Dalhousie University program aims to address gaps in fisheries industry

Dalhousie University is taking steps to bring the next generation of fisheries experts up to speed as soon as possible.

The new course-based Master of Fisheries Science (MFSc) program aims to fast-track students in fisheries sciences by helping students to develop the analytical skills they will need to pursue a career in the field.

According to Maxine Westhead, director of Dalhousie’s affiliate Marine Affairs Program, the 16-month master’s program will equip students for applied fisheries work ranging from stock assessment, fisheries monitoring and providing science advice for non-governmental, indigenous or international fisheries organizations.

The latest statistics from the Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Department show a steady decline in employees since 2020, which suggests the program will fill a need.

“For many years, both Canada and the U.S. have noticed a decline in fisheries science,” says Westhead. “A lot of that will be retirements coming up from the older generation of fisheries scientists leaving the field (so) there is a real capacity both domestically in the region but also both nationally and internationally.”

Although Dalhousie’s Master of Fisheries Science program is pending approval by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, Westhead says the program is set to launch in September.

According to Westhead, the program was developed by Dalhousie University researchers Aaron MacNeil and Joanna Mills Flemming in partnership with research scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) over around three years.

“Dalhousie has long been recognized internationally for its strength in fisheries and marine science,” says Dr. Flemming in a statement on Dalhousie’s website. “Our goal with this program is to expand Canadian fisheries science capacity by training a new generation of fisheries professionals in cutting-edge methods that can meet the challenges faced by fisheries in Canada and beyond.”