Director's Message and Overview

Canada's first marine biological research station began operations as a temporary, floating laboratory, in St. Andrews in 1899.  Over the past century, the St. Andrews Biological Station (SABS) has become recognized nationally and internationally for its contributions to marine science.  The current aim of SABS is to provide the scientific basis for management of human activities, with a focus on the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine and taking advantage of unique seawater facilities, under an umbrella of applied coastal ecosystem science. A large portion of our work is collaborative with universities, environmental groups, aquaculture and fishing industries, and this is facilitated by co-location with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre. SABS' strategic research issues / themes include:

Sharon E. McGladdery Director, St. Andrews Biological Station

• Science for an Ecosystem Approach to Management / Integrated Coastal Zone Management
• Science for sustainable aquaculture (alternate species and interactions)
• Science for the Bay of Fundy / Gulf of Maine
• Science for transboundary management (including International Fisheries Governance)
• Applied coastal oceanography
• Scientific basis for evolving biodiversity and habitat objectives (including bycatch / incidental catch)
• Scientific basis for evaluation and management of species at risk

For a century, SABS has proudly delivered public marine science in Canada, and has contributed to a rapid evolution of marine science in Canada and elsewhere in the world.  Throughout it's history, SABS has faced changing trends in a number of theme areas - private vs. public good, the role and interaction of public science with universities, and the degree to which science can be proactive vs. reactive.  While the context and some of the driving forces have changed, there has been consistency in the underlying responsibility of 'public science' to undertake relevant science in support of legislation, to collect and maintain data, and to provide credible information and advice.   The history of the St. Andrews Biological Station demonstrates a great legacy of contribution of public science for the benefit of Canadians as well as strong contributions to the international scientific community.  In my tenure, many issues and formal agreements related to the marine environment have shaped our current work by placing increasing demands, but these have created an exciting and challenging landscape for public marine science.  SABS continues to be a vibrant and exciting place to work.  Today, the St. Andrews Biological Station is recognized nationally and internationally for research on:

• Aquaculture and Biological Interactions
• Coastal Ocean Research
• Population Ecology - Fisheries and Species at Risk
• Centre for Integrated Aquaculture Science

What will be the legacy of the St. Andrews Biological Station (and of public science) in the future? This will be shaped in large part by evolution of strategies for science and technology that include decisions on the balance between public and academic science, on what is considered private vs. public good, and on long term data monitoring.  I am confident that SABS will rise to the challenges, as it has done for the past century, and continue to be a world-recognized marine science institution.

Sharon E. McGladdery
Director, St. Andrews Biological Station