Opportunities for Research

The Bonne Bay Aquarium & Research Station, and its location within the boundaries of a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site, provides physical, natural and social scientists with a unique facility and location for ecosystem and coastal community research. There are unmatched opportunities for research in the humanities and for scholarly activity in fine arts.

The biological importance of the region surrounding Bonne Bay is based on the biodiversity present in a range of geographical and geological settings from icy fjords and estuaries, to Arctic kelp beds and salt marshes, and the open marine waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The coastal communities in the Gros Morne region have highly diverse economies, histories and cultures, reflecting a long history of settlement by different peoples drawn to the region to become involved in fisheries, forestry, tourism, the arts and service industries. The communities and their demographics are the focus of ongoing research.

The Bonne Bay Aquarium & Research Station promotes collaboration among researchers from university, industry, government and local community groups across disciplines.

Ongoing areas of active research include:

• oceanography
  
• marine ecology/biology
  
• governance
  
• community/economic development
  

Users of the station enjoy well-equipped teaching and research facilities, including laboratories, a library/resource centre, a multimedia theatre, aquaria, and residence accommodations. The space can be adapted to suit the particular needs of individual courses, researchers and other scholars.