Ocean Frontier Institute

09/28/2026

We love to see our team out in the community sharing their expertise on ocean science! Like Simon Ferey, our first Atlantic Canada and France Ocean Expert. Ferey joined Julie LaRoche, a Dalhousie University professor and a lead researcher with the OCTOPUS and Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal projects, for the Ocean and Us, a conversation hosted by the Alliance Française Halifax this summer as part of Ocean Week Halifax.

The event was part of a series called “L’Alliance Pense” supported by the Government of Nova Scotia. Here’s what Ferey told us about it:

“The room was full, with an engaged and curious audience eager to learn more about the ocean and the research taking place in Atlantic Canada. The discussion explored several aspects of ocean science and governance, including the role of oceans in regulating the planet’s climate, international law of the sea, ocean acidification and its impacts on marine ecosystems, ongoing scientific research in the Bedford Basin, and the connections between local research and global environmental challenges. The conversation also highlighted the importance of scientific knowledge and international collaboration in understanding changes affecting the oceans.”

Want to know where OFI members like Ferey will be next in the community? Keep watching this space for more details.

Photo Credit: Alliance Française Halifax

09/24/2026

Last week was an eventful one for us at OFI!

We had a chance to meet with TCA researchers and HQPs at Dalhousie University during the TCA Connection event on September 17.

We also connected with the TCA community across Dalhousie, UQAR - Université du Québec à Rimouski, LAVAL University, and Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador through a virtual TCA event on September 18. This was a unique opportunity to network and learn about ongoing TCA activities and priorities for Phase 2 of the program.

We want to thank everyone who joined us, from the researchers who shared updates on their work to the HQPs who participated in the poster session. We enjoyed hearing from you and are excited to see how you continue to build on your efforts to reduce critical uncertainty in the climate system, advance responsible marine carbon dioxide removal science, and support just and equitable climate adaptation.

08/26/2026

🎓How good does it feel to graduate? Just ask the scholars who completed The Nippon Foundation (日本財団)-Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean - POGO Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography (COE) program!

🎉After 10 months of hard work that took them across Canada, the NF-POGO COE scholars gathered with program partners and mentors to celebrate their achievement at Dalhousie University in July.

🎤Joana Maningas told her fellow scholars and guests that completing the program was a big step forward in her growth as an oceanographer, adding that what she gained went beyond new skills and knowledge.

🌊“The biggest lesson from this journey was learning from each other and the different perspectives reminded us that our ocean goes beyond borders and requires collaborations,” says Maningas.

🪸“We leave not only with skills and knowledge, but also with friendship, memories, and a shared commitment [for] exploring and protecting our oceans.”

🤝Hosted by OFI, in partnership with Dalhousie, Marine Institute, Memorial University, Hakai Institute, and key curriculum delivery partner International Ocean Institute-Canada, the NF-POGO COE program builds skills for championing ocean observation globally.

🔗Learn more about the ceremony and the amazing NF-POGO COE scholars here: https://f.mtr.cool/7aen32vvok

The NF-POGO COE program offers scholars the opportunity to build new skills and connections for championing ocean observation globally.

08/24/2026

🤔You’ve watched ocean documentaries. You’ve sung along with “Let it Go” from “Frozen.” But have you ever seen animation used to share research findings?

🌊Former Sustainable Nunatsiavut Futures project member Kate Ortenzi and Inuit artist James Jacque have teamed up to produce “Tinik, Suguset kanajugatsiujut (Low Tide, The Children are Looking for Young Sculpins).” This charming, imaginative film features Ortenzi’s research on the social, cultural, and ecological role of benthic species among Labrador Inuit communities.

📽️“A lot of people have been surprised to see the story animated,” Jacque says. “There are different ways we can tell our stories and share our knowledge...”

🔗You can learn more about this innovative film here: https://f.mtr.cool/opilymzlqf

🎞️And you can stream the film on YouTube: https://f.mtr.cool/j6b02dedv8

Tinik, Suguset kanajugatsiujut (Inuttitut)Low Tide, The Children a...

08/10/2026

🎉🌊We're delighted to be a sponsor of this upcoming event and are looking forward to hearing what the expert panelists have to say about energy policy! Details below:

TICKETS JUST DROPPED!📢🎉

The MacEachen Institute is thrilled to announce that registration is now OPEN for our first Policy Matters panel on Energy Policy in Nova Scotia: Offshore wind, oil crisis, and future technologies.

Join us at The PIER | Le CIPER, our generous platinum sponsor and Canada’s first living lab dedicated to the transportation, supply chain, and logistics industries. We are delighted to welcome our expert panelists:

➡️Sven Scholtysik, Research Director, Net Zero Atlantic
➡️Dragan Pecurica, Director, Energy and Risk Management, Nova Scotia Power
➡️Christine Bonnell-Eisnor, MBA, P. Eng., ICD.D-, CEO, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator Regulator
➡️Dr. Larry HUGHES, Research Fellow, the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance

The event begins at 6 pm with a panel discussion moderated by MacEachen Institute Director Dr. Jerry Bannister, followed by an audience Q&A. Stay after the discussion for a wine and cheese reception, sponsored by Benjamin Bridge Winery and the Ocean Frontier Institute, to celebrate the launch of this year’s series.

