The Bridge - Winter 2010 by Marine Institute

Contents

The Bridge is published by the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University. We welcome submissions, story ideas, photographs, letters and of course, your comments. Editor: Darcy MacRae Graphic Design: Angie Bishop Photography: Angie Bishop, Darcy MacRae, Chris Hammond Editor P.O. Box 4920 St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, NL Canada Phone: 709-778-0677 Fax: 709-778-0672 Public.Relations@mi.mun.ca

Looking forward

Lessening the impact

Global impact

Distinction in innovation

International approach

More than fish

Sailing into history

Future MI students get their own website

Sending the right message

MI in the news

Taking the lead

Safeguard tests emergency practices

Green shift

Bringing safety home

Responding to industry needs

Turning waste into profit

Jim Boone

Campus happenings

MI welcomes Royal visitor

Ocean Watch

Moving ahead

Looking forward New head of MI’s School of Fisheries has clear goals in mind

Carey Bonnell has a lot of reasons to be excited about his new job as head of the Marine Institute’s School of Fisheries. Most importantly, he sees the job as a way to give back to an industry and way of life that played a significant role in his upbringing. “I was brought up in the fishery. I grew up going out in the boat with my grandfather and my uncle and I’m still very passionate about the industry,” said Bonnell, who was born and raised in Forresters Point on Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula. “It’s easy to get excited about something that’s always been a part of your life and something you want to see succeed. The School of Fisheries can play a huge role in helping the industry succeed.” Although he is new to the position as head of the School of Fisheries, Bonnell has been associated with MI in one way or another since 1996, making the transition into his new post a little easier. “It reduces the learning curve somewhat. There is still a lot to learn, but the experience helps,” said Bonnell. “I’ve seen firsthand the expertise that exists here. I saw in my previous roles that MI has the best and most comprehensive expertise in Canada when it comes to fisheries and aquaculture research and development, training and education.” Bonnell adds he already has some ideas for where he wants to take the School of Fisheries in the immediate future.

“I plan to focus much of my attention over the short term on our programs, both our in-house and community-based programs,” said Bonnell. “The quality of our programs is sound and the employability of the students who go through these programs is very high, they’re getting quality jobs. We need to

increase regional, national and international awareness among high school and university students as to what they can achieve with a Technology Diploma/Degree, an Advanced Diploma or a Masters Degree from MI.” Bonnell first came to MI as a student in the fall of 1996 and completed a Graduate Diploma in Fisheries Development in 1997. After graduation he began working at the Marine Institute, both in St. John’s and via a one-year placement in the Philippines with MI International. Bonnell left MI to assume the position as Director of Fisheries and Sealing with the Nunavut Government in 2000 and eventually became the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister with the Nunavut Department of Environment. Throughout this time he worked closely with the Marine Institute to help develop fisheries research and training programs in the north. When Bonnell returned to St. John’s in 2005 he began working for the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, an organization owned by Memorial University and housed at the Marine Institute. Serving first as an industrial liaison officer and later as the managing director, Bonnell found himself working closely with MI faculty and staff on a number of projects for the next four years. “I went from being a student at the Marine Institute, to an employee of the Marine Institute to a client at MI. It is very gratifying to come back again in my new role,” Bonnell said. “One of the best decisions I made was to enroll at MI, it played a big hand in me getting here today. I’m a good example of how a Marine Institute education can really help you in terms of practical, applied expertise and ultimately preparing you for the workforce. That’s what MI is all about.”

Lessening the impact MI leads innovative fishing systems project The Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland is taking steps to reduce the impact of bottom trawls on the seabed. Along with industry partners, Vónin Canada Ltd. and Vónin Ltd., MI is leading a project that will develop and commercialize innovative fishing systems capable of catching commercial quantities of finfish and shellfish, but with reduced seabed contact compared to traditional systems. The project, which is being conducted by MI’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR), is financed in part by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF), which is contributing $1.8 million, and the Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, which is contributing $250,000. The total cost of the project is $4.1 million. “The goal is to create bottom trawls that will have reduced seabed impacts,” said Dr. Paul Winger, director, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources, MI. “It will help the Canadian fishing industry reduce seabed contact while also maintaining economically sustainable catch levels. The result will be the development and commercialization of new innovative fishing systems that are low impact, fishery-specific and industry relevant.” The AIF funding was announced during a press conference at the Marine Institute on Sunday, Jan. 31 by Peter MacKay, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Marine Institute executive director Glenn Blackwood attended the funding announcement. “CSAR has put together an experienced research team for this project, including gear designers, gear manufacturers, industrial engineers, benthic ecologists, fisheries researchers and fishing captains,” Blackwood said. “This project will position the Marine Institute and its partners as

leaders in sustainable methods of harvesting marine resources.” Over a five-year period, the CSAR-led project will undertake three key activities: the design and computer simulation of innovative fishing systems; the evaluation of physical models using the Marine Institute flume tank; and the construction and evaluation of full-scale prototypes. “The mechanical behaviour of these fishing systems will be numerically modelled using desktop computers to determine if they represent viable options. This will guide us in pursuit of designs, components and modifications that show great promise in reducing seabed impact,” said Dr. Winger. “The evaluation of the physical models will investigate the performance of the most promising seabed friendly trawl designs using scale models under flume tank conditions. The evaluation of full-scale prototypes will identify the most successful design features and trawl components that demonstrate meaningful reductions in seabed impact while maintaining acceptable commercial catch rates.” Winger added this project could offer several benefits to the Canadian fishing industry, both in the near future and long-term. “In the next three to five years, it is expected that countries around the world, including Canada, will mandate the use of environmentally-friendly bottom trawls for the fishing industry,” Winger explained. “By building research capacity in fishing gear design and testing, the industry and the gear manufacturers will be equipped to respond to the demand for this kind of equipment. This could increase their business opportunities nationally and internationally and stimulate the local economy.” The project is expected to begin in April and will likely conclude in March, 2015.

