UPEI researcher to study human impact on Barbara Weit estuary in New Annan
Dr. Mike van den Heuvel, Director of the Canadian Rivers Institute and a professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, has been awarded an Engage Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to study the health of the Barbara Weit estuary in New Annan. Dr. van den Heuvel is partnering with Cavendish Farms on the study, which should be completed by spring 2019.
Prince Edward Island’s many estuaries are home to shellfish aquaculture as well as shellfish and eel fishing. These are both important from an ecological and economic perspective. The Barbara Weit estuary in Malpeque Bay receives nutrient inputs from agriculture, sewage effluent from the community of Kensington, and treated wastewater from potato production at the Cavendish Farms plants in New Annan.
“The purpose of this work is to establish the amount of nutrients that are derived from the various sources and determine the health of the estuary,” said Dr. van den Heuvel.
“Protecting the environment is one of our core values,” said John MacQuarrie, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Cavendish Farms. “Understanding the impact on the estuary from all sources is a critical step in ensuring the long-term sustainability of this important water system.”
The information generated will guide the decisions that will lead to further improvements of the estuary’s health.
“Cavendish Farms is proud to collaborate with Dr. van den Heuvel and UPEI in this important research,” said MacQuarrie. “We are committed to ensuring the quality of the treated wastewater from our potato production facilities continues to exceed environmental standards,” MacQuarrie said.
“The road to increased environmental and economic sustainability for PEI is dependent on all stakeholders working together,” said Dr. van den Heuvel. “For this reason, we are very excited to develop this partnership with Cavendish Farms.”
“Dr. van den Heuvel is an internationally recognized and highly published expert regarding the environmental impacts of human activities on the health of the aquatic environment,” said Dr. Robert Gilmour, vice-president academic and research at UPEI. “This project continues his invaluable research into how what we do on land affects the life in the water around us.”
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Engage grants are awarded to university researchers to establish first-time research partnerships with industry. These grants are intended to foster the development of new research partnerships by supporting short-term research and development projects aimed at addressing a company-specific problem.
The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
