Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre

About the Centre

• As part of the Government of Canada’s new investments in ocean and freshwater science, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is investing in the development of two Science Enterprise Centres (SECs): the Gulf Fisheries Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick and the Centre for Aquaculture and Environmental Research (CAER) in West Vancouver, British Columbia.

• The Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) will be a multi-partner research facility, equipped with the state-of-the-art infrastructure, tools and networks in the pursuit of high-level scientific research.

• The ASEC will drive collaborative scientific research; foster partnerships; promote community engagement and ocean literacy; build a culture of sustainability, excellence and continuous innovation; and actively focus on traditional ecological knowledge.

•  To explore potential partnerships, DFO is currently engaging with universities, Aboriginal communities, the fishing industry, non-governmental organizations and other federal government departments.

• Potential plans for the facility include:
  • State-of-the-art laboratories, equipment and networks
  • Collaborative and innovative scientific research areas
  • Publicly accessible interactive and interpretive spaces
  • Opportunities for collaboration with Indigenous groups
  • Science activities and events for the community, including opportunities for citizen science

History of the Gulf Fisheries Centre

• The Gulf Fisheries Centre is located in the former College Notre-Dame d’Acadie which was administered by the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur Congregation. Built in 1948, it was the first Francophone post-secondary educational institution for women in the Maritimes. It closed in 1965 following the opening of the Université de Moncton.

• In 1982, Fisheries and Oceans Canada acquired the facility. The building was completely renovated to house the Gulf Fisheries Centre as of 1986. At that same time, the Gulf Fisheries Centre was designated as a federal heritage building for its architectural, historic and socio-cultural importance.

• Since 2001, the building has belonged to Public Services and Procurement Canada (formerly Public Works and Government Services Canada).

• Today, the Gulf Fisheries Centre houses the Gulf Region’s headquarters as well as one of the Government of Canada’s four laboratories specializing in the health of aquatic animals.