This event will be livestreamed. The link will be sent out closer to the event date to those who register for a virtual ticket.

📢GET YOUR TICKETS THROUGH THE LINK IN OUR BIO

The MacEachen Institute would like to thank our wonderful sponsors for making Policy Matters possible. Thank you to Platinum Sponsor The PIER | Le CIPER, Silver Sponsor Ocean Frontier Institute, and our Bronze Sponsors Benjamin Bridge | B Corp™, NATIONAL Public Relations, and IPAC Nova Scotia.

08/06/2026

🌊Interested in ocean climate industries and how they can drive economic growth and innovation? You won't want to miss this event, featuring OFI's Acting Scientific Director & CEO, Dr. Erin Bertrand!

From Research to Real-World Impact 🌊

How do we scale ocean climate solutions from the lab to large-scale deployment? Join industry, research, and government leaders at the Sustainable Blue Economy Summit for an insightful panel discussion exploring the future of ocean climate industries and their role in driving both environmental innovation and economic growth.

🕑 September 18 | 1:55 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
📍 The Westin Nova Scotian, Halifax NS

Featuring:
- Dr. Aseel Takshe, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Digital Innovation and Sustainability, Canadian University Dubai
- Dr. Erin Bertrand, Acting Scientific Director & CEO, Ocean Frontier Institute
- Will Burt, VP of Science and Product, Planetary Technologies

Don't miss this conversation, register today: https://bit.ly/4ufjUse

07/30/2026

🎉Please join us in congratulating the newest graduates of The Nippon Foundation (日本財団)-Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean - POGO (NF-POGO) Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography (COE) program!

🌊Hosted by OFI, in partnership with Dalhousie University, Marine Institute, Memorial University, Hakai Institute, and key curriculum delivery partner the International Ocean Institute-Canada, COE is a 10-month program that builds skills for championing ocean observation globally.

🌍We are excited to see what these talented scholars achieve next and how they use their skills and knowledge to advance ocean science!

07/29/2026

❓How can we protect the ocean? That’s a question Camila Andreussi has been exploring through the The Nippon Foundation (日本財団)- Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean - POGO.

🌊Hosted by OFI, in partnership with Dalhousie University, Marine Institute, Memorial University, Hakai Institute, and key curriculum delivery partner the International Ocean Institute-Canada, COE is a 10-month program that builds skills for championing ocean observation globally.

🔬It's been an exciting experience for Andreussi. She met a researcher she previously cited in her work on marine plastic pollution, made friends with scholars from around the world, and studied the impact of marine heatwaves on kelp forests.

“I've gained a lot of new skills and strengthened the ones I already had,” she says. “The program has broadened my perspective on the many ways I can contribute to ocean science. In particular, the science communication workshop inspired me to explore science communication as another meaningful way to make an impact alongside research.”

🔗Learn more about Andreussi and her experience in the program:
https://f.mtr.cool/mqmaqenyls

Growing up in Brazil, Camila knew she wanted to help protect the ocean. She has learned new ways to do that through the Centre Of Excellence in Observational Oceanography program.

07/28/2026

🤔What are the latest developments in ocean data collection and modelling? That’s what Tom Spencer-Hicken wanted to know. He is exploring the answer through The Nippon Foundation (日本財団)- Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean - POGO (NF-POGO) Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography program.

🌊Hosted by OFI, in partnership with Dalhousie University, Marine Institute, Memorial University, Hakai Institute, and key curriculum delivery partner the International Ocean Institute-Canada, COE is a 10-month program that builds skills for championing ocean observation globally.

🔬Originally from South Africa, Tom says he gained valuable experience and skills through the program. The highlights for him include studying the influence of Kelvin waves along the coast of Newfoundland, working with advanced ocean observation technologies, and making connections with researchers in the field. Now, he feels prepared to take the next steps in his journey.

“I want to find more opportunities to gain experience in new or advanced technologies and see how we can implement them successfully in South Africa,” he says.

🔗Learn more about Tom’s journey: https://f.mtr.cool/lpzujvlziq

For Tom Spencer-Hicken, the NF-POGO COE program offered a chance to step beyond familiar coastlines and explore new approaches to ocean data, technology, and collaboration.

07/21/2026

Meet Eva Carmichael, a graduate of the Master of Marine Management program at Dalhousie University. She recently wrote an article for the Bras d’Or Biosphere newsletter about her role as student lead for the Building Capacity for Ocean Week Iona: Community-Led Climate Adaptation project this past spring.

Supported by the Community Climate Adaptation Fund, the project helped coordinate the recent Ocean Week Iona event by strengthening partner alignment and knowledge mobilization activities. Dr. Doug Wallace is the lead researcher for the project. Bruce MacNeil, project lead for Àros na Mara, a community-based marine research, science tourism, and youth learning initiative, is a partner and Iona community representative.

Read Eva’s article to learn more about the project: https://f.mtr.cool/lvlaenkyci

Visit our website for more information about the Community Climate Adaptation Fund:
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/ptlvpfbncw

Photo credit: Adryan Jones