Like ripples across water, even our smallest projects have a big impact.

We’re dedicated to helping the sector re-imagine what’s possible and create solutions that can truly change the world.

We know the right idea, at the right time can change the future. That’s why we’re passionate about diving deep into the science of aquaculture, to unlock the answers to the industry’s most pressing challenges.

As we look for ways to feed a growing global population, aquaculture has the power to provide a sustainable solution; but it must be handled with great responsibility and care.

Our groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technologies are creating a future where sustainable aquaculture defines market expectations, establishing a new wave of industry excellence.

With a collective 600+ years of experience, our integrated team of health, nutrition and laboratory specialists bring perspective and precision to your most important projects.

Myrna L. Gillis

Chief Executive Officer

Kings Counsel (KC), Juris Doctor Law (JD), Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Myrna Gillis is a seasoned life science and aquaculture technology founder and CEO with a track record of success in strategic and tactical execution in research and product development, quality management, and regulatory compliance. As a collaborative and transformative leader, she is deeply committed to social inclusion, and environmental sustainability while maintaining a relentless pursuit of operational excellence and financial discipline. With three decades of experience in business, and service she is currently test facility management for Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) following international standards under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). She has a deep understanding and experience having worked in highly regulated industries, including pharmaceutical and life science industries, and has navigated licensing and certifications for the drug establishment (DEL), medical device (MDEL), cannabis, and aquaculture licenses, as well as certifications for EUGMP, cGMP, and Clean Green organic. Her commitment to sustainable aquaculture includes initiatives in fish nutrition, fish breeding, fish waste management, and bioactive and available organic nutrient generation. All these experiences align with Onda objectives and with the research goals and product development needs of international and domestic aquaculture pharmaceutical companies, producers and others pursuing innovations and product development and release in the industry. Corporate recognitions under her leadership include consumer choice and industry awards for diversity & inclusion, sustainability, products, brands, aquaculture innovation, and export. Her individual leadership has been recognized as one of the top 50 industry leaders and has been recognized by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Dalhousie University, and her excellence and integrity in law was recognized by her peers with her receipt of the Kings Counsel designation.

Karl Ove Reinsnes

Vice President of Business Development

BSc in Aquaculture
With nearly 20 years in the aquaculture industry, Karl Ove Reinsnes brings a wealth of experience to Onda, having held key positions in business development and market expansion within the aquaculture industry. He began his career as a technician and site manager for Norway’s leading aquaculture farm. He moved from Operations to Business Development later in his career and held leadership roles within the pharma biotech, focusing on identifying and cultivating new business prospects, negotiating lucrative deals, and spearheading initiatives that drive revenue growth and market penetration. As the founder and CEO of Havmegler AS, Karl Ove explored new business areas within the aquaculture industry to remain at the forefront of industry trends. Karl Ove is renowned for his ability to drive growth, forge strategic partnerships, and capitalize on emerging market opportunities, which has consistently driven progress and success both personally and professionally.

Catherine Albert

Quality Director

BSc in Marine Biology, Diploma of Aquaculture Technology
Catherine Albert leads our Quality Assurance Program and Quality Control Testing Laboratory providing direction and strategy for quality and compliance. She focuses Onda’s robust Quality Management System on the prevention of problems before they occur, continual improvement and providing confidence a product or service will meet the quality requirements. She held various Quality roles over the last three decades with an extensive background implementing and leading quality programs for global companies. Catherine is proficient in all aspects of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Clinical Practices (GCP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for the veterinary industry; she was the driving force in receiving both GMP and GLP certifications at Onda. She has been involved with both the research and development and manufacturing stages of veterinary products for many regions around the world. Her experience provides a path to ensure compliance for regulated veterinary studies and provide ‘Quality Beyond Compliance’ for R&D studies.

Shaun MacLeod

Director of Operations

Bachelor of Arts, President of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance, Treasurer of the PEI Finfish Association
With a proven track record of optimizing operations and exceeding client expectations, Shaun MacLeod is dedicated to driving organizational excellence. With over 30 years of experience in aquaculture, Shaun MacLeod has navigated diverse roles within the industry, honing expertise in project management, resource optimization and quality assurance, bringing this experience as Director of Operations to Onda. An expert in the field of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) construction and operations, Shaun has taken part in the construction, commissioning and operations for some of the largest RAS projects in North America over his career. Shaun has overseen a spectrum of aquaculture projects, fostering collaborative partnerships and driving innovation in sustainable seafood production. Shaun is best known for his boots on the ground approach to delivering projects on time and ensuring the overall feasibility of the projects.

Meaghan McCormack

Director of Finance

Bachelor of Business Administration, Chartered Professional Accountant
Meaghan McCormack is responsible for Onda’s long term financial health & growth. She brings over 10 years of experience to the role from a wide range of industries with a proven track record of financial leadership and strategic acumen. During her time in health care, she united 20 stores spread over 4 provinces under a unified human capital management solution to bring clarity and accuracy to the business. While working in the pharma biotech industry, Meaghan built from the ground up a financial reporting solution, fixed asset management program and streamlined processes that improved workflow by 96%. She is known for her strategic thinking, attention to detail, and ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-finance stakeholders. Meaghan brings the team together to develop a clear picture for Onda’s financial future.