Global Impact MI International uses local initiatives to support worldwide causes MI International is actively engaged in supporting community projects in the developing world on many fronts, including a project to raise money for the purchase of school busses in a small village near Calcutta, India. “The Marine Institute is proud of the work MI International has done in the developing world. MI International has helped raise MI’s profile in many different countries while contributing to causes that greatly needed and appreciated our support,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “MI International has been able to take local projects and successfully turn them into initiatives that benefit people, industries and communities around the world.” Some of MI International’s latest contributions include donating $40,000 in recycled text books to the Marine Institute’s partner post-secondary institutions in Malawi, Mozambique, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. MI International has also raised $3,000 to support school breakfast programs, orphanages and education and training centres in Mangochi, Malawi. One of MI International’s most recent projects supports NIR Ideal Home, a registered nonprofit organization that provides skills training to marginalized villagers and mentally and physically challenged youth in Harua Village, Calcutta in India’s West Bengal province.

raise enough money to purchase two school buses that will transport children to and from a school in Harua Village. “Many mentally and physically challenged youth from Harua experience great difficulty travelling to a recently built school that teaches kids new skills,” said Bill Chislett, director, MI International. “A reliable form of transportation is necessary for these children to take full advantage of the programs available, such as sewing, carpentry, physiotherapy and other skilled trades.” Bridge the Divide is raising money for the school buses through sales of gourmet cheesy shrimp kicker wontons and crispy Thai crab kicker wontons. These products were developed by MI’s Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development in conjunction with Dockside Appetizers and were produced by Allen’s Fisheries. Proceeds of sales go directly to NIR Ideal Home and the purchase of the school buses. “The Marine Institute is happy to support NIR Ideal Home, an organization that offers free education to children,” said Blackwood. “MI strives to be a leader in the provincial oceans and marine sector, so it is fitting we support groups that display similar leadership in their communities and nations.” To learn more about Bridge the Divide, visit www.allensfisheries.com/index2.html.

In support of NIR Ideal Home, MI International teamed with St. John’s companies Dockside Appetizers and Allen’s Fisheries to create Bridge the Divide. This collaboration aims to

Distinction in Innovation SmartBay project receives recognition globally and close to home The SmartBay project has received a lot of attention in the past year, having earned news headlines and a prestigious award for the role it plays in protecting Placentia Bay and its users. The ocean-observation project was thrust into the spotlight when the Provincial Government made known it would invest $330,000 in the initiative; an announcement that revealed SmartBay was already internationally recognized and revered in the oceans and marine sector.

effective management and sustainable development of coastal ocean areas of Placentia Bay.

The excitement surrounding the SmartBay project, a venture lead by the Marine Institute (MI) in collaboration with a team of dedicated private sector partners, grew to even greater heights in late November. That’s when it was announced MI had won the Distinction in Innovation Award, for its work with SmartBay, at the 2009 Export and Innovation Awards.

In addition to the information available on the website, the SmartBay project also involves putting automatic identification systems onboard small fishing vessels as well as large oil tankers. This allows vessel operators to know when they are coming upon another boat, which is especially useful in the heavy fog that often floats through Placentia Bay.

“The Marine Institute is proud to team with our industry partners, AMEC Earth and Environmental, ICAN and Earth Information Technologies (EIT), to provide this crucial information,” said Bill Carter, project manager, SmartBay. “Every month more than 7,000 people visit SmartBay.ca for information that assists in the management and expansion of local fishing, transport and eco-tourism industries.”

Placentia Bay has also been mapped with great detail to provide a better understanding of what the seabed is like. Considering all the information the Marine Institute-led project makes available, it is little wonder SmartBay has received global recognition in a short period of time.

The Distinction in Innovation Award recognizes an individual or group that makes an outstanding contribution towards Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovative culture. The recipient of the award must display leadership and enthusiasm toward fostering new ideas that positively impact the province and its people. These qualities personify the SmartBay initiative, according to Randy Gillespie, director of applied research at MI’s School of Ocean Technology. “The SmartBay project is an important implementation of technology that ultimately could help to save Placentia Bay from a catastrophe,” said Gillespie. “Through the website www.smartbay.ca, it provides the latest information about the bay and as a result, everybody can have a better awareness and understanding of what everybody else is doing in the bay on a day-to-day and a long-term basis.” SmartBay.ca provides customized weather and sea state forecast information using data gathered by four oceanographic buoys strategically placed in Placentia Bay. The information is updated four times daily and provides access to information to assist in

The buoy data is available to the public in near-real time. Fishers, shipping companies and other users in the area routinely take advantage of SmartBay as a user-driven ocean observing system that helps them make better decisions about their operations in the bay.

“More than 320 million barrels of oil go in and out of Placentia Bay each year via large tankers. These tankers navigate Placentia Bay alongside several smaller vessels, including fishing boats and pleasure crafts, producing the ingredients for a possibly disastrous collision,” said Gillespie. “That’s why the information available at SmartBay.ca is so important.” Placentia Bay has been cited as Canada’s most likely destination for a major oil spill because of the sheer volume of vessels travelling through the bay on a daily basis. Gillespie’s worst fear is that a collision between vessels could lead to a massive oil spill, a catastrophe that would harm not only the ecosystem of Placentia Bay, but also the local fishery, transport and eco-tourism industries. “Thanks in part to the SmartBay initiative, a major collision and the devastating results that would follow have so far been avoided,” Gillespie said. “Everybody agrees SmartBay is useful in helping to save Placentia Bay … It is an important service in an important part of the world.”

Given the important role SmartBay plays, Gillespie says it was encouraging to hear of the $330,000 investment by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The funds will be used to purchase two addition buoys that will move the project one step closer to becoming fully operational while supporting improved monitoring and forecasting of weather and sea-state conditions. The new buoys allow for an expansion of the project while eliminating interruptions should a buoy need to be repaired. This is vital considering how many people make use of the information provided by the SmartBay project. The Marine Institute deployed an additional buoy at the new Holyrood Marine Base in late 2009. The buoy is providing weather observations as well as basic oceanographic observations for Holyrood Arm. This information is available to the public through the Marine Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SmartBay website. The buoy also serves as a test and demo site for ocean instruments and was recently used as a platform to demonstrate a new protocol for interoperable sensors as a part of the Marine Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in the Ocean Science Interoperability Experiment.

