Shelley Denny

Director of Aquatic Research and Stewardship
 

Around UINR Shelley Denny is known to be active in many aspects of marine biology, but ask anyone what Shelley is most passionate about in her work and the answer is EEL! The eel represents to Shelley much more than a creature to be studied, she recognizes its spiritual, cultural and historical signifiance to the Mi’kmaq people.

It’s no wonder that Shelley ended up working with the inhabitants of the Bras d’Or Lakes–both the creatures and the people! Her first job as a student was to sample lobster and snow crab and she continued her studies to gain a Masters of Science in Biology in fisheries ecology from St. F.X. University. Her continuing education includes courses in open-water scuba diving. An avid reader, Shelley is a self-confessed Student-of-Life and listens to the voice of Mother Earth and the teachings of our Elders. Shelley learns by listening to people in the communities she serves.

“There are so many things that I find rewarding. I am passionate about the Bras d’Or Lakes and all she nourishes. I really enjoy working with our communities. When we open ourselves to the communities, we open ourselves to valuable teachings. These teachings give me direction for my role at UINR.”

You could break down the work Shelley does at UINR into three areas:

  • Research– “We use science and two-eyed seeing to address questions relating to marine and aquatic issues.”
  • Technical support– “UINR can act in an advisory role for Mi’kmaq communities on environmental concerns, fishing and potential effects of development.”
  • Stewardship–“Gathering information is fine, but our Elders are frustrated when no action is taken to address the problems. Stewardship is a way we can change behaviour that harms the environment. It helps us re-establish our interconnection with nature. We are responsible for Mother Earth. Let’s take our responsibility to action.”

Shelley’s activities and accomplishments range from enhancing the Bras d’Or Lakes with artificial lobster habitat to developing a management plan for Mi’kmaq traditional use of lobster, and using traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge and scientific approaches in studying eels. Her knowledge on marine water quality helps us understand the environmental water quality in the Bras d’Or Lakes and what areas and issues that need to be addressed.

 

 

Shelley: In the News

Plamu/ Salmon NOTICE

Plamu/ Salmon NOTICE

January 20, 2017News, Research

Salmon returns remain critically low in most of Nova Scotia. Kelt fishing is only permitted in the Margaree River. Please refrain from fishing and/or keeping kelts (slinks, black salmon) in any other river. For more information please contact your local fisheries office.   Here’s a printable version of our poster.

Attention Unama’ki Salmon Fishers

Attention Unama’ki Salmon Fishers

January 20, 2017News, Research

Please report the river, date, and number of salmon kept between June and December, 2016 to your local fishery department by January 31, 2017. Please indicate whether retained salmon were large (63 cm or larger, 24 inches or larger) or small (less than 63 cm or 24 inches.) It’s our responsibility to report our catches … Read More

Two New Books on Oysters and Mi’kmaw Knowledge

Two New Books on Oysters and Mi’kmaw Knowledge

November 17, 2016News

Bras d’Or Lakes’ oysters have been harvested and enjoyed for thousands of years. UINR just published two new books on oysters–one, an illustrated children’s book in Mi’kmaw and English, and the other on Mi’kmaq ecological knowledge and scientific research. Both books are written by UINR’s Shelley Denny, Angela Denny, Emma Garden, and Tyson Paul. The Oyster Garden, Kiju’ … Read More

Oyster Expert Guest Speaker at Book Launch

Oyster Expert Guest Speaker at Book Launch

November 13, 2016News, Research

René Lavoie is UINR’s special guest speaker at the launch of UINR’s two new books on oysters on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 11:00 am at Membertou Heritage Park. Dr. Lavoie is no stranger to oysters. For nearly fifty years he has been involved in oyster management and research with DFO and Aquaculture Association of Canada. … Read More

Two New Books on Oysters Launched

Two New Books on Oysters Launched

November 7, 2016News, Research, Unama'KIDS

On Wednesday, November 16, UINR is launching two new publications on oysters–one, an illustrated children’s book in Mi’kmaw and English, and the other on Mi’kmaq ecological knowledge and scientific research. Meet the authors and hear guest speaker René Lavoie on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 11:00 am at Membertou Heritage Park. There will be readings, … Read More

UINR and Ocean Tracking Network

UINR and Ocean Tracking Network

August 23, 2016News, Research

The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is a global research, technology development, and partnership platform headquartered at Dalhousie University. UINR has been working with OTN helping to insert electronic tags that track the movement of Atlantic Salmon in and out of the Bras d’Or Lakes. This spring they were able to insert tags in salmon smolt … Read More

Interns at UINR

Interns at UINR

July 24, 2016News, Research

Fisheries and Oceans Canada interns and St. Mary’s University students Farrah Stevens, Pictou Landing/Halifax, and Shurenda Michael, Sipekne’katik (Indian Brook) First Nation, are working with UINR for a week this summer getting hands-on experience.  

Bras d’Or Watch 2016

Bras d’Or Watch 2016

July 16, 2016News, Research

UINR participated in the Second Annual Bras d’Or Watch 2016 on Saturday July 16 at Morris Beach in Eskasoni. Here’s some photos from the day. .

Help Us Help Malikewe’j

Help Us Help Malikewe’j

June 9, 2016News

The mosquitos and blackflies were in full force for our annual Malikewe’j Clean-up. Things have been steadily improving and there was much less garbage to clean up this year. UINR’s Shelley Denny, Karlee Johnson, Lisa Young, and Emma Garden prepare for the ditch clean-up. shelley.denny@uinr.ca

North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization

North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization

June 7, 2016News, Research

Guten tag Frau Denny! UINR’s Shelley Denny can add German to her list of languages as she prepares to attend the Annual Meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany this week. Did you know that Salmon once ran in German’s Rhine River? Until the late 1950s there was an active … Read More

©2016 UINR