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.

Staff

Related News

Malikewe’j research assistant needed

Malikewe’j research assistant needed

March 12, 2014News, Partnerships, Research

Do you have excellent research and writing skills? Interested in working with professionals in the heritage field? Like to earn 3 to 6 credits toward your CBU degree and get paid? Are you knowledgeable about Mi’kmaw history?  Then this position may be right for you! The Louisbourg Institute at Cape Breton University, in partnership with … Read More

What to Do with a Tagged Salmon

What to Do with a Tagged Salmon

October 22, 2013Commerical Fisheries, News, Research

 UINR is Asking for Your Cooperation. If you catch a tagged salmon during the fall harvest, please report it to us. If possible, please release any tagged fish and report the tag number. If you keep a tagged fish, please report it and return the tag to UINR or a guardian. You can also … Read More

Did Eels Change the Course of History?

Did Eels Change the Course of History?

October 17, 2013Media, News, People, Research

As part of the Louisbourg300 celebrations, Parks Canada and Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources are pleased to share a remarkable Mi’kmaq legend. Join us for some baked eel at the Membertou Heritage Park on Thursday, October 24 at 1:00 pm when we will officially launch a new video which retells the Mi’kmaq eel legend and … Read More

Fish-WIKS comes to Unama'ki!

Fish-WIKS comes to Unama'ki!

August 12, 2013News, Partnerships, Research

Lenita Dominique Denny, a 14 year old grade 8 student from Eskasoni, is the winner of the Fish-WIKS logo contest for the East Coast region. Her design, along with designs from three other regions across Canada, will form the Fish-WIKS logo. She was presented with a $500 award by UINR/Fish-WIKS Community Liaison Coordinator Tyson Paul, … Read More

Plamu UPDATE

Plamu UPDATE

July 4, 2013News, Research

On Wednesday July 10 UINR is hosting a meeting with salmon scientists and fishers to give an update on Atlantic Salmon populations. DFO will provide information on the current status of salmon populations in Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia. Two sessions will be held at Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, from 1–4 pm and … Read More

Everything You Wanted to Know About Eels… LIVE!

Everything You Wanted to Know About Eels… LIVE!

May 30, 2013News, Research

At the next Wagmatcook Lecture Series on Thursday June 6 we are presenting a series of ten short videos on eels and their importance in Mi’kmaq culture. The videos tell everything we know about the American eel in Cape Breton. UINR biologist Shelley Denny will be on hand with Mi’kmaq eel fishers Joe and Judy Googoo … Read More

Eel Video Day 9–Summer Eeling

Eel Video Day 9–Summer Eeling

April 25, 2013News, Research

It’s time for today’s eel video– SUMMER EELING. You can watch it here. This video looks at how eels are speared in  summer. Mi’kmaq fishers Tracey Googoo, Charlie Joe, Kerry Prosper and John Sylliboy talk about summer fishing and why the tradition is so important. UINR’s Angela Denny, Lorraine Marshall and Shelley Denny talk about … Read More

Public Notice to Boaters Using Middle River

Public Notice to Boaters Using Middle River

April 24, 2013News, Research

  UINR wishes to inform the public to exercise caution when using the Middle River for recreational boating purposes between April 20 and June 30, 2013. UINR will be installing a Rotary Screw Trap (smolt wheel) on Middle River at approximately 46° 05’ 49.8N, 60° 55’ 18.8W to catch Atlantic salmon smolts to estimate their … Read More

Eel Video Day 7–Commercial Eeling

Eel Video Day 7–Commercial Eeling

April 23, 2013News, Research

It’s time for today’s eel video– COMMERCIAL EELING. You can watch it here. The commercial fishing of eel is a controversial topic to say the least. UINR’s John Couture joins Kerry Prosper, Winston Bernard, Charlie Joe Malikewe’j, Albert Marshall, and John Sylliboy in a discussion about the commercial eel fishery from several perspectives. They look … Read More

Eel Video Day 5-Eels at Risk

Eel Video Day 5-Eels at Risk

April 21, 2013News, Research

It’s Slippery Sunday and time for today’s eel video– EELS AT RISK. You can watch it here. Eels are a Threatened Species in Cape Breton and scientists here are determined to find out why. Parks Canada’s James Brigland, UINR’s Shelley Denny and CBU’s Katherine Jones tell us what they are learning from both science and … Read More

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