How do we approach collaborative research?

Apoqnmatulti’k is a collaborative initiative that brings together different knowledge systems—Indigenous, local, and western scientific—to generate and share information about culturally, ecologically, and commercially important aquatic species in Mi’kma’ki (Atlantic Canada). This partnership includes the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR), the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM), commercial fisher Darren Porter, the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), Acadia University, Dalhousie University, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 

Since its inception, Apoqnmatulti’k has fostered a successful and holistic partnership, with each partner organization bringing their unique core values and desired outcomes. Project partners co-develop every aspect of the project, including research questions, methods for addressing those questions, and strategies for communicating the findings. This collaborative approach to understanding the aquatic environment improves the quality and richness of information collected, ensuring transparency and accessibility for communities that depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.

 

What is acoustic telemetry?

Acoustic telemetry studies led by Apoqnmatulti’k are guided by and respond to community knowledge and priorities. Acoustic telemetry is used to track the movements of aquatic animals and gather information about how aquatic species are using the surrounding ecosystem. Project partners tag focal species with small transmitters that emit a coded sound, or ‘ping’. Underwater receivers detect an animal’s unique pinging tag if it is within the receiver's listening range. Animal movement data is collected from the receivers by bringing them to the surface. 

Movement data is uploaded to the Ocean Tracking Network’s global database. 

How do we engage with communities?

While typically not built into a natural science project, Apoqnmatulti’k community liaisons play a central role in ensuring community considerations and values are central to all Apoqnmatulti’k activities, including research goals and outcomes. 

Working groups are one way that the community liaisons and project partners gather information and seek input from community members to inform research directions and project activities. Working group meetings also provide an opportunity for partners to share project updates and key findings and address any questions about the research being conducted. Working group meetings take place at the study site level and may focus on Apoqnmatulti’k research as a whole or convene a smaller group interested in a particular study species.   

How do we share the knowledge gained?

Apoqnmatulti’k is generating new, valuable information on commercially and culturally important species in Mi’kma’ki, and is facilitating co-learning and the transfer of knowledge across cultures and sectors.

Apoqnmatulti’k project partners host a wide range of outreach activities to reach various audiences, including the general public and communities around the Pitu’pa’q (Bras d’Or Lake) and Pekwitapa’qek (Bay of Fundy) where Apoqnmatulti’k research is focused. Partners also share the project’s model, research approach and lessons learned within peer-reviewed literature and at national and international conferences.

Through Apoqnmatulti’k, project partners have learned the importance of sharing information beyond the traditional academic sphere to reach a broader audience. In addition to peer-reviewed publications, the project uses social media posts, infographics and videos to tell the stories of project activities and research findings. Apoqnmatulti’k partners prioritize sharing project updates and findings with local and Mi’kmaw communities and publish articles within the Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Nation News regularly.

While sharing information is important, respect for First Nations’ data sovereignty is the top priority for project partners. Apoqnmatulti’k adheres to the First Nations Principles of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession), and all partners receive training through the First Nations Information Governance Centre. Following these principles guides how the information is shared, collected, used and stored.

what are we learning?

  • Pitu’pa’paq (Bras d’Or Lake)

    Research questions: Are the pathways in the Pitu’pa’paq important for ji’kaw movements? Are ji’kaw returning to the same overwintering habitat each year?

    Methods: The research involves angling for ji’kaw at night, when they are most active, and carefully inserting a small transmitter into the fish. A total of 45 ji’kaw were tagged during the first field season in 2024. Once the tagged ji’kaw are within the listening range, they will be detected by underwater receivers placed strategically throughout the Pitu’pa’q.

    Key findings: Research is ongoing and results are expected to provide valuable insights into ji’kaw movement corridors between basins in the lake and help to identify important overwintering sites. The information generated can help inform important areas for conservation and support Mi’kmaw-led fisheries management.

    Pekwitapa’qek (Bay of Fundy)

    Research questions: What is the overwintering distribution of juvenile ji’kaw in the Pekwitapa’qek? What are the characteristics of overwintering habitat? How are juvenile ji’kaw using the Minas Passage during the winter?

    Methods: This research involves angling ji’kaw from the shoreline during low tide, and carefully inserting a small transmitter into the fish. A total of 40 ji’kaw were tagged during two field seasons in 2024. Underwater receivers are placed throughout the Minas Basin and connected waterways to detect the tagged ji’kaw once they swim within their listening range. Complementary research involves analyzing historical otolith samples from ji’kaw. Otoliths are the small inner ear bones found within fish. They grow in layers similar to tree rings and provide a chronological recording of the fish's life.

