OFI collaborates with a broad network of scientific organizations which include:

• The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) uses electronic tags to track more than 140 commercially-important and endangered species in 29 countries. OTN provides the expertise and technology to launch important components of the OFI’s research.
• MERIDIAN (Marine Environmental Research Infrastructure for Data Integration and Application Network) is a consortium of highly-skilled, cross-functional teams that are developing a national data service that connects ocean information, focusing initially on ocean acoustics. MERIDIAN aims to provide a long-term data service to assist the Canadian ocean research community — from scientist to developer — in the use of advanced data science technologies.
• Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response (MEOPAR), a national Network of Centres of Excellence, connecting top marine researchers across Canada with highly-qualified personnel, partners and communities. MEOPAR aims to train the next generation of marine research professionals, fund leading-edge research, and connect research results to real-world solutions.
• The Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) develops new conservation strategies for Canada’s changing ocean by partnering with Canadian university researchers and government scientists.

World-class scientists need top-notch facilities to do their work. The Ocean Frontier Institute has access to resources that ocean research requires:

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

• Steele Ocean Sciences Building: four-storey, 76,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art research space. The building also provides office space and meeting rooms for OFI staff and others.
• The Aquatron Laboratory: one of the largest university aquatic research facilities in Canada.
• The Canada Excellence Research Chair Ocean Laboratory: develops new technologies to measure changes in the ocean.
• The Marine Gene Probe Laboratory: dedicated to the application of molecular genetic methods including ecology, evolution, conservation, and resource biology.

Memorial University, St. John's, NL

• The Fisheries and Marine Institute: home to the world’s largest Flume Tank. Combined with cutting edge analytical equipment, this tank is a unique laboratory setting for the testing of large, marine-based equipment. Learn more …
• The Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building: designed to support aquaculture feeding trials and broodstock development.
• The Cold-Ocean and Deep-Sea Research Facility: a biocontainment centre for aquaculture health research, including vaccine and clinical diet development.
• Opened in 2021, the Core Science Facility is 42,000-square-meters of modern research space and a catalyst for collaboration and new discoveries.

University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI

• Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) is globally recognized for its research work in aquatic animal health and epidemiology and plays a leading role in protecting the health and productivity of wild, and farmed, fisheries. Housed at AVC is an interconnected network of aquatic research centres and programs, involving internationally-renowned researchers who collaborate with industry, government, and academic partners. Facilities include state-of-the-art aquatic research laboratories, a 12,000-square-foot aquatic animal facility, and an ISO-17025 accredited diagnostic service.

Through connections within the industry, OFI enables researchers to put their science to work—applying and testing their theories through incubator projects with the eventual goal of achieving commercialization.

OFI has partnered with The Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE), which provides a home to ocean technology businesses, start-ups, researchers, and marine-based and service businesses that support the ocean technology sector.

With a prime waterfront location, on one of the largest harbours in the world, COVE is in close proximity to major ocean research institutes and world-leading companies focused on ocean-technology. It has rail and road access and is located 25 minutes from Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

High tech space at COVE

The COVE facility includes a mix of short and long-term workspace. Amenities include electronics fabrication and testing facilities, mechanical fabrication space, office space, storage spaces, water tanks, waterside marine services, and shared services such as reception and a large multipurpose room for training and events:

• An eight-acre site, with a 13-acre water lot
• 2,850 feet of docks & two finger piers
• A water depth of 49 feet
• 16,000 square feet of office space
• 10,000 square feet of incubation space
• 16,500 square feet of shop and lab space