International approach Nigel Allen takes the MI message to Tanzania Nigel Allen has a clear set of goals in mind for his new position in the African country of Tanzania. Allen, a long-time employee at the Marine Institute, who most recently served as International Projects Manager with MI’s School of Fisheries, has been working in Tanzania since April, 2009 as part of the Education for Employment (EFE) project, a new initiative from the Canadian International Development Association (CIDA) and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) The project provides training that is directly linked to the skill sets required by the mining, tourism and agriculture sectors of the Tanzanian economy. It is designed to establish sustainable partnerships that contribute to the improvement and implementation of national policies in technical and vocational education reform in Tanzania. Allen plans to use the knowledge and expertise he developed while working at the Marine Institute to further the EFE efforts in Tanzania.

Nigel Allen, left, is the senior technical advisor for the Tanzania Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.

“I want to see better employability of graduates and I’d like to see their quality of life tangibly improve,” said Allen. “I’d also like to make myself better aware of the difficulties faced by individuals living in a poorly developed economy.” The knowledge and experience Allen brings to the project certainly aids the EFE initiative and his involvement also provides benefits for MI. By having Allen take part in the CIDA/ACCC program, the Marine Institute positions itself as a substantial contributor to Canadian aid programming, says Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “Nigel’s presence with the EFE project raises MI’s profile in a region of the world that is of strategic importance to us,” Blackwood said. “And his involvement with Tanzania’s technical vocation education reform process matches the Marine Institute’s long-term visioning process.” Allen is the EFE’s senior technical advisor for the Tanzanian Government’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MOEVT). His day-to-day activities include providing advice and support to the project’s steering committee on policy and structure development; facilitating the establishment of institutional partnerships between 12 Tanzanian educational institutions and 12 ACCC member colleges and institutes and visiting Tanzanian institutes to put a face on the EFE project. Allen says it is a pleasure to work with the friendly and welcoming people of Tanzania, but adds the project presents many challenges. “In Canada we live and work in an electronic age where a phone call or e-mail is sufficient to stimulate activity. Here nothing gets done unless signed memos are issued and circulated. We also have poor Internet connectivity and an unreliable electricity supply,” said Allen.

More than fish Marine Institute helps turn fishers into collectors of data The Marine Institute has teamed with the Northern Shrimp Research Foundation (NSRF) to turn professional fish harvesters into important contributors of applied research. Since the summer of 2008, the Marine Institute has helped outfit offshore vessels operated by NSRF’s member companies with technology to gather information about the environment in which they harvest their catch. The project takes advantage of the fact the vessels are already in the water on a daily basis, providing easy access to data that is used to help sustain the industry. “We (MI and NSRF) both said offshore shrimp fishers are out on the water year round harvesting shrimp, while they’re out there, why don’t we have them collect data that could help the environment they work in,” said Randy Gillespie, the director of applied research at MI’s School of Ocean Technology. “Over time, those fishers collecting data, they start to build up a rich and powerful database. They’re actually turning into moving buoys. We compile the data from each individual vessel and start to build a picture of what is happening in the fishery.” Gillespie said the Marine Institute-led project does not cause any extra work, stress or pressure for the individual fishers. “We don’t want to negatively impact their operations, because obviously their business is to be out there harvesting shrimp,” said Gillespie. But while they’re out on the water, if they can also collect some sounder data

about depth and the seabed character that could really help the industry.” Gillespie says thanks to the fishers’ willingness to partake in this initiative, there will be more information available to aid the sustainability and profitability of this sector. “We all recognize that the collapse of the northern cod stocks in 1992 revealed that we didn’t have enough information to manage the stocks sustainably,” said Gillespie. “Nobody had the full picture. That’s what we are trying to avoid by outfitting these vessels with technology that turns them into collectors of data.” Another benefit of this data-collecting system is that it could speed up the process of determining quotas for each fishing season, according to Gillespie. He said fishers have always filled paper-based logs recording their catches that are sent to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) after fishing season ends. The logs are digitized and later analyzed by DFO before the results are made available. This information then plays a vital role in determining quotas for the next fishing season. While this system has worked for many years, the method designed by the Marine Institute and the NSRF could help produce results in a shorter timeframe. “What we did was go directly to digital with the logs instead of writing it in. It gets aggregated daily and as a result you get a picture of what’s happening in the fishery daily,” Gillespie explains. “Then you can make decisions about the fishery as the season progresses. The idea of this new concept is that if we share our information, we’re going to make better decisions. The benefits are a more sustainable and profitable fishery.”

Sailing into history Bartlett tours prove to be major attraction

Few events caused as much excitement at the Marine Institute in the summer of 2009 as the simulation of Captain Bob Bartlett’s historic 1909 voyage to the North Pole on the Roosevelt. The Marine Institute’s Centre for Marine Simulation (CMS) offered free tours of the simulation this summer and the response from the public was overwhelming. Before the tours even began, every available spot was booked. Following television reports on the tours, interest in the Bartlett simulation soared even higher, as the Marine Institute was flooded with callers looking to book a spot on the next available tour. Due to public demand, MI made additional tours of the Bartlett simulation available, only to have these tours filled within a day of being added. Those lucky enough to see the simulation raved about the experience. “We were thrilled to see that so many people were interested in learning about Captain Bob Bartlett’s Polar expedition,” said Captain Christopher Hearn, director of the Marine Institute’s Centre for Marine Simulation. “The simulation of the 1909 voyage on the Roosevelt is the perfect platform for the Marine Institute to display the capabilities of the Centre for Marine Simulation. This type of technology is rare and is a good example of what MI can offer its industry partners and clients.” Captain Hearn adds the CMS team that designed and created the database and graphics for the simulation deserves a lot of credit for the success of the project. He said the research the team put into the Bartlett simulation was first-rate and played a big role in recreating the legendary trip during which Bartlett carried American explorer Robert Peary to within 150 miles of the North Pole, sailing further north than anyone had ever sailed before at that point in time. “This is as realistic a simulation as you will find anywhere in the world,” said Captain Hearn. “It showed the public what it was like to sail north on the Roosevelt. They were shown what it is like when a ship rubs up against and collides with Arctic ice. Local actor Aiden Flynn of Rabbittown Theatre also helped make the simulation a success. His portrayal of Torrington, a fictional stowaway on the Roosevelt, helped visitors understand life onboard the ship during its voyage north.” The CMS team that created the Bartlett simulation included Ilya Savinov, naval architect; Chris Connolly, simulation database designer; Jody James, simulation programmer/3D modeler and Maria Halfyard, manager, applied research and industrial projects.

