Merinov
Merinov is a Quebec-based non-profit College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) delivering applied research, technology transfer and engineering services to fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processors and marine bioresources companies across Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersGaspé, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Merinov does
Merinov is a Quebec-based non-profit College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) specializing in applied research, technology transfer and engineering services for the fisheries, aquaculture, marine product processing and marine bioresources sectors. Founded in 2010 through a framework agreement among MAPAQ, the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, and UQAR — merging five pre-existing research groups into a single entity of approximately 90–100 employees — Merinov operates four physical centres across Quebec: its headquarters in Gaspé, the newly inaugurated Hub d'innovation in Grande-Rivière, the Centre maricole des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and offices at Cégep de Sept-Îles on the Côte-Nord. The organization self-describes as Canada's principal R&D institute in its domain.
The service offering is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture: a shared core of cross-cutting capabilities (applied research, technology transfer and technical assistance, design and process engineering, profitability and process optimization, diagnostics and support, analysis services) is delivered through eleven named centres of expertise — laboratory and analytical services, environment, engineering, fishing technology, fisheries diversification, mariculture, pisciculture, algoculture, bio-food product development, industrial processing methods, and bioresources/biotechnology. These centres are anchored physically by the Hub d'innovation at Grande-Rivière (inaugurated October 15, 2025), an international-calibre facility housing a mobile hatchery, semi-industrial processing plant, pilot filtration units, atomicizer, lyophilizer, supercritical CO2 extractor and three research vessels (Mytilus, Marica, Picasse). Proprietary technical artefacts include the "weak link" whale-entanglement device for snow-crab cages, ghost-fishing detection algorithms with custom grapnel prototype, mechanized laminaria cultivation prototypes, anaerobic-digestion of aquaculture sludge, and the Vivier-conseils lobster-holding facility design service.
The business model rests on three revenue streams: fee-for-service applied research and engineering delivered to industry clients; facilitation of access to federal (SR&ED/CII) and Quebec R&D tax credits; and a membership program whose fees fund an internal R&D development pool that co-finances member projects. Client base spans commercial fisheries (lobster, snow crab, halibut, Greenland halibut), shellfish and salmon farmers (AquaBoreal, Culti-Mer, Moules de culture des Îles, Fermes marines du Québec), seaweed farmers (AGHAMM), seafood processors (LA Renaissance des Îles, Pêcheries Gaspésiennes, Crabiers du Nord), Indigenous fisheries organizations, ferry services (Société des traversiers du Québec), environmental consultancies (Englobe), and university partners (UQAR, Université Sainte-Anne, INAF, ITHQ). Strategic funding and institutional partners include MAPAQ, MEIE, DEC, Investissement Québec, NSERC (CRSNG), Hydro-Québec, the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, and the Synchronex CCTT network.
Merinov firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Merinov
- Legal name
- Merinov
- Website
- https://merinov.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Merinov is a Quebec-based non-profit College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) delivering applied research, technology transfer and engineering services to fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processors and marine bioresources companies across Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Merinov industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Applied Research and Technology Transfer for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Bioprocessing
- NAICS
- Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446), Other Aquaculture (112519), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- By-Product Collection & Logistics (Category 1/2/3 Materials Handling) (AFANAGAK)
Keywords
Where Merinov is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gaspé
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Merinov business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Applied research and technology transfer services: Fee-for-service applied research, R&D, technology transfer, process optimization, engineering and analytical services delivered to fisheries, aquaculture and marine processing clients across Quebec.
- Government grants and tax credit facilitation: Manages the CCTT of the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles and supports clients in accessing federal and provincial R&D tax credits (CII, Revenu Québec codes 35, 02, 79, 03, 16). Receives government funding itself (DEC, MAPAQ, MEIE, Investissement Québec).
