After more than 15 years as OTN’s executive director, Fred Whoriskey retired in December of 2024.
Fred became the executive director of OTN in 2008, co-leading and directing the organization with scientific director, Sara Iverson, until her retirement in 2023, when she was succeeded by Robert Lennox. Together, Fred and Sara oversaw the growth of OTN from its launch as a seven-year International Joint Venture Project into a preeminent Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) national research facility (Major Science Initiative). In 2024, the federal government announced that a Major Research Facilities program would be established by CFI, and that OTN will be one of six Major Science Initiatives making the transition to this prestigious program. Under Fred and Sara’s leadership, OTN has evolved into the vibrant global network it is today.
We asked Fred to reflect on his time at the organization. Here’s what he had to say:
Fred’s years of leadership, unwavering support and big ideas will be deeply missed, but he will remain intricately connected with OTN through other roles—and as a forever OTN family member!
Fred's Bio
Fred was born and raised in Massachusetts and received his B.Sc. (honours) in 1976 from Brown University. He worked as a research assistant for five years at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution before obtaining his PhD from l’Université Laval in 1984. Following his PhD, he held a NATO postdoctoral fellowship at the University College of Wales (now Aberystwyth University).
Fred worked as an associate professor at McGill University from 1986–1995 and has held appointments as an adjunct professor with the University of Guelph, the University of New Brunswick, and McGill University, and as an associate professor (non-tenure track) at Dalhousie University.
Fred joined the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) in 1995, where he served as vice president, research and environment. While at ASF, he led science-based public policy activities and helped develop the organization’s science programs, including using acoustic tracking as a tool for documenting long-distance migrations of salmon.
In Canada, he has served on the boards of the AquaNet National Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture, the Atlantic Salmon Research Joint Venture (2019- present), the Canadian Rivers Institute (chair from June 2016 to present), and the Huntsman Marine Science Centre (chair from 2003-2011). Internationally, he is a member of the management board and steering committee of the European Union’s SeaMonitor Project, and a science advisor to Germany’s MeerWissen Initiative.
In addition to his science administration work, Fred has published extensively in the area of fish biology and ecology. He has been heavily involved in public policy issues and has worked broadly in public education and environmental impact evaluation. He received a Gulf of Maine Visionary Award in 2008, the ASF Lee Wulff Award in 2010, and is a frequent public speaker.
Fred became the executive director of OTN in 2008, co-leading and directing the organization with scientific director, Sara Iverson, until her retirement in 2023, when she was succeeded by Robert Lennox. Together, Fred and Sara oversaw the growth of OTN from its launch as a seven-year International Joint Venture Project into a preeminent Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) national research facility (Major Science Initiative). In 2024, the federal government announced that a Major Research Facilities program would be established by CFI, and that OTN will be one of six Major Science Initiatives making the transition to this prestigious program.