Cyr CouturierResearcher Profile

Cyr Couturier

Job Title: Lecturer and Researcher; Chair of Aquaculture Programs
Employer: Marine Institute of Memorial University
Place of Birth: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
High School attended: Labrador City Collegiate
Further Education: University of New Brunswick (B.Sc. - 1980, Marine Biology), Dalhousie University (M.Sc. - 1986, Biology).
Geographic focus of research: Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, British Columbia, Chile, Brazil, Norway, France.

Brief synopsis of current research:
Atlantic blue mussel
Internal view of healthy cultivated Atlantic blue
mussel (top female, bottom male)

The focus or theme of my current research is on enhancing production capacity in coastal marine invertebrate aquaculture systems. I am program leader of a large multidisciplinary program and principal investigator on several projects related to this theme: a)mussel seed recruitment and dynamics, b) shellfish health, c)empirical and physiological correlates of shellfish site production capacity, d)shellfish site environmental monitoring, and 5)technological improvements in husbandry. I have worked with a variety of shellfish species, including, scallops, clams, oysters, mussels, sea urchins and lobsters. My research is of an applied nature and I have a background in shellfish physiology and ecology. I am interested in all aspects related to the utilization of Canadian coastal areas for aquaculture purposes.



Mailing address:
Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development, School of Fisheries, Marine Insitute of Memorial University, Box 4920, St. John's, NF, Canada, A1C 5R3
Phone: (709)778-0609; Fax: (709)778-0535
E-mail:
cyr@mi.mun.ca
Website:
www.mi.mun.ca

bald eagle Newfoundland
View of Newfoundland deterrent to mussel predatory seabirds. Scenic view of coastal Newfoundland showing winter conditions facing shellfish farmers.


Recent Publications:

Grecian, LA., Parsons, GJ., Dabinett, P., Couturier, C. 2000. Influence of the initial size, depth, gear type and stocking density on the growth rates and recovery of the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, on a farm based nursery. Aquaculture International (in press).

Ibarra, D., Couturier, C. 1998. Factors influencing cultured mussel meat yields and recommendations for a standard method. Bull. Aquacul. Assoc. Canada 98(2):59-61.

Couturier, C., Dabinett, P. and M. Lanteigne. 1995. Scallop culture in Atlantic Canada,pages 299-340. In: Cold-Water Culture in Atlantic Canada, A. Boghen (ed.), The Can. Inst. for Res. on Regional Develop., Univ. Moncton, Moncton, NB.

Couturier, C., Newkirk, G. 1991. Biochemical and gametogenic cycles in scallops, Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin 1791) held in suspension culture, pages 107-117. In: An International Compendium of Scallop Biology and Culture, SE Shumway and PA Sandifer (Eds.). World Aquaculture Workshops, vol. 1, World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA.

Couturier, C. 1994. Ovary, egg and larval peptides in sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, pages 128-137. In: Proceedings of the 9th International Pectinid Workshop, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, April 22-27, 1993. Bourne, NF, BL Bunting and LD Townsend (Eds.). Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1994:222p.

Comments:
I chose my career because I am essentially curious about things, particularly the biology of organisms. I enjoy the aquatic environment, particularly the marine coastal areas. My interest in aquaculture, now spanning over 20 years, stems from the very real prospects for future employment in the Canadian aquaculture industry for young people - for researchers, for production jobs and for support services. Unlike the terrestrial environment, the aquatic environment is three dimensional, posing interesting challenges with respect to its study and the study of organisms inhabiting its milieu. If one enjoys seeing animals or plants grow then a career in aquaculture research is for you!