The Northern Institute for Research in Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (INREST) has announced the creation of the Groupe de recherche sur l’écosystème du fjord du Saguenay (GREFS). Bringing together the high-level expertise of teams of researchers and professionals from INREST, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) and Université Laval, the new research group will advance scientific knowledge and improve understanding of the factors that influence the Saguenay Fjord ecosystem.

Coordinated by INREST, the GREFS’s work is part of the Enviro-Actions pilot project, which was developed by INREST’s Centre for Industrial Port Expertise (CEIP). This innovative pilot project, combined with two newly created laboratories—UQAC’s Laboratoire de recherche sur l’écosystème du Fjord du Saguenay (Écofjord) and Université Laval’s Laboratoire de recherche sur la biodiversité marine et aquatique (Biome)—will support the GREFS in conducting large-scale research projects.

The data collected will provide marine managers with a management tool designed to protect ecosystems, better understand the factors that influence the fjord’s plant and wildlife habitat and find out how these factors interact by linking and analysing them within a comprehensive, independent, and robust scientific framework. This cutting-edge research is made possible by an investment of $5.6 million from local stakeholders and the Government of Quebec.

The in-depth study of the various factors that make up the Saguenay Fjord ecosystem will complement and enhance the existing body of research. It will also promote the continuous improvement of best practices as well as prevention and innovation within the port and shipping industry. For example, within a multidisciplinary framework the GREFS will study various factors that affect the biodiversity and food web of species in the Saguenay Fjord, which will significantly improve current knowledge.