- Membership fees and service rebates: Members pay fees that fund a development pool for R&D projects benefiting members; members receive a rebate on Merinov's service offerings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Membership program with rebate on services and access to R&D development fund |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based professional services with eligibility for R&D tax credits |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Merinov product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Merinov is a College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) that provides fee-for-service applied research, technology transfer, design and process engineering, profitability and process optimization, diagnostics, and analytical services to Quebec's fisheries, aquaculture, marine processing and marine bioresources industries. Its offering is organized as eleven named Centres of Expertise (Laboratoire et services analytiques, Environnement, Génie, Technologies de pêche, Diversification des pêches, Mariculture, Algoculture, Pisciculture, Développement de produits bioalimentaires, Procédés industriels de transformation, Bioressources et biotechnologies), physically and operationally anchored by the Hub d'innovation at Grande-Rivière.
Product overview
Merinov is Quebec's (and Canada's leading) College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) dedicated to fisheries, aquaculture, marine product processing, and bioresources, operating as a sea-to-market industrial research centre. Its offering is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture: a shared core of cross-cutting services (Applied Research, Technology Transfer and Technical Assistance, Design and Process Engineering, Profitability and Process Optimization, Diagnostics and Support, Analysis Services) is delivered through eleven named Centres of Expertise — Laboratoire et services analytiques, Environnement, Génie, Technologies de pêche, Diversification des pêches, Mariculture (shellfish farming), Algoculture (seaweed farming), Pisciculture (fish farming), Développement de produits bioalimentaires, Procédés industriels de transformation, and Bioressources et biotechnologies — which together cover the full value chain from sea to plate. These centres are anchored physically and operationally by the Hub d'innovation at Grande-Rivière, inaugurated October 15, 2025, an international-calibre facility housing versatile technological platforms (water management, coproduct valorization, process automation, species diversification) on which pilot projects, in-plant testing, and collaborative R&D are carried out.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hub d'innovation (Grande-Rivière): Innovation hub inaugurated October 15, 2025 in Grande-Rivière; an international-caliber infrastructure for sustainable transformation of fisheries, aquaculture and marine product valorization, featuring technological platforms for water management, coproduct valorization, process automation and species diversification.
- Escouade bioalimentaire
Products and services
- Laboratoire et services analytiques (Laboratory and Analytical Services) Comprehensive analytical services in chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology supporting research, innovation and production projects; reliable, precise results tailored to industry needs through rigorous methods and custom-developed processes.
- Environnement (Environment) Develops solutions to reduce the impacts of maritime activities on ecosystems while supporting enterprise productivity; expertise in integrated habitat management, mitigation and compensation, and protection of marine species at risk.
- Génie (Engineering) Develops and optimizes equipment, processes and installations to improve operational efficiency and productivity; designs custom solutions adapted to field realities while maintaining high safety and performance standards.
- Technologies de pêche (Fisheries Technology) Develops and optimizes fishing gear and alternative baits (e.g., luminous baits, baits made from coproducts, marine products, or biosynthetic materials) to maximize yields while improving selectivity, energy efficiency, and worker health and safety onboard vessels.
- Diversification des pêches (Fisheries Diversification) Evaluates and develops emerging fisheries by targeting commercial species underexploited in the St. Lawrence; includes stock inventory and evaluation, alternative bait research, and development of eco-responsible fisheries such as the Maillon faible whale-entanglement mitigation device.
- Mariculture (Shellfish Farming) Supports Quebec shellfish farming businesses across all production stages by optimizing existing farms and production systems, identifying new sites, diversifying cultivated species (oyster, sea scallop, blue mussel), and adapting processes to climate change; includes polyculture, equipment design, technology transfer workshops and environmental monitoring.
- Algoculture (Seaweed Farming) Develops cultivation, mechanization and automation solutions for seaweed farming; includes improvement of culture yields, diagnostics, domestication of new species, site selection and environmental monitoring, bioeconomic analyses, and assistance with Canadian and international certifications; operates a mobile hatchery, a seaweed seedbank and a semi-industrial processing plant (dryer, packer, extruder, bleaching, cleaner).
