Manitoba’s Churchill Marine Observatory Marks One Year of Research

A significant milestone has been reached by the Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO) in Manitoba, as it celebrates its first year of operation. This multidisciplinary research facility, part of the University of Manitoba, focuses on advancing Arctic science and aims to address complex questions that carry socioeconomic implications.

The CMO officially opened on August 27, 2024, with an investment of approximately $45 million. Dr. Feiyue Wang, project lead and professor at the university’s Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, emphasized the facility’s importance in putting Manitoba on the global map for marine research. The CMO’s design allows researchers to draw seawater from the Hudson Bay and the mouth of the Churchill River, facilitating a variety of experimental studies.

“This kind of arrangement allows us to do experimental studies, to study different scenarios as the Hudson Bay environment areas are going through rapid change,” Dr. Wang explained. The facility provides a critical platform for investigating the region’s evolving marine conditions and aims to prepare local communities for environmental changes.

The CMO is equipped to conduct research on risk reduction and mitigation strategies, particularly concerning oil spill responses in the region. In addition, the facility allows for studies into freshwater impacts on the marine ecosystem within Hudson Bay. Researchers employ a multitude of sensors attached to strings molded to the river and bay’s bottoms to monitor various physical and biological water properties.

The CMO also operates a research vessel, the William Kennedy, which enhances its capabilities for sampling and monitoring marine conditions. Though many projects are still ongoing, Dr. Wang noted that the observatory supported three significant research initiatives between November 2024 and February 2025. One such project investigated the initial stages of thin ice formation and involved collaboration with researchers from Denmark.

Another study, led by a colleague of Dr. Wang, examined the ability of natural microorganisms to degrade oil in ice-covered waters, a critical factor in understanding potential ecological responses to oil spills. The data gathered from this research is currently being analyzed, with plans for continuation in the coming winter months.

Looking towards the future, Dr. Wang expressed a desire to involve Indigenous researchers and community members more actively in the observatory’s projects. He highlighted the importance of local knowledge and investment in the research process.

“Folks who live there, who call that region home, are the ones who are going to be more invested in it,” he stated. While some community involvement has been incorporated, Dr. Wang hopes for a more prominent role for local participants in the CMO’s research agenda.

As the CMO celebrates its first anniversary, its contributions to Arctic marine science and community engagement underscore the facility’s potential for addressing pressing environmental challenges in the region.