The team first began working on the Bartlett simulation in the fall of 2008 at the request of the Newfoundland Historical Sites Association, who presented Celebrating Bartlett 2009 in honour of the 100th anniversary of the legendary captain’s voyage. The first item on the agenda was to find out what the ship looked like and what its dimensions were. However, this proved to be no easy task. “I was looking at pictures, some rough diagrams to just get an idea of the measurements of the ship,” said James. “My sources were old black and white photographs and looking at older, similar schooners. Believe it or not, we had access to a small, black and white film clip of the Roosevelt. I couldn’t believe I found it, but it showed people getting on and off the ship.” The lack of information available on the Roosevelt forced Savinov to take a different approach when creating the vessel within the simulator. “The guys created a 3-D model based on the pictures and then I used the 3-D model to get some information regarding things like displacement and the rudder arms. From this information I plugged it into our shipcreation software and I made the vessel out of that,” Savinov said. “That’s kind of backwards because usually your customer provides you all this information. But this time, I had to look at photos and try to scale them up and come up with the information myself.” Savinov added that once the CMS team got past the hurdles of recreating the Roosevelt, it was a matter of taking full advantage of the Marine Institute’s full-motion, fullmission bridge simulator. “A lot of people have simulators, but what makes us different is the full motion bridge, it is one of only two in use in the world,” said Savinov. “People can actually experience the motion and that’s what makes this cutting edge.” The equipment CMS used for the Bartlett simulation is a Konsberg Polaris Simulator, while the modeling software utilized was from Presagis Creator. All the technology utilized for the Bartlett project is also available for other projects that CMS and the Marine Institute undertake for industry clients and partners. “A lot of people don’t realize the type of technology we have at the Marine Institute’s Centre for Marine Simulation,” said Halfyard. “We’re a one-stop shop for our clients.”

Future MI students get their own website The Marine Institute (MI) has taken another step to inform future students about its programs and services with the launch of a new recruitment website. MI recently unveiled www.whereyouwanttobe.ca, a recruitment website aimed at informing and engaging students, parents and high school guidance counselors. The site offers an in-depth look at what is available to Canadian and international students at the Marine Institute, Canada’s most comprehensive post-secondary institution dedicated to oceans-related study.

www.whereyouwanttobe.ca

“The new website encourages two-way communication between MI and our future students,” said Angie Clarke, enrolment management coordinator, Division of Academic and Student Affairs, MI. “Through www.whereyouwanttobe.ca, the Marine Institute has dedicated resources to directly answer potential students’ questions. This site allows MI to reach out to a broader audience and ensure we make a connection with students and their influencers from across Canada and throughout the world.” The recruitment site gets to the point in a hurry, as all of MI’s programs are listed directly on the homepage of www.whereyouwanttobe.ca. A potential student needs only to click on the program in which they are interested and they are taken to a page dedicated to that course. Information including a course description, program structure, length of study, application deadline and admission requirements is readily available, providing future students all they need to know. The new website was created by the Marine Institute’s Marketing and Business Development department in collaboration with Academic and Student Affairs. The site includes several interactive features, such as the Ask a Recruitment Officer tool. This is a simple rectangular box in the lower hand-hand corner of the site that takes a student’s name, e-mail address and question and sends it directly to an MI recruitment officer. “The recruitment officer can simply e-mail the student back with an answer to their question. This encourages interaction between MI and potential students and enables the Marine Institute to make a connection with students from around the world,” Clarke said. The recruitment site includes individual pages for Canadian students, international students, parents and high school guidance counselors. The sections offer personalized information specific to each group. The section designated for international students provides information regarding application details, immigration, health insurance, housing and employment in an effort to help students from abroad make a quick and easy transition to a new country and the Marine Institute. Also included at www.whereyouwanttobe.ca are pages dedicated to describing student life at the Marine Institute, including information concerning the MI student union, finances, the MI library, bookstore and other student facilities. A photo tour of Marine Institute campuses and surrounding areas is also available as a way to give future students a glimpse of what awaits them at MI.

Sending the right message ;)

MI using social media to attract and inform students The more things change, the quicker you have to adjust. That’s the attitude the Marine Institute has taken regarding student recruitment and the sharing of information with future and current students.

(www.youtube.com/marineinstitutepr), using the popular social media engines to engage and inform students. Pittman uses the Facebook group to learn the interests of students so she can better provide them the information they need.

“I think it’s important that we have become social media savvy,” said Rhonda Pittman, student liaison officer with MI Academic and Student Affairs. “Students are turning to the Internet to research institutions and because we’ve taken the initiative to get our information out there via social media, we’ve sent the proper message out there.”

“In the past there would be all kinds of students at our door in the fall and we wouldn’t take a lunch break for a month. But in the last two Septembers, I have had only six or seven students through my office in September asking questions. Instead, I have 200 e-mails to check,” said Pittman. “Students have made the transition from being outside my office and wanting to come in and sit down to wanting to communicate with me through e-mail and other social media.”

