Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

Marsha Clarke is an Aquaculture Technologist with CASD. She holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree from Dalhousie University, with a major in Aquaculture. She completed her Master of Science in Aquaculture at Memorial University in 2008, where she studied cod eggs and larvae at the Ocean Sciences Centre.

Since graduating, she has been working as a research technologist – working first at DFO from 2008 - 2010, and having now been with the Marine Institute since 2011.

Marsha has worked on a variety of projects with the aquaculture industry, a bulk of it being in the blue mussel sector. She has also completed projects focused on seafood processing and bioprocessing. She enjoys the variety in the work she does with CASD, and would be hard-pressed to choose a singular research topic of interest, when she feels it’s all so very interesting!

Cyr Couturier completed his graduate studies in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University in 1986. He has 35 years experience in applied research, project development and management, teaching, and extension services in the aquaculture and fisheries sectors. He is currently Chair of aquaculture programs at Memorial University, with programs ranging from on-farm extension courses to post-graduate professional and research degrees.

He is a research scientist with the aquaculture section of the Marine Institute of Memorial University. His areas of research span a wide range of topics, including enhanced farm production, environmental management and aquaculture interactions. He held an adjunct faculty position at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

He is currently project leader on several research and development projects with partners in the shellfish and finfish culture industries in Newfoundland, and elsewhere. He has worked with people from and in 18 countries around the world in development, trade missions, and extension and technology transfer / science exchange programs. Cyr participates fully in a range of academic, industry and professional organizations devoted to sustainable aquaculture development.

He is currently the President of the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association, a President Elect of the Aquaculture Association of Canada, Director and Vice President for the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. He is a technical advisor to several federal government departments on sustainable aquaculture issues, including Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, and others.

He is a member of the CFIA National Aquatic Animal Health Advisory Committee, the ISO 65 Technical Advisory Committee (NL). He is an SQF Expert and has expertise in HACCP and Quality Management Programs for seafood. Cyr is a member of several grant selection committees for regional and national organizations funding pure and applied, innovative science.

He has published in excess of 80 technical, industrial, peer-reviewed, and science and policy commentary articles, in English, French and Norwegian. He is a frequent invited speaker and technical expert (in both French and English) at regional, national, and international symposia on aquaculture and fisheries related topics.

Cyr has received several awards for his contributions to education, research and development in aquaculture, including Aquaculture Association of Canada Lifetime Achievement Award (2014), Science Atlantic Hall of Fame Contributing Member Award (2013), and Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Aquaculturist of the Year Award (2008).

Chris Dawe is the Aquaculture Facility Supervisor.

My education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Memorial University, Advanced diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture from the Marine Institute and a certificate in Recirculation Technology from Cornell University. I am currently working on a Masters of Aquaculture Technology Management from the Marine Institute.

I have 15 years of experience in the aquaculture field with both private industry and research institutions and have been working with CASD for 9 of those years. My time is split between the School and Fisheries and CASD. I support the academic programs in the SOF and provide expertise and guidance on industrial research projects. My main interests are recirculating aquaculture systems and custom rearing system design and construction.

Tracy Granter is a Senior Aquaculture Technologist with CASD. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Memorial University, an Advanced Graduate diploma in Aquaculture, a Post-Graduate certificate in Quality Management and a Masters of Aquaculture Technology Management from the Marine Institute.

Tracy has 25 years of experience in the aquaculture field with both private industry and research institutions and has been working with CASD for 15 of those years. She leads projects that focus on innovative research and development for the promotion of sustainable aquaculture. Tracy’s interests span from shellfish health to emerging aquaculture species.