Voyage could bolster aquaculture industry
The Marine Institute of the Memorial University of Newfoundland is a post-secondary ocean and marine polytechnic located in St John's. Among other things, it operates the training and research vessel, MV Anne S Pierce. The diesel engine ship measures 116.6 feet in length, weighs 295 tonnes and can cruise up to ten knots. She features a laboratory and aft working areas as well as accommodation for sixteen people.
As VOCM's Lacy O'Connell recently reported that the Ann S Pierce is about to embark on a research trip aimed at providing support for the aquaculture industry:
The Anne S. Pierce is docked in Holyrood ( a coastal town about 30 km southeast of the Newfoundland and Labrador capital of St John’s) today, getting ready to gather information on tides, currents, weather and more. It's part of the provincial government's funding of over $1-million (~€ 700,000) over two years for research to support the aquaculture industry.
Minister (of Fisheries and Aquaculture) Vaughn Granter made the announcement in Holyrood today. He says research completed along the south coast for the next two years will support sustainable practices in the aquaculture industry. Eleven bay management research areas have been created in the Bay d'Espoir area. According to the province, work done by the MV Anne S. Pierce to establish ecosystem-based management will mean sustainable expansion of aquaculture, enhanced biosecurity, and fish health policies.
The work will include gathering environmental information, such as water salinity and temperature, as well as information on tides and deep water movement.