The Marine Institute uses the latest social media outlets to attract new students and help keep existing students informed of any and all information they need to have positive and productive student experiences. The Marine Institute website (www. mi.mun.ca) has all the latest news coming out of MI, in addition to feature stories and links to micro-sites from the individual schools of MI. The website averages 1,000 visits a day and 30,000 visits a month and in nine months of operation has attracted more than 86,000 unique visitors. MI also has accounts with Facebook (“Marine Institute” fan page), Twitter (www. twitter.com/marineinstitute) and YouTube

Pittman uses Twitter and YouTube to converse with students and update them on projects and activities taking place at the Marine Institute. Considering the MI’s reputation as a leading oceans-related post-secondary institution, Pittman says it is natural MI has gone in this direction. “Students are looking at all these avenues to answer questions, so that’s really where we need to be heading,” said Pittman. “To pass on this information, this is the route we have to go. If we weren’t there, we’d be missing the boat.”

Career Search report The Marine Institute received excellent feedback from Career Search 2008, which was released in June, 2009. It was revealed MI students are well positioned to begin meaningful careers once they graduate and earn quality wages upon entering the workforce. David Bonnell retires The Marine Institute said goodbye to David Bonnell in June. The long-time employee of MI retired after working at the Marine Institute for 29 years. During that time, Bonnell filled many roles at MI, beginning as an instructor in 1980. From there he became the chair of new programs, deputy head of the school of fisheries, director of fisheries and community-based programs and most recently, head of the School of Fisheries.

MI in the news

Marine Institute receives funds for yellowtail ﬂounder research

The Marine Institute received funding support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for the first time when funds were made available to aid MI’s research into the yellowtail flounder fishing industry. MI partnered with Ocean Choice International on the project in a joint effort to advance the yellowtail flounder fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador through extensive research into the operational efficiencies of the fishery, both in and out of the water. Russian tall ship visits MI The captain and selected cadets from the Russian tallship Kruzenshtern visited the Marine Institute. The visitors from Russia had an interest in learning more about MI’s capabilities in technology, applied research and training related to the harsh environment of the oil fields off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Greg Lawlor wins medal of bravery

IAMU Conference

Greg Lawlor, a Safety and Fireﬁghting instructor at the Marine Institute’s Offshore Safety and Survival Centre in Foxtrap since 2003, made news when it was announced he had won a Medal of Bravery from the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. Lawlor was awarded the medal for his rescue efforts during a tragedy in Conception Bay South on December 31, 2006.

Glenn Backwood attended the 10th annual Assembly of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) in St. Petersburg, Russia. Captain Fred Anstey, School of Maritime Studies, was also in attendance and presented a paper to the IAMU assembly titled Maritime Security Education and Training – Expanding the Role of IMO and STCW. The IAMU includes 50 maritime education and training post-secondary institutions with a shared recognition of the signiﬁcance of maritime education and training in the rapid globalization of international shipping.

SERT funding The Marine Institute received funding to expand marine programming at its Safety and Emergency Response Training Centre (SERT) in Stephenville. The funding came in the form of $369,000 from the Federal Government’s Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). SEUS-CP Conference MI took part in the Southeastern United States Canadian Provinces Alliance conference in St. John’s in July. The goal of the conference was to enhance economic ties between the regions and to promote opportunities for enhanced commercial exchanges, two-way trade and investment and knowledge sharing between and among member states and provinces. MI took the visiting governors and premiers aboard the M.V. Anne S. Pierce to showcase the SmartBay project in Placentia Bay and energy assets such as the Whiffen Head Oil Refinery. The tour coincided with a visit to CSAR from Dr. Glenn Parsons, a professor at the University of Mississippi who was using the MI flume tank for research to create a by-catch reduction device. Camp Glow The Marine Institute held its annual Camp Glow in Stephenville and Foxtrap over the summer. Camp Glow kicked off at the Safety and Emergency Response Training Centre (SERT) in Stephenville while the camp was held at the Offshore Survival and Safety Centre in Foxtrap a few weeks later. Camp Glow is a firefighting camp for women that is run by MI in partnership with the Women in Resource Development Committee. Merchant Navy Memorial MI hosted a special ceremony in August to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the unveiling of a Merchant Navy Memorial at MI. The event attracted a large crowd who paid tribute to the fallen Newfoundland Merchant Marines who served on British, Canadian and American Merchant Navy ships during World War II.

DND Graduation The Marine Institute held graduation ceremonies for the Marine Engineering Technician Training Plan (METTP) and the Naval Combat Systems Technical Training Plan (NCSTTP). The METTP graduation ceremony took place on Sept. 18, 2009 while the NCSTTP ceremony was on Jan.15, 2010. Both graduations were hosted at the Drill Hall in Pleasantville and included several guest speakers, including MI executive director Glenn Blackwood. The METTP and NCSTTP are cooperative ventures between the Canadian Navy and the Marine Institute that see navy cadets study at the MI campus in St. John’s. This partnership between MI and the Canadian Navy has been in place since 1992 and more than 800 navy cadets have graduated from MI during this time. Two new micro sites Two new micro sites were introduced on the Marine Institute’s website, giving users increased access to information and services on campus. The Marine Institute’s School of Ocean Technology (www.mi.mun. ca/sot) and its Information and Communication Technologies unit (www.mi.mun.ca/ict) are the latest departments to launch their online presence. CSAR receives funding The Marine Institute’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR) received $174,000 in funding support from the provincial government for a project that analyzes marine life in Placentia Bay. In collaboration with Lotek Wireless, CSAR will attach telemetric technology to marine life in Placentia Bay and track their movements, allowing for the remote measurement and reporting of information into how the bay’s marine life, most notably snow crab, American plaice, Atlantic cod, and Atlantic lobster, interact with external inﬂuences. CASD conducts whelk ﬁshery research

Trade delegation from India A trade delegation from India visited MI this fall. The visit to MI was part of a tour across Atlantic Canada which aimed to promote trade between the Atlantic Provinces and India and build on the growing international trade potential of the Atlantic Gateway. Trade delegates wanted to examine related business opportunities that can be developed in the short to medium-term.

