UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
The UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries is an academic research unit within UBC's Faculty of Science that conducts interdisciplinary ocean and fisheries research using eDNA, statistical ecology, and fisheries modeling. It serves governments, Indigenous Nations, international bodies, and academic peers through publications, policy advice, and training programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries does
The UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) is an academic research institute within the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science, established in 2015 and headquartered on UBC's Vancouver campus. The institute conducts interdisciplinary research spanning oceanography, fisheries science, marine biology, ecological modeling, and the social dimensions of ocean governance, serving academic peers, government agencies (Canadian federal/BC ministries, NOAA, UN bodies), Indigenous Nations (notably Homalco and Tsleil-Waututh), philanthropic funders, and foundation partners. Its core technical capabilities center on environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and metabarcoding for marine species detection, statistical ecology methods for habitat selection and animal movement, fisheries assessment and modeling approaches, and global fisheries catch reconstruction through the Sea Around Us initiative.
The institute operates several branded research programs including the Pelagic Ecosystems Lab (eDNA and zooplankton biodiversity), the Statistical Ecology Research Group (SERG), the Fisheries Economics Research Unit (FERU), Project Seahorse, and the Africa-UBC Oceans and Fisheries Visiting Fellows Program. IOF does not sell commercial products or services; instead, its outputs include peer-reviewed publications (notably the Fisheries Centre Research Reports series), graduate-level academic programs, non-credit professional courses (e.g., Introduction to Aquatic Data Sciences), and policy advisory input to the UN Third World Ocean Assessment and NOAA-led SUPREME program. Funding flows from competitive research grants (NSERC Discovery Grants, Canada Research Chairs), philanthropy (Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative), and foundation support (Tula Foundation, MITACS, Peter Wall Legacy Awards). Recognition includes the 2023 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (Pauly and Sumaila), the 2024 BC Conservation & Biodiversity Award, and induction into the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
- Legal name
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF), The University of British Columbia
- Website
- https://oceans.ubc.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries is an academic research unit within UBC's Faculty of Science that conducts interdisciplinary ocean and fisheries research using eDNA, statistical ecology, and fisheries modeling. It serves governments, Indigenous Nations, international bodies, and academic peers through publications, policy advice, and training programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine and Fisheries Academic Research
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Aquaculture (11251)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Assessments (EUAHAHAB), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Aquaculture & Fisheries Operations (EDAOAOAK)
Keywords
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Marketing channels4 records
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries is an academic research institute that conducts interdisciplinary research on ocean ecosystems, marine biodiversity, and sustainable fisheries management. It offers graduate-level academic programs, non-credit professional courses such as Introduction to Aquatic Data Sciences, the Africa-UBC Visiting Fellows Program for sub-Saharan African researchers, peer-reviewed Fisheries Centre Research Reports, and operates specialized research labs including the Pelagic Ecosystems Lab and the Statistical Ecology Research Group (SERG). Research outputs include science-based policy advice, stock assessments, conservation planning, and climate adaptation strategies delivered to governments, Indigenous communities, and international bodies.
Product overview
The UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries is an academic research institution within UBC's Faculty of Science. Rather than a commercial product portfolio, its offerings consist of educational programs (graduate degrees, non-credit professional courses), research publications (Fisheries Centre Research Reports), fellowship opportunities (Africa-UBC Visiting Fellows Program), and specialized research laboratories conducting ocean and fisheries science. The Institute operates research labs including the Pelagic Ecosystems Lab and Statistical Ecology Research Group (SERG), producing peer-reviewed publications and training future researchers in marine science.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pelagic Ecosystems Lab: Research laboratory led by Dr. Brian Hunt focusing on pelagic marine ecosystems, zooplankton biodiversity, and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling methods for species detection and monitoring.
- SERG (Statistical Ecology Research Group)
- Africa-UBC Oceans and Fisheries Visiting Fellows Program
- Sea Around Us
- Project Seahorse
- FERU (Fisheries Economics Research Unit)
Products and services
- Graduate Program Graduate-level academic program offering degrees in ocean and fisheries sciences as part of UBC's Faculty of Science.
- Non-Credit Courses Extended learning courses including Introduction to Aquatic Data Sciences designed for professionals and researchers in oceans, fisheries, and sustainable development.
- Africa-UBC Oceans and Fisheries Visiting Fellows Program Research fellowship program established in 2024 enabling sub-Saharan African early-career researchers to participate in collaborative research on African ocean or freshwater systems sustainability and conservation projects with UBC scholars, with total fellowship value of approximately $23,000 CAD per laureate.
- Fisheries Centre Research Reports (FCRR) Peer-reviewed research report series covering fisheries science, marine ecology, fish biology, and related topics, published by the Institute.
- Pelagic Ecosystems Lab Research laboratory focused on pelagic (open ocean) ecosystems, studying zooplankton, micronekton, marine food webs, and using eDNA for biodiversity monitoring.
- SERG (Statistical Ecology Research Group) Research group developing new statistical methods to tackle ecological data problems, including habitat selection models and animal movement analysis.
- Sea Around Us Research initiative focused on global fisheries data, catch reconstructions, and marine biodiversity research led by Dr. Daniel Pauly.
- Project Seahorse Conservation research initiative focused on seahorses and marine conservation led by Dr. Amanda Vincent.
