On 27 May 2014, the Vancouver Aquarium announced a new institute to study coastal ecosystems. This new initiative, the Coastal Ocean Research Institute, ushers in "a new era for ocean research on the West Coast," said Dr. John Nightingale, president of the Aquarium.
With a vision of establishing an independent, multidisciplinary, collaboration-based institute, the aim is to systematically collect, analyze, and publically communicate data describing the health of coastal ecosystems on Canada's West Coast. Initial research programs will focus on marine mammals, Howe Sound, and ocean pollution.