- Pisciculture (Fish Farming) Conducts research, domestication of new species (spotted wolffish, striped bass) and optimization of farming processes and feed regimes for improved environmental performance; supports validation and adaptation of fish farm effluent treatment methods, identification of fish health determinants, and feasibility studies.
- Développement de produits bioalimentaires (Bio-food Product Development) Supports established businesses and startups in developing or improving high value-added bio-food products; services include scientific and regulatory monitoring, ingredient and product characterization, recipe formulation and optimization, prototype and preseries manufacturing, sensory and nutritional evaluations, shelf-life determination, temperature abuse testing, bacterial growth modelling, and pilot testing; operates a vacuum crimper, climate test chamber, autoclave, and a trained sensory panel for seaweed and aquatic products.
- Procédés industriels de transformation (Industrial Processing Methods) Helps processing plants maintain and improve product quality, optimize resource use, and reduce water and energy consumption; develops industrial processes, automation and robotization solutions, quality and production audits, and provides expertise through its Viviers-Conseils service on lobster holding systems; equipment includes a marine-products dryer, industrial diagnostic capabilities, and vivier advisory services.
- Bioressources et biotechnologies (Bioresources and Biotechnology) Develops solutions to valorize 100% of available aquatic biomass (lobster, algae, crab, shrimp, fish), turning coproducts into food products, ingredients and supplements for human/animal consumption as well as cosmetics and health applications; includes sampling and stabilization of marine biomass, pretreatment (shredding, chemical/enzymatic hydrolysis, fractionation), extraction and pre-purification via membrane technologies, characterization, and scale-up to pilot scale (100-1,000 L); operates Comitrol 3600, hammer mill, Stephan and Hobart cutters, Pulverisette 14, atomizer dryer, lyophilizer, Baader separators, SWECO vibrating sieves, Westfalia decanter centrifuges, supercritical CO2 extractor, filter press, pilot filtration units, and AKTA Flux S systems.
- Hub d'innovation (Innovation Hub) at Grande-Rivière International-calibre facility at Grande-Rivière (inaugurated October 15, 2025) that houses versatile technological platforms for the sustainable transformation of the fisheries, aquaculture and marine product valorization sectors; enables pilot projects, in-plant testing of innovative processes, and collaboration with industry experts in areas including optimized water management, coproduct valorization, process automation and species diversification; designed in compliance with federal and provincial standards.
Quantifiable outcome
- 600,000 lb lobster holding capacity enabled at LA Renaissance des Îles through Vivier-conseils support
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Merinov
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Merinov technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
Merinov partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- Navigate Food Safety SolutionsminorCo-panelist at Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec 2026; provides regulatory and food safety expertise that complements Merinov's technical and industrial know-how.
- Pêcheries GaspésiennesminorCo-panelist at Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec 2026; brings the industrial perspective of a frontline seafood processing company.
- Université Sainte-AnneminorHosted three researchers at the lobster fishery workshop on April 15-16, funded by the Programme d'Appui à la Francophonie Canadienne and the Quebec government.
- AquaBorealcorePisciculture partner for the anaerobic digestion project; their 10,000-tonne/year salmon farm in Baie-Trinité will validate the technology for converting aquaculture sludge into biogas.
- Centre interdisciplinaire de développement en cartographie des océans (CIDCO)coreTechnology partner responsible for developing detection methods for ghost fishing gear in the Action pêche fantôme project.
- Crabiers du Nord inc.minorIndustrial partner on the valorization of crab and lobster coproducts for restaurant and retail markets, alongside ITHQ.
- ITHQ (Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec)minorPartner on the valorization of crab and lobster coproducts for restaurant and retail markets.
