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.

Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge, Distribution of Culturally Significant Plants

June 8, 2012News, Research

If you are interested in important Mi’kmaq plants, you’re going to want to check out “Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge, Distribution of Culturally Significant Plants”, our new publication identifying plants and their habitats. The report is part of an extensive study that maps out where plants are located. It’s the final report of our two-year long study … Read More

UINR's smolt wheel is back in Middle River

April 23, 2012News, Research

UINR is conducting research on Atlantic salmon populations. The smolt wheel, which looks like a giant funnel on its side, collects young salmon smolt, safely directing them into a tank where they are counted. Smolt are young salmon that migrate each spring from the rivers where they were born and grew up in, to the … Read More

UINR Is Looking for Photos

April 13, 2012News, Research

UINR is working on some new publications on Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge about Plamu (Atlantic Salmon), Ji’kaw (Striped Bass), and Peju (Cod). We need photos of people fishing, cleaning fish or even eating them! Old photos, new ones, all are welcome. If you have some photos that you are willing to share, please get in touch. … Read More

Cool, clean water!

April 10, 2012News, Research

Sitting at the kitchen table sharing a cup of coffee or tea with a friend…it’s something that most of us take for granted. But not Rosie Sylliboy and some of the other full-time residents of Malagawatch. A boil water advisory has been in place since April 2011 when UINR began testing the wells in Malagawatch. … Read More

Kataq–Mi’kmaq Knowledge on Bras d’Or Lakes Eels

March 26, 2012News, Research

After five years of research, community meetings and discussions with Elders and fishers, UINR is proud to announce the release of a new publication on Bras d’Or Lakes eels. At first, five years sounds like a long time but when you consider that the publication summarizes thousands of years of Mi’kmaq ecological knowledge, it doesn’t … Read More

PUBLIC NOTICE: Boaters Using Middle River

March 10, 2012News, Research

UINR wishes to inform the public to exercise caution when using the Middle River for recreational boating purposes between April 16 and June 30, 2012. 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 abundance and … Read More

UINR staff featured at Wagmatcook Lecture Series

February 10, 2012Moose, News, Research

UINR Moose Management Coordinator Clifford Paul and UINR Biologist and Research Coordinator Shelley Denny are presenting at the Wagmatcook Lecture Series on Thursday February 23 at 10:00 am. Clifford will discuss moose regulations and harvesting initiatives underway through the province-wide Moose Management Initiative. Shelley’s talk will be on the science of eels, covering such topics … Read More

Protecting eel habitat in Unama'ki

November 9, 2011News, Research

Fortunately, eels are still common in the Bras d’Or Lakes, especially outside Eskasoni. From May to October, eels are actively fished along the shorelines. For the other half of the year, they overwinter in barachois ponds and embayments common to the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes. Often these areas are not considered important for … Read More

Drinking Water Protection Survey

July 11, 2011News, Research

Over the Summer UINR, with the cooperation of Eskasoni Band Council, are going door-to-door with a short survey to gather information on drinking water in Eskasoni. We would appreciate if you would take a few minutes to help. Every participating household will be entered in a draw to win a $500.00 gift card from Eskasoni … Read More

Camp Schedule for Summer 2011

July 11, 2011News, Research

CAMP (Community Aquatic Monitoring Program) monitors the health and marine productivity of the water ecosystem in Unama’ki. Since 2009 UINR and Fisheries and Oceans Canada has monitored sites around the Bras d’ Or Lakes using protocols developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Long-term monitoring of fish and crustacean species, water temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen … Read More