- FERU (Fisheries Economics Research Unit) Research unit focused on fisheries economics and policy analysis led by Dr. Rashid Sumaila.
Quantifiable outcome
- Led international review evaluating 22 climate mitigation and adaptation strategies across fisheries and aquaculture, published in Environmental Research: Food Systems
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- University of Cape CoastcoreDeveloped the Africa-UBC Oceans and Fisheries Visiting Fellows Program in collaboration with IOF professors. The University of Cape Coast in Ghana assists with program development and administration, including hosting the application portal (africaubcprogram.ucc.edu.gh).
- Homalco First NationcoreCollaborative research on Bute Inlet fjord conservation. The Homalco First Nation has governance over parts of Bute Inlet, where eulachon populations were discovered inhabiting and reproducing in unprotected fjords.
- Tsleil-Waututh NationcorePartnership on conservation and stewardship initiatives. Indian Arm fjord, under governance of Tsleil-Waututh Nation, was identified as having eulachon habitat. The nation is also involved in the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Guardian program benefiting from eDNA sampling research.
- Hakai InstitutecoreLong-standing research collaboration including the Juvenile Salmon Survival Program and Hakai Coastal Initiative's Marine Food Webs Working Group. The Hakai Institute provides infrastructure and support for field research in coastal BC.
- Stockholm Resilience CentrecoreDr. Colette Wabnitz serves as research affiliate, contributing to interdisciplinary research on ocean sustainability, blue foods, and climate solutions.
- Stanford University Center for Ocean SolutionscoreDr. Colette Wabnitz is senior researcher at both IOF and Stanford's Center for Ocean Solutions, working on climate adaptation and blue food sustainability research.
- International Organizations (UN, NOAA)coreIOF researchers including Rashid Sumaila, Brian Hunt, Ibrahim Issifu, Louise Teh, Colette Wabnitz, and Nathan Bennett participated in writing the UN Third World Ocean Assessment. Dr. Deng Palomares is on the international steering committee for NOAA-led SUPREME program endorsed by UN Decade of Ocean Science.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Leading independent ocean research organization delivering marine science, ocean observation, and graduate education — closely comparable in mission, scale, and the mix of basic research, policy influence, and graduate training that defines IOF.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography: UC San Diego's oceanographic research institute conducting marine biology, fisheries, and climate-ocean science with a similarly broad academic research mandate and graduate training programs — directly comparable to IOF's research-institute structure and core ocean/fisheries focus.
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory: UK-based marine research institute working on ocean biogeochemistry, ecosystem observation, and marine biodiversity — comparable to IOF in basic-and-applied ocean research mix and policy engagement.
- Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions: Stanford-based applied ocean policy and science center where Dr. Colette Wabnitz holds a senior researcher role; directly comparable through joint ocean sustainability, climate adaptation, and blue food research programs with IOF.
- Stockholm Resilience Centre: Stockholm University research centre focused on ocean sustainability, blue foods, and resilience science — an IOF partner via research affiliate Dr. Colette Wabnitz, with directly overlapping research themes on blue food systems and ocean governance.
- Hakai Institute: BC-based marine research institute with overlapping focus on coastal BC ecosystems, salmon, eDNA, and long-term ecological monitoring; explicitly cited as a core research partner of IOF and operates in the same geographic and scientific niche.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute: Private oceanographic research institute focused on marine science and technology development — comparable as a research-only ocean institute combining fundamental science with technology/methodology development like IOF's eDNA work.
Broad incumbents
- NOAA Fisheries: U.S. federal agency conducting fisheries science, stock assessments, and marine resource management — a major institutional user of fisheries research methods and an IOF partner through the SUPREME program and joint UN assessment work.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): Canadian federal agency responsible for fisheries management, marine science, and oceans policy — the primary Canadian counterpart and frequent partner of IOF, providing policy uptake of IOF research on stock assessments and conservation.
Emerging players
- Schmidt Ocean Institute: Philanthropically funded ocean research organization supporting technology-enabled ocean exploration and open data — overlaps with IOF's science-policy interface and open data ethos, though Schmidt emphasizes technology platform and vessel access over institutional academic structure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries social profiles
Digital presenceUBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries 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 UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
What does UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries do?
The UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries is an academic research institute that conducts interdisciplinary research on ocean ecosystems, marine biodiversity, and sustainable fisheries management. It offers graduate-level academic programs, non-credit professional courses such as Introduction to Aquatic Data Sciences, the Africa-UBC Visiting Fellows Program for sub-Saharan African researchers, peer-reviewed Fisheries Centre Research Reports, and operates specialized research labs including the Pelagic Ecosystems Lab and the Statistical Ecology Research Group (SERG). Research outputs include science-based policy advice, stock assessments, conservation planning, and climate adaptation strategies delivered to governments, Indigenous communities, and international bodies.
Is UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries a public or private company?
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries founded?
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Who are UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Hakai Institute and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Broad incumbents are NOAA Fisheries and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Schmidt Ocean Institute is listed as an emerging player.
Does UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries have an API?
No public API is recorded for UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.
What industry is UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries in?
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries's product category is Marine and Fisheries Academic Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of EUAHAHAB, Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Assessments. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 8731.