Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

NSERC ARTI funds will support North Island College’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation in the purchase of a fully-equipped off-road towing truck, trailer, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and mobile seaweed packaging equipment. This equipment complements a mobile dehydrator being built and tested with the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association with BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation funding, and builds on seaweed processing equipment purchased in 2019 with an ARTI grant (and associated projects and partnerships). This equipment is imperative for de-risking research and innovation for regional First Nations, businesses, and community organizations and for significantly increasing our capacity to provide high quality applied research in the emerging seaweed sector in BC and Canada. CARTI’s Seaweed Innovation Hub (SIH) is a regional hub for seaweed research in BC, recognized as a leader in BC and having over a decade of seaweed research experience in BC. Most SIH initiatives are in direct partnership with Indigenous communities. Travel to these communities where most of these collaborations occur often involve costly travel via boat and gravel roads. Rental car companies do not permit their vehicles to be driven on these roads. A capable off-road vehicle is required to provide remote communities with accessible research and innovation support. New and existing initiatives will use this equipment to bring seaweed research and innovation close to harvest sites. The truck, trailer and ROV can be used in other CARTI research related to shellfish aquaculture, ocean health, and work in rural and remote communities. All users will have the appropriate training and licenses. The proposed equipment will facilitate support for communities to enhance the seaweed production chain while fostering community resilience and economic stability. With this equipment CARTI will foster an understanding of environmental stewardship and the importance of sustainable and traditional seaweed farming practices, support the development of renewable products with social and economic development benefits, foster job creation in coastal communities through capacity development in support of the seaweed farming industry, and collaborate with Indigenous communities and the mariculture industry in support of sustainable seaweed cultivation.