NutrOcean is constantly working to improve the production of microalgae and to develop new applications for their use. NutrOcean works in close collaboration with researchers at the University of Quebec at Rimouski. NutrOcean also has the benefit of the expertise of a network of collaborators associated with the company, who participate in many research projects and contribute to the advancement of technologies related to the production of microalgae.

Mr. Réal Fournier was a research professional at UQAR where he directed the UQAR-ISMER aquaculture facility. He is an expert in aquaculture and in the production of microalgae and the developer of the production technology used at NutrOcean. He established the concept, supervised the fabrication of the equipment and the optimization of the process, and directed the numerous research projects that have led to the current efficiency of the process. As the inventor of the microalgae concentration system, he directed every step leading up to the submission of the patent applications.

Mr. Fournier has been very active in aquaculture technology transfer for more than 35 years, as reflected by the many papers he has presented. He is a specialist in the design and operation of microalgae production systems and various forms of aquaculture production and farming.

Researcher: Réjean Tremblay
Dr. Réjean Tremblay is a renowned expert in aquaculture and his research is supported by many agencies and organizations in the field (CRSNG, FQRNT, AQUANET, MAPAQ, SODIM), allowing constant progress in his work, as shown by his numerous publications. Many of these research projects are collaborative. He is a member of the board of the Société de développement de l’industrie maricole (SODIM, the society for the development of the marine farming industry) and of the steering committee of the Réseau Aquaculture Québec (Quebec aquaculture network). His expertise is recognized worldwide. He has been invited to analyse research programs in other countries, such as the French Institute for Exploration of the Sea (IFREMER). He holds the Canadian Research Chair for larviculture at the University of Quebec at Rimouski. He is co-author of an active patent application for a method of enriching polyunsaturated lipid content in marine diatoms. Dr. Tremblay is currently conducting research on nutraceuticals derived from microalgae produced by NutrOcean.

Researcher Assistant: Erwann Fraboulet
Doctoral student in oceanography. A 2001 graduate in physiology from the Université de Nantes, Mr. Fraboulet completed a master's degree in cellular biology and physiology and another in population and ecosystem biology before beginning a doctorate in the ecophysiology of fish and aquaculture at UQAR-ISMER in 2005. He has published many articles on aquaculture, mainly concerning culture methods and the growth of larval-stage marine organisms.

The mission of the Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER, marine sciences institute) is to advance basic and applied knowledge of coastal environments. The goal is to be able to measure the impact of human activity on our coastal resources and to develop the scientific and technical tools needed to manage our coastal resources well. Masters and doctoral level training in oceanography, as well as increasing awareness and understanding of our oceans throughout society are integral parts of that mission. ISMER's mission is also founded on the principles of sustainable development. It is the hope of ISMER’s scientists their findings be used to improve resource management and to provide decision-makers with the necessary tools to protect species diversity and abundance in marine environments. To accomplish these goals, ISMER is equipped with cutting-edge technology, an aquaculture facility supplied with fresh seawater and an ultra-modern research ship, the Coriolis II.
 

Located in Rimouski, the Marine Biotechnology Research Center (MBRC) fulfills research and development mandates including processing of marine biomass for biotech applications, the development of value-added products from fishing by-products, the analysis of extracts and molecules, the development and optimization of industrial processes, the development of quality control systems, and the assessment and development of products. The subject areas covered are organic and analytical chemistry, applied microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology, process engineering and marine biology.

The Coastal Zones Research Institute (CZRI) is a private, non-profit institution affiliated with the University of Moncton, Shippagan Campus. Incorporated in December 2002, the CZRI was founded from the merger of three research and development centres in New Brunswick's Acadian peninsula, namely the Peat Research and Development Centre, the Marine Products Research and Development Centre, and the aquaculture research team of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture at the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre. The Institute encourages a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on three main areas of research: aquaculture, fishery and marine products, and peat and peatlands.