Centre for Marine and Aquatic Resources

The Centre for Marine and Aquatic Resources (CMAR) is a joint collaborative research initiative between the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) and the Faculty of Science at the University of Prince Edward Island as well as aquaculture industry partners. In 2000, CMAR was awarded an infrastructure grant for more than $1.3 million under the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) University Research Development Fund.

Mandate:

  1. To establish a scientific centre to conduct basic and applied research on some of the most important pressing issues related to marine environment and disease interaction.
  2. To be a resource for Canadian Government departments such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and aquaculture industries.

Research Interests:

The breadth of interest among the principal researchers is varied but focuses on issues relating to the marine environment and disease interactions. The initiative involves genetic identification of aquatic species that are important to the region’s economy, set up and maintenance of a national reference centre for viral, bacterial, and parasitic fish pathogens, and new aquatic research facilities.

CMAR research focuses on development of techniques and materials which are of unique strategic importance to the Canadian aquaculture industry and marine life, so as to increase competitiveness of aquaculture industry, and to create new economic ventures.

The CMAR Inventory:

  • Confocal Microscope Suite
  • Hitachi Transmission Electron Microscope with digital imaging system.
    • Roche LightCycler System.
  • High capacity Liquid nitrogen tanks.
  • Biocontainment fish holding systems.

Future Expansion:

CMAR wishes to upgrade its current equipment, and also to expand in support of its research projects, as well as proceed to the practical application of the research results, moving research discovery to commercial testing. To accomplish these tasks, CMAR in collaboration with the Diagnostic Services Unit at AVC have decided to establish a Pathoproteomics Facility for Veterinary Sciences at AVC, UPEI.

Contact:

Frederick S.B. Kibenge. BVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM
Professor of Virology
OIE Expert for Infectious salmon anemia
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, AVC
Tel: (902) 566-0967
Fax: (902) 566-0851
e-mail: kibenge@upei.ca