistry/ Physics/ Mathematics and English), Gander and Springdale District Vocational Schools, NL

Research and Industry Consultation:

• International, national and provincial aquaculture training and education (i.e. masters, graduate diploma, degree, certificate, school, public education)
• Utilization of aquaculture and wild fishery by-product wastes
• Wolffish wild fishery stocks
• Wolffish aquaculture
• Biochemical analysis for marine finfish and diets
• Atlantic cod culture and flesh quality
• Gender and cultural issues related to aquaculture and the fisheries
• Culture systems for marine larval fish
• Live food considerations for marine larval fish
• Formulated feeds for marine finfish
• Tilapia and hydroponics culture
• Integrated farming methods
• Aquaculture site assessment
• Shellfish culture (shrimp, molluscs)

International Experience:

• 2006-present: Sustainable Rice Fish Integration Project, ACCC-CIDA, Aquaculture and Gender Specialist, Prek Leak National School of Agriculture (PNSA), Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• 2005-present: Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security Project, AUCC-CIDA, Gender and Aquaculture/Fisheries Specialist, Malawi College of Fisheries and Malawi Dept. of Fisheries, Malawi.
• 1997-present: Wolffish Industry Assessment and Research Collaboration between Quebec, Norway and Newfoundland.
• 2006-2009: North American Mobility Project, Linkages among universities in Newfoundland (MI-MUN), Nova Scotia (NSAC), USA (Virginia Tech.) and Mexico for graduate case studies (e.g. integrated agriculture-aquaculture farming) and live on-line discussions.
• 2001-2006: Vietnam Canada Community College Project, CIDA, Aquaculture Specialist, Tra Vinh Community College, Tra Vinh,Vietnam and Canada.
• 2001-2006: Regional Aquaculture Development Project – Malawi/Canada - CIDA, Aquaculture and Gender Specialist, Bunda College/University of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.
• 1999-2001: Regional/National/ International Workshops (~25), HRDC (Human Resources Development Canada) and NAIA (Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association), Coordinator, Newfoundland, Canada. NAIA and MI presently working on new series for industry training.
• 1994-1998: Aquaculture Training Project - Vietnam CIDA, Project Leader, Fisheries Technical Vocational College No. 4, Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam.
• 1993: Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada) – Moi University (Kenya) Project 1993-2000, CIDA, Aquaculture and Gender Specialist, Eldoret, Kenya.
• 1988-present: Other international aquaculture projects, research and graduate linkages have included industry partners, professors and research colleagues, students, etc. from various fisheries and aquaculture sectors. This has provided enhanced cultural knowledge and connections in countries in Africa, Asia, South America, North America, Europe, South Pacific, etc.

Student Theses / Research:

• Gaudreau C. (present). Growth performance of spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor). M.Sc. thesis in progress in Quebec.
• Hickey S. (present). Parasite epidemiology of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). M.Sc. thesis in progress.
• Rowsell N. J. (2009). Incorporation of a Krill Protein Hydrolysate into the feeding regime of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae: Effect on growth and survival. M.Sc. Aqua. thesis, MUN.
• Monk J.G. (2008). Growth, survival and behaviour of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). M.Sc. thesis, MUN.
• Chimwemwe K.S. 2005. Efficacy of garlic juice and lemon juice as bio-product treatments for Ichthyophthirius multifilius (‘Ich’) infections of juvenile nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. M.Sc. Aqua. thesis, MUN.
• Kamg’ombe J. 2004. Development of feeding protocols for Tilapia rendalli in Malawi reared in semi-intensive culture systems. Ph.D. thesis, MUN.
• Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture Research Projects over past 20 years involving:
  • Broodstock diet development for cod, wolffish
  • Growth and health performance of marine finfish (e.g. cod, halibut, wolffish, flounder) under different dietary regimes
  • Fish meal replacement in diets
  • Chemoattractants in finfish diets
  • Immunostimulants in finfish diets
  • Live feeding diets and enrichments
  • Anaesthetics for marine finfish
  • Hydroponic systems with tilapia
  • Cage design for benthic fish species