Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

Come See MI World – that was the theme of the Marine Institute’s recent Open House and more than 500 people accepted the invitation! Visiting 155 Ridge Road, Saturday’s visitors got to see some of the exciting things happening inside the world-leading centre for marine and ocean-related career education and research.

Taking self-guided tours of the building, MI guests explored samples of freaky fish, sailed around St. John’s Harbour on the Full Mission Ships Bridge Simulator, experimented with food, fish, metals and bacteria and got to experience what it is like to participate in a taste panel. They also had the chance to build model boats, pilot remotely operated vehicles, check out the world’s largest Flume Tank and take a look at how engines work.

Representatives from MI’s various schools and centres were on hand to talk about their research, areas of expertise and ongoing projects such as aquaponics and halibut tagging on the Northern Peninsula. MI’s inshore fisheries research vessel, the RV Gecho II which was custom built to conduct research in coastal bays with unique habitats, inshore spawning and nursery habitats was also on display.

Not only was the Open House a great opportunity for the public to see what happens at MI, new and prospective students were able to tour campus to find out more about what the Institute has to offer. Not to mention, it was a great welcome home for alumni.

Overall, it was a great event and the feedback has been fantastic, but then again the MI facility speaks for itself. Where else could one spend their Saturday morning piloting a ship, sitting under the stars during a Planetarium show or learning how to grow plants with fish effluent, all under one roof?

Miss this Open House? You’re in luck. High schools and students can request a tour with MI’s Office of Student Recruitment at www.mi.mun.ca/reserveatour