How will research shift when communities are the ones shaping it from the start? MEOPAR’s Community-Led Research (CLR) Seed Fund helps start the process of relationship building, research co-design, and capacity development in ocean-connected communities across Canada.
This year, we are excited to announce recipients of the 2026 CLR Seed Fund. The selected projects reflect a remarkable diversity of priorities: from youth‑centered planning for the future of the Bay of Fundy, to Indigenous food sovereignty initiatives, to eelgrass restoration, seaweed innovation, community-designed monitoring programs and new models of ethical data governance.
We invite you to read the summaries below and learn more about the inspiring initiatives taking shape through this year’s CLR Seed Fund.
Ocean Matriarchs
Led by: Preparing our Home
Ocean Matriarchs focuses on restoring access to ocean derived food security, cultural practices, and skills development for urban Indigenous single mothers and their children. Through workshops, shared learning with Elders, and the creation of a resilience hub, participants gain training in food preservation, ocean conservation, and emergency preparedness.
Building Climate Resilience in Whale Cove through Community Led Research
Led by: Kelsey Crouse, Arctic Eider Society
This project expands the Frontline Worker Program, run by the Issatik Hunter and Trappers Organization (HTO), keeping polar bears and communities safe through patrols. The initiative will support longer patrol seasons, deepen documentation of polar bears near town, and expand monitoring to track ecosystem level changes throughout the year.
Challenges and Opportunities for Seaweed Development Through Community Engagement in the Îles de la Madeleine
Led by: Flora Salvo, Merinov
This project explores how seaweed, an underused local resource in the Îles de la Madeleine, could support food autonomy, sustainable innovation, and community resilience. Through meetings with businesses, fishers, and community groups, followed by a collaborative workshop, the team will identify local needs and opportunities.
Youth led Bay of Fundy Futures
Led by: Suchinta Arif, University of New Brunswick, CPAWS
This initiative brings youth voices to the forefront of planning for the Bay of Fundy’s proposed Marine Protected Area network. During a two day workshop, youth participants map pathways toward desired futures, identifying social and ecological drivers of change.
The Carrefour Coop of the Acadian community on Lamèque Island, New Brunswick, as a symbol of collective territorial development in Eastern Canada
Led by: Anne Fauré, Université du Québec à Rimouski and Carrefour Coop
This project examines how Lamèque Island’s cooperative movement supports coastal resilience and community led development, highlighting how collective governance strengthens the island’s ability to adapt to environmental and economic change.
Community led Committee on Research and Commercial Fisheries Development in Gjoa Haven NU
Led by: Anthony Anguttitauruq, Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association
This project establishes a community committee to guide marine research and commercial fisheries in ways that reflect Inuit knowledge and values. Training, protocol development, and an action plan will build local capacity for stewardship and ocean related work.
Sapujiyiit Society Strategic Research Planning Workshop
Led by: Chelsi McNeill-Jewer, Foxe Basin Kivalliq North Sapujiyiit Guardians of the Sea Society
This workshop brings Sapujiyiit’s board and leadership together to create a strategic research roadmap that strengthens Inuit participation in stewardship and long term environmental planning.
Untangling the Impacts and Opportunities of Ghost Gear for Nova Scotia’s Indigenous Communities
Led by: Nina Lantinga, Nets for Net Zero and Natalie Gilson, Pisces
This project conducts a community led needs assessment with Indigenous fishing communities on abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear. It will document local knowledge, identify barriers, and guide future cleanup, policy, and collaboration.
Eelgrass Restoration Pilot in ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla o qui aht) Nation Traditional Territory
Led by: Mandala Smulders, Redd Fish Restoration Society and Saya Masso, ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ First Nation
This collaboration supports a First Nation led eelgrass restoration pilot in the hiłsyaqƛis estuary, investing in capacity building and long term stewardship.
CURRENT: Community Understanding of Rivers for Resilient Ecosystems in Nunatsiavut
Led by: Susan Ziegler, Memorial University of Newfoundland
This project expands Inuit led monitoring into coastal rivers central to local ecology and Inuit livelihoods, laying the foundation for a long term program.