- Association de gestion halieutique autochtone Mi'gmaq et Malécite (AGHAMM)coreIndigenous fisheries management organization partnering on multiple projects to mechanize seaweed cultivation (improvement of seedling deployment, mechanization of laminaria cultivation operations). AGHAMM used the developed system for its October-November 2020 deployment of 23 lines of 130 m.
- Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle (CTTEI)corePartner on circular-economy valorization of marine coproducts. Integrated collected data into the Synergie Québec database to facilitate matchmaking between transformers and users.
- Cintech AgroalimentaireminorPartner on global treatment approach for crab and lobster coproducts for human and animal food.
- Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF)minorPartner on global treatment approach for crab and lobster coproducts for human and animal food.
- Chaire CRSNG-UQAR en génie de la conceptioncoreNSERC-UQAR Chair in design engineering, partner on mechanization of laminaria cultivation chain (2017-2019).
- Cégep de Sept-Îles / Institut technologique de maintenance industrielle (ITMI)coreCCTT partner hosting Merinov's Côte-Nord office; provides offices and laboratories at the Cégep. The partnership supports Merinov's presence on the North Shore and aligns with the Cégep's strategic plan for the maritime sector around Sept-Îles-Port-Cartier.
- Cégep de la Gaspésie et des ÎlesflagshipFounder of Merinov via its Halieutec CCTT. The Cégep is the educational home of the École des pêches et de l'aquaculture du Québec (ÉPAQ) and Merinov operates as the manager of its fisheries CCTT.
- Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR)flagshipFounder of Merinov; UQAR research teams from MAPAQ research centres were merged into Merinov. UQAR collaborates on multiple R&D projects (Chaire CRSNG-UQAR en génie de la conception, coproducts valorization, etc.).
- Ville de Grande-RivièrecoreMunicipal partner that supported the Innovation Hub at Grande-Rivière.
- Hydro-QuébecminorCited as a partner that supported the Innovation Hub project.
- Synchronex (Réseau des CCTT)coreNetwork of College Centres for Technology Transfer (CCTT) that Merinov is part of. Merinov represents the network as part of the Escouade bioalimentaire at the AQIP congress.
- Tech-Access CanadaminorNational technology-access network referenced as a Merinov partner.
- Québec InnoveminorQuebec innovation ecosystem partner referenced on Merinov website.
- Construction Marcel Charest et filsminorGeneral contractor that built the Innovation Hub at Grande-Rivière.
- CCM2 + ProulxSavard ArchitectesminorArchitectural firms that designed the Innovation Hub at Grande-Rivière.
- Tetra TechminorEngineering firm responsible for mechanical and electrical engineering on the Innovation Hub project.
- WSP + TR3E Construction Inc.minorEngineering firms responsible for civil engineering on the Innovation Hub project.
- HomarusminorProject partner on the ghost fishing action initiative.
- 132ProdminorProject partner on the ghost fishing action initiative.
- RITMRGminorProject partner on the ghost fishing action initiative.
- Association de gestion halieutique autochtone Mi'kmaq et Malécite (AGHAMM)minorPartner on mechanization of laminaria cultivation (2017-2019); an industrial harvester prototype was successfully deployed in spring 2019.
- Centre d'éducation et de recherche de Sept-Îles (CERSI)minorProject partner on improving gillnet selectivity for Greenland halibut fishery to limit bycatch of species at risk.
- Escouade bioalimentaire (Réseau des CCTT)coreRegrouping of nine CCTT acting in synergy across all stages of bio-food transformation to stimulate innovation in the Quebec bio-food sector; Merinov represents the network at industry congresses.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Merinov competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Marine Institute (Memorial University of Newfoundland): Canadian fisheries, aquaculture and marine technology education and applied research institution in Newfoundland. Comparable to Merinov's CCTT mandate, fisheries/aquaculture applied R&D focus, and connection to college-level training via École des pêches et de l'aquaculture du Québec.