The Marine Institute’s Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development (CASD) received $42,690 from the Provincial Government to assist with the installation and testing of an onboard mechanical sorting system for use in the whelk ﬁshery. The sorting system developed through the project will remove undersized landed whelk and improve the survival rate for whelk that are returned to the sea.

Taking the lead MI a trendsetter in organizing Smart Oceans Sensor Consortium The Marine Institute has helped bring together global leaders in ocean observation to form the Smart Ocean Sensors Consortium (SOSC). The fact MI was able to bring the industry’s elite together is a testament to the Marine Institute’s growing reputation as a trendsetter in the oceans and marine sector, according to Neil Cater, manager of Ocean Instrumentation at MI’s School of Ocean Technology. “We’re in with some pretty rare company. The people we’re sitting with are genuine world leaders and innovators in ocean observation,” said Cater. “For them to agree to come to the table at our request indicates we are onto something big.” The Smart Ocean Sensors Consortium is a group of likeminded ocean sensor manufacturers and users. The group has a collective vision of improving the reliability, utility and costeffectiveness of ocean observing sensor networks through the adoption, development and promotion of appropriate standard interfaces and protocols. The Marine Institute-led project was first brought to the table during Ocean Innovation 2008: World Summit Ocean Observing Systems, an international conference hosted by MI. On the final day of the conference the Marine Institute welcomed major ocean sensor manufacturers and users from Canada, the United States and Europe to discuss the idea of developing standards for the design and implementation of smart ocean sensors. This meeting was followed by a second workshop in South Carolina in the spring of 2009, at which the Smart Oceans Sensor Consortium was officially formed, with Cater being named the group’s first chairperson. “There has been a lot of effort, primarily driven by user groups of ocean sensors, to find a means of getting maximum value from the data that is collected by these instruments,” said Cater. “We want to develop a system in which more than one group, researcher or enterprise can use the collected data.” An immediate goal of the SOSC is to complete a sponsored submission to the Open Geospatial Consortium for new specification regarding smart ocean sensors. Long-term, the SOSC hopes to achieve wider acceptance and distribution of its collective vision. Cater says that so far, the SOSC’s plans and philosophies have met little resistance in the oceans observation community.

“From a manufacturer’s point of view, they can use smart ocean sensors as a selling point for their product,” said Cater. “It’s an easy sell to research institutions because it means they can do their job more cost efficiently and more people can have access to their data.”

SAFEGUARD puts emergency practices to the test OSSC teams with global partners for ship evacuation research The Marine Institute’s Offshore Safety and Survival Centre (OSSC) is part of a groundbreaking research project that uses full scale ship trials to evaluate the performance of ship evacuation procedures. Together with partners from North American and Europe, OSSC is being counted on to bring expertise and experience to the project, called SAFEGUARD. “SAFEGUARD aims to improve current evacuation simulation tools by producing detailed information on real-time and realcondition evacuation trials,” said Robert Rutherford, director, OSSC. “This research will provide up-to-date and innovative information for ships in the ferry, shipping and cruise line industries.” SAFEGUARD (www.safeguardproject.info) aspires to develop a better understanding of the performance and behaviour of people in emergency situations such as ship evacuations. The Marine Institute’s Offshore Safety and Survival Centre and its international partners have worked closely together to develop procedures that can be used to effectively collect this data. OSSC played a big role in designing electronic ID tags for passengers taking part in evacuation mustering simulations. The ID tags will collect information regarding passengers’ average walking speed during an emergency, start time and location, end time and location and path chosen during an evacuation mustering. The tags will alert researchers to the passengers’ locations at various points of interest throughout the

ship, helping to produce data regarding flow rates and congestion. OSSC has also helped develop a system of videotaping the reactions and response time of passengers during full-scale ship evacuation trials. A total of 30 video cameras will be used during each of the trials. The videos will be analyzed to study passenger response time to the alarm and to track passengers’ movements throughout the ship once an alarm has sounded. Additional information for the project will be collected through the use of a questionnaire that will be administered following the trials. OSSC helped design a set of questions that will collect key psychological and human factor information that cannot be determined by using the ID tags or studying video. “The information collected through the questionnaire, the passenger ID tags and the videos will be analyzed by researchers to see what connections exist between the three sets of data,” said Rutherford. “The outcome of the project will support submissions to IMO Maritime Safety committee and will have future impact on vessel designs for fast evacuation of passengers.” The SAFEGUARD project began in 2009 and is set to conclude in March, 2012. In addition to OSSC, project partners include the University of Greenwich (England), BMT Group Ltd., Bureau Veritas, PRINCIPIA, Safety @ Sea Ltd., Color Line Marine AS, Royal Caribbean International and Minoan Lines Shipping.

Green shift MI’s sustainability committee enjoying productive first year The Marine Institute Sustainability Committee (MISC) is less than one year old but it has already made several positive changes around MI. “The sustainability committee looks at ways of reducing expenses and reducing our carbon footprint,” said Mary Pippy, head of MISC and chair of the Marine Institute’s threeyear Marine Environmental Technology program. “The push came internally. There were people at MI who thought we should be looking at sustainability issues and having our own sustainability committee allows us to focus on these matters.” Among the many initiatives lead by the MISC is the placement of recycling bins throughout the Marine Institute. In every office, hallway and classroom, recycling bins are available for paper and tin cans, with the proceeds from the recycling going toward the Memorial University food bank. The MISC has encouraged limiting the use of bottled water and is working with the Marine Institute’s Information and Communication Technologies unit to ensure all printers at MI use two-sided print as the default setting. The MISC also worked with the cafeteria to change the way faculty, staff and students enjoy hot beverages such as coffee and tea. “In the cafeteria now, we use more biodegradable paper cups instead of

Styrofoam cups. There was also a promotion where if you bought your own MI mug you got your next five coffees for free. As it is, your coffee costs 25 cents less each time if you bring your own cup instead of using a paper cup,” Pippy said. “You see a lot of people going around with their own mugs now. That leads to less paper cups going in the garbage and fewer paper cups having to be purchased by the Marine Institute.” The MISC has encouraged all MI employees to opt out of receiving pay stubs every two weeks. Instead, the sustainability committee would like to see everyone use their computers to view their pay stubs online. The biggest issue facing the sustainability committee is reducing energy costs at the Marine Institute, according to Pippy. She said a number of energy-saving practices are being examined but one sticks out as possibly the best way to achieve this goal. “We would like to look at installing sensors in every classroom that turn the lights on when you enter the room and turn the lights out when everybody leaves,” Pippy said. “This isn’t an easy thing to do and a lot of hurdles will have to be cleared first, but it definitely could lead to significant energy savings.”

