Dalhousie University launching new Master of Fisheries Science program

Dalhousie University to launch first-of-its-kind Master of Fisheries program.

Dalhousie University is preparing to launch a new graduate program aimed at training the next generation of fisheries scientists and marine managers.

The Master of Fisheries Science is a 16-month, course-based program housed in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science and delivered across four departments. It is still pending approval from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, but the university has begun marketing the program and recruiting students, with a planned start in fall 2026.

The program was developed over the past three years following the death of renowned Canadian fisheries scientist Jeff Hutchings. Faculty members say it was designed to address a growing need for applied interdisciplinary training in fisheries science.

Unlike traditional thesis-based master’s programs, the new degree focuses on coursework and practical skills, including fisheries management, stock assessment, science communication, and quantitative modelling.

Students will also take part in two field courses, including one at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in Saint Andrews, N.B., and another in Cape Breton centred on salmon and Indigenous knowledge, in partnership with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources.

Dalhousie says the program was created in partnership with fisheries scientists at DFO Maritimes, based at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, helping ensure the curriculum is career-relevant and reflects current practices in the field.

Graduates are expected to pursue careers in government, Indigenous organizations, non-profits, and international fisheries organizations.

Dalhousie says final approval is expected within the next few months, with applications opening shortly after.