Dr. Fabio Zanuzzo

Director of Aquatic Research

Masters of Aquaculture, PhD in Aquaculture, Post-Doctoral in Fish Behaviour & Impact of Climate Change on Atlantic Salmon
From childhood, Fabio was hooked on fishing and fascinated by fish biology. He turned this passion into a career path and currently heads Aquatic Animal Health at Onda. Fabio brings over 20 years of experience from both academic and industry sectors, focusing on fish health, and conducting and supervising strategic research tailored to market demands. A keen eye for detail and a wealth of expertise, he is noted for his hands-on, meticulous, multi-level approach to research. Committed to staying at the forefront of emerging trends and methodologies, in previous roles, Fabio studied feed additives, immune and stress responses, and climate change impacts in aquaculture. His ground-breaking work led to the development of two novel feed additives and functional assays for assessing fish health, an impact felt across the industry. He has also worked as a publication editor for recognized scientific journals such as Frontiers in Aquaculture, has over 45 scientific publications, and 5 book chapters to his name. Outside of work, Fabio enjoys camping and outdoor activities, and he is a passionate Formula 1 and football fan.

Dr. Jordan Poley

Director of LabTech Services

Bachelor of Science, PhD in Aquaculture As Manager of LabTech Services
Jordan Poley brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront of scientific exploration and innovation to the aquaculture industry. With a background in Pathology & Microbiology, Jordan leads with a steadfast commitment to advancing research and driving practical solutions. In his role, Jordan oversees the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, orchestrating a diverse array of projects. His hands-on approach and attention to detail ensures that trials are conducted with precision and integrity, producing reliable data and actionable insights to move the industry forward. He cultivates a culture of curiosity, innovation, and scientific rigor while remaining an advocate and advisor for Onda’s clients. Born and bred of the red soil, Jordan Poley has maintained his roots in Prince Edward Island while sharing the innovation and technological advancement that comes out of the island with the world. He collaborates closely with industry partners, academic institutions, regulatory agencies to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and shape best practices for the industry.

Nayara Lima

Human Resource Manager

Bachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration Specializing in Human Resource
Since joining Onda as Human Resource Manager, Nayara Lima has been instrumental in enhancing HR functions, focusing on policy development, process optimization and Team Member engagement & development. Dedicated to creating a robust corporate culture that promotes continuous growth, Nayara’s career in Human Resources started when she finished her education in the US. During her tenure in the retail industry, Nayara implemented new leadership structures which streamlined positions and responsibilities and spearheaded the Voice of Employee Committee, creating a feedback loop to increase employee satisfaction. Nayara is originally from Brazil, moving to the USA in 2011 to complete her education before adopting the title “Come from Away” when she moved to Charlottetown, PEI. Nayara is a valued member of the board of directors for BGC Charlottetown & Montague, contributing her expertise in human resources and leadership to support the organization's goals.

Robyn Atamanchuk

Sales & Marketing Manager

Bachelor of Arts in History, Masters of Business Administration
As a seasoned Sales & Marketing Manager, Robyn Atamanchuk brings over 15 years of experience in driving revenue growth and cultivating brand presence across diverse industries. Known for a strategic mindset and exceptional sales, Robyn has consistently exceeded targets, which was recognized in 2021 when she was awarded the Presidential Sales Award in her previous role with an architectural coating manufacturer. With a keen understanding of market dynamic, Robyn develops innovative sales and marketing strategies tailored to the needs of Onda and the aquaculture industry. Leveraging a data-driven approach, she harnesses market insight to identify opportunities and optimize campaigns. She excels in building strong client relationships and delivering exceptional client experiences that drive loyalty and retention.

The Evolution of Onda

A brief look across time at the milestones and progress of our team and organization.

2012

John Buchanan & Debbie Plouffe co-found The Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) with 6 employees in Bay Fortune, PEI.
2016

The Center for Aquaculture Technologies moves their research facilities to one of its current locations in Souris, PEI.
2017

CAT (Canada) receives its AQC3 Containment Certification through highly specialized facilities, stringent operational procedures and the use of specialized equipment. All AQC2 physical and operational requirements also apply to this containment level.
2019

The Center for Aquaculture Technologies is acquired by Cuna del Mar, bringing it into a strong portfolio of like minded companies invested in sustainable aquaculture.
2020

The Center for Aquaculture Technologies purchases a 46,000 sq. ft. aquatic animal research centre in Victoria, PEI and commences GMP certification procedures.
2021

The Center for Aquaculture Technologies invests in a full-scale aqua feed extruder, providing customized feed innovation and production in-house.
2023 / January

The Centre for Aquaculture Technologies (Canada) introduces comprehensive Laboratory services, offering diagnostic testing in-house at both facilities.
2023 / March

CAT (Canada) receives their GMP & GLP Certifications demonstrating their commitment to ensuring quality, safety, consistency, and reliability of data.
2024 / June

CAT announces a spinoff to two separate companies. The Center for Aquaculture Technologies in California focuses on genetics, while the Canadian entity rebranded to become Onda, continuing its focus on contract research at its two facilities in PEI.
2024 / October

Onda announces satellite location with international partners, to offer custom designed shrimp trials.

World-class aquaculture facilities

Located on Prince Edward Island, within the heart of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, our state-of-the-art facilities foster an innovative approach to problem solving, creating the environment for breakthrough ideas.

Victoria

This 46,000 sq. ft. Flow Through aquaculture research facility includes purpose-built, wet and dry labs. Housing 8 aquarium lab spaces and 1 dry lab with 20 discrete rooms, this facility is primarily dedicated to Health trials conducted within AQC3.

HVAC
Fridges, Freezers
Oxygen and Temperature
Effluent Decontamination
Mechanical & Electrical System
UPS
Oxygen
Redundant emergency generators with auto transfer
Ozone + UV Treatment

Souris

This 21,000 sq. ft. RAS aquaculture research facility includes a quarantine unit for isolating and testing animals for common disease-causing organisms before they are introduced to our systems.