About the Invention

Debbie Martin-Robichaud is a biologist who works for the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans where she is developing new aquaculture (fish) species for the east coast. She specifically works with halibut (89 to 90 lb. flat fish) and haddock. Also involved in biotech projects, she uses genetics and micro-satellite DNA to identify fish parents. Her focus is primarily on female fish because they grow faster, and is developing techniques for use during the larvae stage that spawn all female offspring without using genetic manipulation.

The work that Debbie is doing will assist the Canadian fishing industry gain a competitive edge over other parts of the world where fish are commercially grown. New cutting edge technologies are required to make the difference. The technologies that Debbie is developing, on a practical level mean that larger, faster growing fish provide for a more efficient product. Debbie, along with her two colleagues, Dr. Tillman Benfey and Dr. Mike Keith, is also refining techniques in order to accommodate Canadian tastes.

About the Inventor

Debbie Martin-Robichaud was born in Toronto, but now lives and works in New Brunswick. She was awarded her Masters degree in Marine Biology from the University of New Brunswick. She has enjoyed working with other knowledgeable productive scientists, and throughout her career has had the support of her husband and colleagues, as well as the Canadian National Research Council.