Julie reimer

PhD turned practitioner, conservation advocate, ecologist turned social scientist

Professional

PROFESSIONAL

I recently completed a PhD in Geography at the Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's, NL) under the co-supervision of Dr. Rodolphe Devillers (IRD, France) and Dr. Joachim Claudet (CNRS, France). My research looked to the bigger picture of conservation, using marine spatial planning and area-based management to bring together conservation and sustainable resource use.

I hold a Master of Marine Management from Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS) where I conducted research on industry receptiveness to large whale conservation technologies. My undergraduate training is in biology, with a particular focus on ecosystem ecology, received at Queen's University (Kingston, ON).

I come to marine spatial planning research with a keen interest in applied projects that ultimately seek to improve the social feasibility and ecological effectiveness of conservation and sustainability solutions. My perspective on ocean management stems from my experience in the ecotourism industry, my work with non-governmental organizations, and my desire to understand the communities who impact and are impacted by ocean management.

I am currently employed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the National Marine Spatial Planning Program.

For a complete list of my professional and academic contributions, please download my full CV here or review below.

Download CV

Julie Reimer PhD student Memorial University of Newfoundland photo by Maddie Mills Photo at Quidi Vidi Lake

PERSONAL

You know those photos of "grooms blown away by their bride"? I always love those photos— look at this guy who just can't believe how lucky he got! This is why it's extremely important that I share this photo of my husband on our wedding day with you. My husband is the best. Ever. We share an affinity for board games, Lord of the Rings, our dog, Luna, and chasing our career dreams. That's how we ended up living in separate provinces for 2+ years.

While Peter and our girl Luna were living in Ontario, I was delving deeper into my Maritime heritage as I studied in Newfoundland. There are some boxes you need to check to be a true Atlantic Canadian: can you shuck a lobster? Has Keith's at one time been your brew of choice? Do you know the appropriate response to "The year was 1778..."? I am a Maritimer, born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and an Atlantic Canadian, having lived in three of the four Atlantic provinces.

Being a Maritimer, you might think that I've always dreamed of a career in the ocean sector. In grade 3 I did a project on octopus. In grade 9 I got my first job, working at a local seafood market; however, like many high-achieving high school graduates, I wanted to go to medical school. When I took my first human physiology course at university, I hated it and performed terribly. Trying to find a new passion, I signed up for a biology field course in St. Andrews, New Brunswick because it was close to home and less expensive than other courses (I was on a student budget!). This field course ignited a passion in me for marine conservation, and started me on this new path that I feel so fortunate to have found. When I'm not working in ocean conservation, I'm an avid at-home-yogi, an excellent pie-maker (thanks Mom), and a committed bargain shopper.

Photo (right) by Sarah Kierstead

Personal

CURRICULUM VITAE

ACADEMIC

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Geography (2022)

Dept. of Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Supervisors: Dr. Rodolphe Devillers & Dr. Charles Mather

Supervisory Committee: Dr. Joachim Claudet & Dr. Natalie Ban

Thesis: Amplifying the potential of marine spatial planning for conservation and sustainability

Master of Marine Management (2016)

Marine Affairs Program, Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS)

Supervisor: Dr. Christopher T. Taggart

Mentor: Dr. Moira W. Brown (NEAQ & CWI)

Thesis: Vessel needs, preferences, and restrictions related to minimizing risk to whales without compromising vessel operations and the safety of navigation

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Biology (2014)

Queen's University (Kingston, ON)

Supervisor: Dr. Bruce Tufts

Committee Member: Dr. Yuxiang Wang

Thesis: Developing new approaches in aquaculture: dietary preference of calico crayfish (Orconectes immunis) and applications in polyculture

PUBLICATIONS

Reimer, J.M., Devillers, R., Zuercher, R., Groulx, P. & J. Claudet. In Prep. The Marine Spatial Planning Index: A tool for assessing marine spatial planning processes.

Reimer, J.M., Devillers, R., Trouillet, B., Ban, N.C., Claudet, J. & T. Agardy. In Prep. Conservation ready marine spatial planning.

Reimer, J.M., Glithero, L., Bodwitch, H., Ramachandran, A., Paul, K., Noisette, F. Maggs, D., Haine, E. & G. Singh. 2022. Towards a new ocean science : engaging with culture to promote sustainable development. Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

Castro-Cadenas, M., Loiseau, C., Reimer, J.M. & J. Claudet. 2022. Tracking changes in social-ecological systems along environmental disturbances with the Ocean Health Index. Science of the Total Environment, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156423

Reimer, J., Devillers, R., & J. Claudet. 2020. Benefits and gaps in area-based management tools for the ocean Sustainable Development Goal. Nature Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-00659-2

Reimer, J., Gravel, C., Brown, M.W. and C.T. Taggart. 2016. Mitigating vessel strikes: the problem of the peripatetic whales and the peripatetic ships. Marine Policy 68: 91-99.

CONFERENCES

Reimer, J., Devillers, R., Trouillet, B., Ban, N.C., Agardy, T., & J. Claudet. (2021). Informing conservation ready marine spatial planning. MARE People and the Sea Conference. Oral presentation.

Reimer, J., Devillers, R. and J. Claudet. 2020. Setting sail for SDG 14: Benefits and gaps in use of area-based management tools. International Marine Conservation Congress, Online Conference. Oral presentation.

Reimer, J., Devillers, R. and J. Claudet. 2019. An assessment of area-based management tools and outcomes. Atlantic Canada Association of Geographers Annual Meeting. Regional Conference. St. John’s, NL. Poster presentation. Award: Best Student Poster

Reimer, J. Devillers, R. and J. Claudet. 2019. Setting sail for SDG 14 Life Below Water: An assessment of area-based management tools and outcomes. Sustainable Oceans Conference, Halifax, NS. National Conference. Poster presentation.

Reimer, J., Devillers, R. and J. Claudet. 2019. Mapping area-based marine management tools to SDG 14: Life Below Water. IMBeR: Future Oceans2 Conference, Brest, France. International Conference. Oral presentation. Award: Top 10 Student Presentations

Reimer, J. and R. Devillers. 2018. Community reality in marine spatial planning: can communities and their experiences be better captured? Communities, Conservation, & Livelihoods Conference, Halifax, NS. International Conference. Oral presentation.

Reimer, J., Gravel, C., Brown, M.W. and C.T. Taggart. 2015. Vessel needs, preferences, and restrictions related to minimizing risk to whales without compromising vessel operations and the safety of navigation. Making Waves, Halifax, NS. Institutional Conference. Oral presentation.

AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders in Canada (2021)

Awarded by the Corporate Knights

Marty Memorial Scholarship ($28,000, 2021)

Awarded by Queen's University

Graduate Student Unions' Award in Community Service ($500, 2021)