    Key findings: Research is ongoing and results are expected to enable project partners to identify and understand the characteristics of overwintering wintering areas with the Pekwitapa’qek that are important for juvenile ji’kaw. Preliminary findings suggest key hotspots within the Minas Basin that will be investigated further as more data becomes available. This knowledge can be used to better understand the potential impact that development projects within the Pekwitapa’qek could have on this species.

  • Pitu’pa’paq (Bras d’Or Lake)

    Research questions: How do jakej move in the Pitu’pa’paq and what habitats do they prefer throughout their life cycle? 

    Methods: This research was conducted from 2019 to 2020 and involved tagging 38 jakej in the East Bay of Pitu’pa’paq. A VEMCO Positioning System (VPS) array was deployed, which allowed for fine-scale movement data to be collected. This array design is essential to studying species with limited range, such as jakej. The array also included a line of  sixteen receivers across the mouth of the East Bay, and was situated based on the knowledge of local Mi’kmaw partners. 

    Key findings: Pairing the movement data from the VEMCO Positioning System (VPS) array with the information from the benthoscape mapping revealed insights into the types of habitats that jakej utilized within the East Bay of the Pitu’pa’paq. Individual jakej selected different habitat types, such as sand, mud or pebbles, at various stages of their lifecycle. The results also showed that East Bay is an ecological boundary for jakej, as the tagged animals did not leave that area for the duration of the research.

    Identifying ecological boundaries—regions where animals reside and do not travel out of— is crucial for informing management measures. This information can be used to prioritize habitat restoration efforts, design conservation areas, and guide fishing activities. However, the findings also demonstrate the complexities of managing a species with varying habitat preferences in a diverse environment. 

    Recognizing these ecological boundaries and habitat variances is important for the management of jakej. Adaptive co-management plans will be essential for this species and for addressing management boundaries in future fisheries within the Pitu’pa’paq.

    Learn more about the movements of lobster in the Pitu’pa’paq

  • Pitu’pa’paq (Bras d’Or Lake)

    Research questions: How do katew move within the Pitu’pa’paq and which habitats do they prefer?

    Methods: Data from 33 katew tagged between 2019 and 2021 within the Pitu’pa’paq were paired with a benthic habitat map that was created from existing and newly collected data. This map identified different habitats within Pitu’pa’paq, such as vegetated, sand, silt, and mud. Movement data was overlaid on the map to understand how katew utilize different habitats.

    Key findings: Research results revealed that smaller katew remained in habitats closer to shore, while larger individuals travelled to deeper areas with a hard bottom. In the warmer months, katew tended to prefer vegetated habitats. In addition, it was observed for the first time that katew buried deep within the mud during their winter dormancy, and one individual was detected 25 metres beneath the surface. Prior to this research, little habitat information existed for katew in the Pitu’pa’paq, presenting challenges for understanding how best to protect the ecosystem. Furthermore, the creation of the benthoscape map marked the first time the lake floor was captured in this amount of detail. This is a valuable product going forward to support Mi’kmaw-led conservation and shared stewardship efforts.


    Pekwitapa’qek (Bay of Fundy)

    Research questions: How do katew move within the Minas Basin and which coastal areas do they prefer?

    Methods: 70 tags were deployed to study the movements of katew throughout the Avon River system and the Minas Basin from 2019-2021. When the tagged katew swam within their listening range, they were detected by the underwater receivers placed throughout the Minas Basin and surrounding waterways.

    Key findings: Research results identified that katew utilizes tidal streams to travel back and forth between the Minas Basin and connecting river systems. Analysis of the tagging data revealed that katew moved out into deeper water in the Minas Basin during low tide and would travel into shallower coastal and rivers as the tide came in. Katew remained near the bottom of the water column, where the current was slower, and ascended to ‘catch the tide’ to travel either upstream or downstream. This research highlighted the importance of rivers as movement corridors for the species, which is essential for understanding the potential impacts of connectivity breaks, such as causeways, on the local katew population.

  • Pekwitapa’qek (Bay of Fundy)

    Research questions: How do punamu move in the Pekwitapa’qek? What are the food preferences and feeding behaviour of punamu in the Pekwitapa’qek?

    Methods: Project partners tagged 186 punamu in the tidal river system of the Minas Basin. Researchers also collected information about the food preferences and feeding behaviour of punamu using a stomach content analysis.

    Key findings: Research results indicated that punamu generally remain in coastal areas but have considerably larger ranges than previously thought. During the winter spawning season, high rates of inshore activity were exhibited, with some indication of site fidelity. Stomach content analysis of punamu revealed a diversity of prey, indicating they have an opportunistic diet. Prior to this research, little was known about the movements of punamu in the region. The results of this research provide valuable baseline data to inform future stewardship of the species.