OTN Canada Students: Iva Peklová

Iva is an MSc candidate at the University of Windsor. She is interested in expanding the knowledge on movements and behavioural patterns of fish, and their effects on trophic relationships between fish and top predators, such as whales and sharks, in a changing Arctic ecosystem. Her research focuses on two deep water, living, benthic species: Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) and Arctic skate (Amblyraja hyperborea). Greenland halibut are known to be a major diet item for top predators in the Arctic and are a commercially significant resource. The Arctic skate is a by-catch species that has been seldom studied, and knowledge of its ecology is limited. Satellite and acoustic telemetry have been used to address movement patterns and seasonal distributions from fine to large time and spatial scales. Iva's research will further our knowledge of Greenland halibut and Arctic skates and enable the development of suitable fishery management practices in areas newly opened to commercial fisheries.

Iva earned her BSc (Hons.) with a major in Environmental Sciences at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario.

Affiliations: Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor

Areas of Expertise: Greenland halibut and Arctic skate movement ecology and behaviour, acoustic and satellite telemetry, stable isotope analysis