Laying the collaborative foundation to study the fjord ecology of Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw territories
Led by: Midori Nicolson, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Fisheries Group Society and Emma Atkinson, Simon Fraser University
This project develops priorities and a research pathway for long term ecological work in the territories following salmon farm closures.
Atshuk Project: Showcasing Innu Knowledge About Seals in Ekuanitshit
Led by: Bernard Lafontaine, Centre Napeu Ekuanitshit and Roxane Lavoie, Université Laval
The project documents and shares Innu knowledge of seal harvesting, organizing youth events and partner workshops.
Lobster Pathways
Led by: Sara Mccafferty, Esgenoôpetitj First Nation Fisheries Science Department
This project brings together community members and researchers to co design future lobster monitoring and research grounded in Indigenous Knowledge.
Facilitating land access and supporting knowledge transfer to advance Dungeness crab work in Kitasoo Xai’xais territory
Led by: Ellyn Davidson and Kyle Wilson, Simon Fraser University
The initiative develops an ecological study on crab movement in Mussel Inlet, deepening community stewardship and capacity.
The Secret Lives of Seaweed
Led by: Elizabeth Sheehan, Hornby Island Educational Society
This work supports community led seaweed stewardship through monitoring, knowledge sharing, and youth training.
Shipping and Ocean Conservation Integration (SOC I)
Led by: Charlene Seward, Clear Seas and Seanna Johnston, Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council
The project strengthens Nation driven research planning on shipping impacts and ocean conservation.
Promoting ecosystem based management of marine environments through the co-development of community projects aimed at establishing a model for macro algae harvesting in Gaspésie
Led by: Morgane Massenez, ACPG Innovation and Samantha Bois, Coopérative des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie
This project brings together fishers, scientists and policymakers to develop sustainable, community rooted approaches to macroalgae harvesting.
Living With Grizzlies: Wuikinuxv Led Crabapple and Salmon Stewardship
Led by: Richard Sparrow, Grizzly Bear Foundation
This initiative supports stewardship of crabapple orchards and salmon habitats, systems deeply connected to ocean health.
Sargassum Ecosystem Assessment (SEA) Network
Led by: Sarah Cook, SeaChange Marine Conservation Society
This project builds a network to study Japanese Wireweed in BC’s nearshore ecosystems.
Two Eyed Data Stewardship: Mi’kmaw Knowledge Sovereignty and American Eel Pilot
Led by: Alannah Williams, The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq
This project develops a community owned framework for ethical eel data stewardship and analysis.
Advancing Indigenous Led Innovation in the Ocean Sector
Led by: Paul Langdon, Ulnooweg Development Group and Melissa Weber, Pisces
This project identifies ways to strengthen Indigenous led ocean innovation, capacity, and collaboration.
Coastal permafrost degradation and land access: how can we target erosion hotspots
Led by: David Didier, Université du Québec à Rimouski
This project studies how coastal permafrost degradation affects community trails near Kugluktuk, hiring community members to support monitoring.
Indigenous Seaweed Cultivation: Supporting the Sustainable Blue Economy through Innovation
Led by: Lucie Beaulieu, Université Laval and Joëlle Nadeau, AGHAMW
This project advances Indigenous led seaweed aquaculture in Gaspésie, assessing nutritional benefits and supporting knowledge sharing.
Developing institutional economic development capacity for regenerative mariculture (DéCIDÉMaR)
Led by: David Bourdages and Geneviève Labillois, MRC Avignon
This project strengthens regional capacity for regenerative mariculture in the Baie des Chaleurs as part of climate adaptation efforts.
Kelp gardening: Co designing research to support climate resilient kelp forests
Led by: Anne Salomon, Simon Fraser University and Káníɫkás Desiree Lawson, Haíɫzaqv Climate Action
This project co designs kelp research rooted in Haíɫzaqv knowledge and climate resilience.
Reducing underwater noise from fishing boats to reduce the impact on marine mammals
Led by: Amanda Quiros and Véronic Audet, Agence Mamu Innu Kakussesht
This project partners with Indigenous fishing communities to measure underwater noise and develop mitigation strategies.
