Aquatic Research & Stewardship

Science paired with Mi'kmaq traditional knowledge is the key to UINR's aquatic research activities. This unique pairing has been called "Two-Eyed Seeing" and brings together the best of western science and traditional knowledge.

UINR's research is guided by our communities and the advice and guidance of our community's Elders. Our emphasis is research on species of concern to Mi'kmaq such as oyster, lobster, eel, gaspereau and other food fishing species. Species at Risk and invasive species are also of great concern at UINR.

Clean drinking water and marine water quality are an important part of our work. We are responsible for monitoring drinking water safety in our communities and check water quality weekly in four of our communities.

Lorraine Recognized for Outstanding Work

March 1, 2016Research

Please join us in congratulating UINR’s Community Drinking Water Quality Monitor Lorraine Marshall who was recently recognized for her outstanding contribution to the re-development of the Water Monitors’ Log Book. Lorraine, a member of Health Canada’s Community Based Water Monitor Task Group, received an Excellence and Merit Award from the Department’s Assistant Deputy Minister. lorraine@uinr.ca

How Are Plamu/Salmon Like Trees?

February 24, 2016News, Research

Plamu/Salmon are a big deal at UINR and we do a lot of work to make sure they are here for future generations to enjoy. Every spring we capture young Plamu (smolt) and take a sample of their scales to do further research. Working with Ocean Tracking Network at Dalhousie University our new recruit, Emma … Read More

Moose Harvest in National Park Meets Goal

December 16, 2015Forestry, Moose, News, Partnerships, Research

The moose harvest in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is over for this year and, by all accounts, it was successful. Clifford Paul, UINR’s Moose Management Initiative Coordinator helped organize the harvest as part of our work with Parks Canada to reverse the trend of forest loss and begin to restore balance to the boreal … Read More

Tyson Monitors the Link

October 30, 2015News, Research

UINR’s Tyson Paul, Mi’kmaq Environmental Monitor for the Maritime Link project, holds a Bachelor of Science Community Studies degree from Cape Breton University and was enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Environmental Studies before taking the position of Research Assistant with UINR (Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources) in 2009. Tyson has certification in … Read More

UINR’s New Research Assistant

October 17, 2015News, Research

Say hello to Emma Garden, UINR’s latest addition to our research team. Emma holds a Masters degree in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Guelph, and a BSc in Environmental Studies from Saint Mary’s University. She has an advanced understanding of watersheds and their ecosystems, and has worked at the Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Network … Read More

NOTICE: Boaters Using Middle River

May 11, 2015News, Research

Between May 11 and June 30, 2015 there will be a Rotary Screw Trap (smolt wheel) on Middle River. UINR uses the wheel to catch Atlantic salmon smolt to estimate their abundance and monitor fish populations.

Invitation to public information session

October 31, 2014Forestry, Moose, News, Partnerships, Research

UINR’s Moose Management Initiative & Parks Canada Invite you to a public information session on forest health and the over-abundant population of moose in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Thursday November 6, Wagmatcook Culture and Heritage Centre, 6:00–8:00pm If you are unable to attend the meeting in Wagmatcook, please join us at one of our … Read More

Managing for Seven Generations

August 15, 2014News, Research

UINR’s Shelley Denny, Angela Denny and Tyson Paul are attending the 2014 Annual Conference of the American Fisheries Society in Quebec City on August 17 to 21. They are presenting our poster Managing for Seven Generations: Mi’kmaq Knowledge, Eels and the Bras d’Or Lakes during the poster presentation reception on Monday from 6:00 to 8:30 … Read More

UINR Marten – Spring 2014

July 7, 2014News, Partnerships, Research

The Spring issue of UINR Marten is available now as a free download. It’s been a busy year so far and we have a lot of new projects on the go. It’s the Year of the Moose at UINR and this issue features information on two new videos and two new books that we just … Read More

Return of the UINR Smolt Wheel

April 28, 2014News, Research

Many people use the first sighting of a crocus or the sound of spring peepers as their first sign of Spring. At UINR it’s the return of our smolt wheel to Middle River! UINR is continuing our research on Atlantic salmon populations. The smolt wheel, which looks like a giant funnel on its side, collects … Read More