Grant: Engage Grants Program

The proposed collaboration between Dr. Don Stewart, his MSc. student Matthew Penney, and Ocean Pride*Fisheries Limited focuses on the development, optimization, and application of molecular genetic markers to*study the population structure and phylogeography of the sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa, in the marine*waters around Nova Scotia. More specifically, the study will develop RADseq markers to assess genetic*variability and population genetic structure of sea cucumbers in this region.*Located in Lower Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, Ocean Pride Fisheries Limited is dedicated to the sustainable*harvesting, processing and exporting of high quality seafood to worldwide markets. One of their specialities is*sea cucumber. Ocean Pride processes up to 22000 kg per day of whole sea cucumber. Their factories employ*~5 full time staff and dozens of seasonal workers. They manage three vessels (with three crew each) that*harvest sea cucumbers. An additional four or five people unload the boats and two or three truck drivers deliver*these loads to the factory in Wedgeport. The factory processes sea cucumbers almost year-round. Ocean Pride*is currently the only full time processor of sea cucumbers in Atlantic Canada.*In keeping with the mandate of sustainable harvesting, fundamental data on the population genetic structure,*gene flow, and movement of sea cucumber within and among fishing areas is essential for long term planning.*The resulting data will be used to help develop a responsible management plan for this species.