Toby Balch

Science Partnership Coordinator, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

With a diverse career grounded in a passion for all things ‘ocean’, Toby recently joined DFO and works at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in the new position of Science Partnership Coordinator. Toby is tasked with facilitation and promotion of interdisciplinary research partnerships that advance innovative approaches to ocean research. Areas of focus are testing and validating new ocean technologies, enhancing DFO’s ability to analyze large and complex data sets, and exploring avenues to integrate social sciences into DFO decision-making processes. Toby’s career began with a PhD in marine biology from Dalhousie University focussing on coastal ecosystem dynamics, followed by work as an environmental consultant, then by various leadership positions in the NS provincial government, focussing on industry management and development for the Fisheries & Aquaculture, Marine Energy and Ocean Technology sectors.