Bringing safety home MI plays key role in e-simulator project The Marine Institute is part of a team working to produce an electronic simulator program to support distance education training for fish harvesters in fishing vessel stability. The project involves multiple industry partners and aims to make vessel stability education readily available to professional fish harvesters in the comfort of their own homes. “The e-simulator will play a vital role in improving the overall safety of vessel operations for fish harvesters,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “The Marine Institute is proud to be a part of an initiative that strives to protect fishers and allow them to conduct their livelihoods in a safer work environment.” The e-simulator project involves using multimedia and computer game features, combined with six instructional segments on fishing vessel stability. The program will simulate fishing vessels less than 85 feet long and fishing operations that are typical of major fisheries across Canada. The visually interactive aspects of the e-simulator will be used in conjunction with a handbook and fish harvesters will be able to work through the program at their own pace on their home computers. The Marine Institute signed a contract with the Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters (CCPFH) to develop the project. “This project will help protect and educate fishers in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as across the rest of the country,” said Captain Roy Gibbons, project leader. “The fishing industry remains a vital and important aspect of the oceans-related economy in our province. Developments such as the e-simulator project are a sign we are working to help make this industry safe, sustainable and profitable.” The e-simulator is being produced by the CCPFH through collaboration with the Marine Institute and with the help of a $1.74 million contribution from the Federal Government via the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF). Other project participants include Memorial University’s Distance Education and Learning Technologies, the New Brunswick School of Fisheries, Transport Canada – Marine Safety Division Newfoundland and Labrador and the National Research Council. Anticipated production time for the e-simulator is 24 months and once completed, it will be accessible as a free download from the CCPFH website and as a DVD that can be purchased at a minimal cost. The e-simulator will be available in both English and French.

Responding to industry needs HUEBA systems training among new initiatives at OSSC

The Marine Institute has become a recognized leader in the oceans and marine sector through recognizing and responding to industry needs. Such is the case with the new Helicopter Underwater Escape Breathing (HUEBA) systems training now available at MI’S Offshore Safety and Survival Centre (OSSC) in Foxtrap. OSSC was part of an industry taskforce that recognized there was a need to further advance emergency breathing systems training in Newfoundland and Labrador. “The goal of the taskforce was to make HUEBA systems training available to all individuals travelling to offshore petroleum installations in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Eastern Canada,” said Robert Rutherford, director, OSSC. “Helicopter safety is an important business requirement in the offshore industry and one of our constant goals is to improve the safety of offshore personnel through technology innovation. The HUEBA systems training offers an important contribution to offshore safety.” Working alongside industry partners, OSSC was the lead research institution on the HUEBA project, which began in 2008. Rutherford says OSSC was chosen to lead the research side of the initiative in part because its training courses are subject to thorough academic analysis. “The OSSC offers a comprehensive range of safety and emergency response training courses that are

of great interest to the offshore petroleum and marine transportation industries,” Rutherford said. “We work to ensure our clients receive courses that are of the highest quality and we are subject to regular audits to ensure the overall value of our classes and programs. As a result, OSSC is in position to develop and administer important courses such as the HUEBA systems training.” Even with the wealth of knowledge and experience OSSC brought to the project, there were challenges to overcome while developing the HUEBA systems training. For starters, market research conducted by OSSC showed there was not a training device available that could fully meet the needs of this course. However, Rutherford said he didn’t have to look far for help in overcoming this hurdle. “Using Memorial University’s fitting shops, OSSC faculty and staff successfully designed and built our own fit-for-purpose emergency breathing systems inversion training (EBSIT) chair,” said Rutherford. In addition to previous training material already provided at OSSC, HUEBA systems training became mandatory for all helicopter escape training courses in the spring of 2009. To date, OSSC has provided HUEBA systems training to more than 1,500 offshore petroleum industry employees.

Turning waste into profit CASD aims to develop province’s first marine biodiesel production system The Marine Institute’s Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development (CASD) is playing a key role in advancing marine biodiesel conversion technologies. Together with industry partner Newfoundland Biodiesel Ltd. and Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering Applied Science, CASD is working to develop an economically viable, fish-oil derived biodiesel production system for rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Although conversion technologies have already been developed to handle homogenous oils from vegetable sources, these technologies have had very little success when applied to fish waste oils. The CASD lead project aims to find a solution to this dilemma.

Some of the biggest challenges facing the project include determining what proteins and minerals are present in the available fish waste streams; identifying appropriate conversion technologies for the types of waste fish oils available and determining the type and amount of decomposing agents present in the fish waste streams. These factors affect the amount and quality of oil that can be recovered and could determine if the oil can be used as biodiesel feedstock. “These challenges can be addressed through a properly designed scientific research and development plan, an in-depth economic analysis for the unique situation in our province and adequate funding to conduct these activities,” Manuel explained.

“Utilizing marine waste oils as biodiesel feedstock will be the focus of this project,” said Heather Manuel, director, CASD. “Rather than trying to create a ‘one size fits all’ system, the key is to develop technology that can accommodate different needs.”

The waste fish oils needed for the project will be extracted from a number of wild capture fisheries and aquaculture sources in the province and will be processed at MI’s Atlantic Canada Fishery By-Products Research Facility in St. John’s.

