The Vancouver Island University Fisheries and Aquaculture Department encompasses approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of facilities dedicated to education, applied research, technology transfer, and training.  On campus facilities include a freshwater recirculating system as well as a saltwater recirculating system used to maintain all types of aquatic life.  In addition there is also a tropical warm water fish hatchery, two aquaponics (trout and tilapia rearing) areas, an analytical and fish health laboratory, as well as a microscopy room.

Located off campus, at 1050 Nanaimo Lakes Road, is the Chase River Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) Hatchery, which is a student operated coho salmon hatchery. Egg incubation, adult holding, and rearing facilities for salmon are available here. Raw (untreated) water is supplied by the City of Nanaimo, and all operations are funded and supervised by Fisheries and Oceans, Canada; Public Involvement Program. Fish raised in the hatchery are released (usually in May) back into the waters from which their parents (broodstock) were collected. This is always an exciting time of the year for students and of course the fish!

The new International Centre for Sturgeon Studies (ICSS) will bring together research activities at the regional, national and international levels involving conservation, enhancement and commercial interests.  It will provide facilities for controlled research projects and be a base for field research programs.  The ICSS will become a place where institutions, government, First Nations, industry and non-governmental organizations can consolidate their activities and learn from each other, to help understand and aid the sturgeon populations of this country and the world.  To that end, a research team has been assembled that includes world-class and emerging new scientists from across Canada, the United States and internationally (Russia, Germany, Iran, France and Italy). Their research will aid in conserving and restoring endangered sturgeon populations worldwide.

The Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) is a ‘state of the art’ 8000 sq. ft. research facility located in building 373 at Vancouver Island University campus in Nanaimo. By situating the CSR adjacent to both the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Department of Biology , Vancouver Island University (VIU) has created a unique opportunity to facilitate the early stage development and streaming of bright and enthusiastic students toward careers and upper level studies in shellfish aquaculture. To complement its Nanaimo research facility, the CSR is developing a Shellfish Aquaculture Research and Training Farm in Deep Bay , BC . This field site will be used as a platform to field test CSR research results – as well as for training, technology development and public education.