Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

The Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland will host an open house at its Holyrood Marine Base on Thursday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We invite the community to come visit our Holyrood Marine Base to learn more about the Marine Institute’s training and research activities,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute). “Through interactive booths and displays, visitors will have an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and experience of the base's education, industrial support and research capabilities."

MI Ocean Net will host interactive children’s activities on the beach where participants will learn about ocean layers, plankton and the different types of species and vegetation in marine environment. Visitors will also have an opportunity to meet Eastern Edge, three-time international MATE ROV competition winners and pilot an ROV.

Throughout the day, there will be boat tours, vessel walk-throughs of the MV Anne S. Pierce and displays by DFO, the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as the MI’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research and Centre for Applied Ocean Technology. Face painting and balloon animals will be available and there are prizes to be won.

The Holyrood Marine Base opened in the spring of 2010 and is the first phase of creating a world-class facility capable of providing education to the Marine Institute’s students and industry clients. It offers support for research related to ocean technology, fisheries, marine environmental studies, oil spill response and offshore safety and survival. The facility also serves as a base for research vessels, ROVs and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).