Manuel says some short-term goals for the project include the reduction of fish waste going into landfills and a decrease in fossil fuel consumption, which would result in cost savings for fish processors. Long-term, she sees the project contributing to the establishment of a commercially viable alternative energy sector in the province.

The project is expected to be three years in duration. Some of the immediate tasks include determining the quality of marine oil available as biodiesel feedstock and developing simple and effective methods to produce biodiesel from waste fish oils. By the third year of the project a commercialization plan for the expansion of a fish oil biodiesel production and distribution system in Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to be developed.

“The greatest benefits would be improved energy efficiencies in the seafood processing industry by turning waste into profit and the positive environmental impacts achieved through waste reduction and decreases in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Manuel.

Jim Boone Remembered for leadership, passion for his work and love for his family Marine Institute faculty, staff and students said goodbye to a valued friend and co-worker when Jim Boone passed away on Oct. 15.

MI’s Gerald Anderson signs a MOU with The Food Technology Centre, St. Angela’s College, in Sligo, Ireland to jointly develop an online European Food Law course. Joining Anderson is Clodagh Fitzgerald of The Food Technology Centre.

Jim worked at MI’s Offshore Safety and Survival Centre in Foxtrap for 23 years, helping to train countless professional marine and offshore industry workers at various stages in their careers. According to Craig Parsons, assistant director of programs at OSSC, Jim touched a lot of people professionally and personally during his years with the Marine Institute. “Jim paid great attention to detail and could always be counted on to complete the important details of any project he worked on,” Parsons said. “He was always a leader and a big advocator of safety in the workplace, especially for students.” Jim first worked at OSSC as a safety diver and then accepted a position as a technical assistant. He became a self-contained breathing apparatus technician in the early 90s before eventually settling into a role as safety and survival instructor. His main focus in this position was small boat operations and helicopter underwater escape training.

MI received funding from the ACOA to expand programming at its Safety and Emergency Response Training Centre (SERT) in Stephenville. Glenn Blackwood (left) took part in the announcement, as did The Honourable Keith Ashfield (centre), Minister of State for ACOA and Herb Davis (right), assistant to Atlantic Gateway Minister Peter MacKay.

Most recently, Jim served as research lead at OSSC, where he specialized in lifeboat testing, the operation of lifeboats in ice and emergency evacuation procedures aboard vessels. “Jim had a passion for his work and he loved the challenge it provided,” said Parsons. “Jim even enjoyed working in rough weather, that was a challenge he enjoyed. As the waves got bigger, he got more excited.” Jim loved the ocean and enjoyed sailing, scuba diving and underwater football. However, his family was always his first priority. Jim is survived by his wife Carol, his sons Jeremy and Alex, his mother Shirley, his sister Marilyn and his brothers Brian and Greg.

The Canadian Association of College and University Student Services named MI’s Gary Green (right) a recipient of the 2009 Award of Honour.

Campus happenings

MI’s Cyr Couturier continued his mentoring program by helping 13-year-old Megan Howse of Mount Pearl win a gold medal at the National Science Fair.

The Honourable Shawn Skinner unveiled the Provincial Government’s Oceans of Opportunity at the Marine Institute.

A trade delegation from India visited the Marine Institute in September.

Recently retired School Head David Bonnell (left) receives a gift from Glenn Blackwood during his retirement celebration.

Dr. Reeta Tremblay, vice-president, Academic, Memorial University; Glenn Blackwood and Premier Danny Williams during the Merchant Navy Memorial ceremony.

The captain and crew of the State of Maine take a tour of the Centre for Marine Simulation.

MI student Samantha Banton won the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists Scholarship in November. Tony Scott (right) presented the award.

Instructors Krista Parsons Butler and Adam Courage carried the Olympic Flame when it came to St. John’s.

Heritage Collegiate won the 2009 Regional ROV Competition at the Marine Institute.

MI welcomes Royal visitor The Marine Institute was the site of a royal visit as his Royal Highness Prince Charles took a tour of MI and its facilities as part of a three-day visit to Newfoundland and Labrador. The Prince of Wales came to MI to meet Marine Institute officials and researchers, as well as members of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a student group from Memorial University. The Marine Institute and SIFE were included in the Prince’s visit to the province in part because of his interest in marine conservation and youth entrepreneurship. “We were delighted that the Prince of Wales decided to visit the Marine Institute during his trip to the province,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, MI. “We very much enjoyed showcasing the Marine Institute’s education and research capabilities with him, especially the area of marine conservation where he had the opportunity to engage with local researchers in a discussion on fisheries conservation and environmental sustainability.” HRH Prince Charles takes a moment to speak with MI graduate Alicia Campbell

Dr. Christopher W. Loomis, president and vice chancellor pro tempore of Memorial University of Newfoundland, said he was pleased the university had the opportunity to welcome the Prince to Newfoundland and Labrador. “The Marine Institute, recognized as a global leader in marine research, and nationally recognized SIFE, Memorial’s community-based entrepreneurship, are excellent examples of the calibre of people and resources we have at Memorial,” he said. “The inclusion of Memorial on the official itinerary for the Prince of Wales is quite a distinction and an excellent opportunity to showcase our world-class facilities and students.” The Prince of Wales viewed MI’s flume tank alongside Blackwood and spoke with MI researchers about fisheries conservation, ocean sciences, marine ecosystems and sustainable aquatic resources. Following the discussion and demonstrations of fishing conservation technology in the flume tank, the Prince of Wales met with SIFE, a student group dedicated to creating local solutions to global economic challenges through entrepreneurship. Dr. Lilly Walker, dean of Memorial Student Affairs and Services, was the university’s official host for the royal visit. She praised Prince Charles for his interest in the student group. “The Prince of Wales is a strong supporter of youth entrepreneurship, so we are excited to introduce him to our extraordinary SIFE Memorial team,” said Dr. Walker. “These 90 or so students have made significant contributions to their communities and I have no doubt that the representatives from the group chosen to showcase four of their projects will be excellent ambassadors for Memorial University and Newfoundland and Labrador.”