- Centre for Aquaculture Technologies: Canada-based applied R&D provider for the aquaculture industry, offering services in fish health, genetics, nutrition and regulatory trials. Directly comparable to Merinov's Pisciculture and Mariculture Centres of Expertise in terms of customer base (commercial aquaculture operators) and service model (fee-for-service applied research).
- Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle (CTTEI): Quebec CCTT focused on industrial ecology and circular economy, including marine coproduct valorization. Directly comparable as a Quebec CCTT peer; already a documented project partner with Merinov on marine coproducts database work in the Synergie Québec platform.
- Cintech Agroalimentaire: Quebec CCTT specializing in agri-food R&D, transformation and product development. Directly comparable to Merinov as a sister CCTT, with overlapping bio-food product development, sensory analysis and pilot processing capabilities; already a documented project partner on crab and lobster coproduct valorization.
Broad incumbents
- Wageningen Marine Research: Dutch applied marine research institute (part of Wageningen University & Research) providing fisheries, aquaculture and marine bioresources R&D to industry and government. Comparable service portfolio to Merinov's eleven Centres of Expertise.
- Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS): UK-based marine science research institution covering aquaculture, marine biotechnology and oceanography. Comparable to Merinov as an applied R&D partner for aquaculture producers and seafood processors, with similar multidisciplinary centre-of-expertise structure.
- IFREMER: France's national institute for marine research, operating extensive research vessels, pilot platforms and aquaculture/fisheries programs. Comparable to Merinov as a publicly funded marine applied-research institute covering fisheries, aquaculture and marine bioproducts, but at substantially larger scale.
- Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (Havforskningsinstituttet): Norway's principal marine and fisheries research institute with research vessels, aquaculture R&D and bioprocess capabilities. Comparable to Merinov across fisheries technology, aquaculture and marine bioresources, but with much larger budget and global reach.
- SINTEF Ocean: Norwegian applied research institute focused on marine and aquaculture technology, including fish farming equipment, processing and bioprocess innovation. Comparable to Merinov's Engineering, Industrial Processing and Bioresources Centres of Expertise.
- NOAA Fisheries: US federal agency responsible for marine fisheries science and management, including bycatch reduction, marine mammal protection and aquaculture. Comparable to Merinov's Fisheries Technology, Fisheries Diversification and Environment Centres of Expertise.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Merinov social profiles
Digital presenceMerinov compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Merinov financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Merinov leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
Merinov subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Merinov funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Merinov M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Merinov
What does Merinov do?
Merinov is a College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) that provides fee-for-service applied research, technology transfer, design and process engineering, profitability and process optimization, diagnostics, and analytical services to Quebec's fisheries, aquaculture, marine processing and marine bioresources industries. Its offering is organized as eleven named Centres of Expertise (Laboratoire et services analytiques, Environnement, Génie, Technologies de pêche, Diversification des pêches, Mariculture, Algoculture, Pisciculture, Développement de produits bioalimentaires, Procédés industriels de transformation, Bioressources et biotechnologies), physically and operationally anchored by the Hub d'innovation at Grande-Rivière.
Is Merinov a public or private company?
Merinov is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Merinov founded?
Merinov was founded in 2010. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Merinov based?
Merinov is headquartered in Gaspé, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Merinov make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Applied research and technology transfer services are the primary driver. The others are government grants and tax credit facilitation and membership fees and service rebates.
Who are Merinov's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Marine Institute (Memorial University of Newfoundland), Centre for Aquaculture Technologies, Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle (CTTEI) and Cintech Agroalimentaire. Broad incumbents are Wageningen Marine Research, Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), IFREMER, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (Havforskningsinstituttet), SINTEF Ocean and NOAA Fisheries.
Does Merinov have an API?
No public API is recorded for Merinov.
What industry is Merinov in?
Merinov's product category is Applied Research and Technology Transfer for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Bioprocessing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANAGAK, By-Product Collection & Logistics (Category 1/2/3 Materials Handling). Its NAICS code is 42446 and its SIC code is 8200.