e XPERT How do you grow experts for the fishery of the future? If you’re the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research (CFER) you reach out to high school and university students to build your capabilities. Mentoring future generations for fisheries scientists is a core mandate for CFER. Having knowledgeable and skilled people conducting fisheries research is vital for a better understanding of our fish stocks and the productivity of Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine ecosystem. The centre supports 15 graduate students who work with a team of biologists, postdoctoral fellows, technicians, and research scientists, all of whom are cross appointed to departments within Memorial University. From analyzing lab data, to going to sea, to consulting with fish harvesters, graduate students are gaining valuable, career boosting experience, taking themselves to the next level as worldwide fisheries experts. The centre has also opened its doors for high school students to job shadow CFER scientists. It has provided advice to two female high school students who presented their findings on the invasion of green crab in Placentia Bay at the Eastern District School science fair. Youth, exposure, interest and opportunities are CFER’s ingredients for home-grown expertise for our province’s fishing industry.
Marine Institute Annual Review 2012-2013
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