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Zoologist, marine scientist David Scarratt dies at 89

It is with much sadness that I write these few lines to say farewell to David Johnson Scarratt (1935-2024).

He was born and studied in the U.K., where he completed a B.Sc. Honours Zoology and a Ph.D. in Marine Science. He moved to New Brunswick in 1961 to join the Fisheries Research Board (later Fisheries and Oceans Canada) at the St. Andrews Biological Station where, by 1985, he had risen to division chief. During that time, he published over 40 scientific papers on a range of topics including the biology and ecology of lobsters, the ecology of Irish moss seaweed, tagging effectiveness in salmon, the effect of oil spills on sea-floor invertebrates, evaluations of deep-sea diving equipment and protocols, and repercussions of coastal-zone development.

In 1985, he relocated to Nova Scotia as the head of the disease, nutrition, toxicology and the environment at the Halifax Fisheries Research Laboratory. His work covered various topics within fisheries biology, aquaculture technology, and coastal-zone planning, writing 17 more papers, abstracts, presentations, a handbook on mussel cultivation and a fisheries atlas.

He retired from the department in 1992, and it was during his life as a consultant, writer and editor that I got to know him. Dave was truly one of nature’s gentlemen. I first had the pleasure of his acquaintance in 2005 when he asked me to cover the Sunland Hatchery saga that was unfolding on Gwen Gilson’s Queensland property, for Hatchery International.

Readers may remember it as the three-headed fish drama, the departmental procrastination which prevailed for close to a decade. This association led to his invitation to become a regular contributor on matters Australasian for RAStech and Hatchery International. Over this period, via countless emails and “fragmented” Viber conversations, I got to know Dave. His breadth of knowledge on things aquacultural and nautical, and his editorial capability made him a respected colleague. His fairness and expansive view of the world made it easy to become his friend, an honour so many treasured.

He loved sailing and diving and served as commodore of two yacht clubs. His retirement with partner Jo was spent between sailing during the Canadian summer and over-wintering in Mexico, a migration they drove each year, renewing old friendships along the way. He was one of those sorts of people. All those who were fortunate enough to know him witnessed parts of his full and rewarding life. 

Survived by loving family and friends, his ashes, as his son Michael conveyed, have been scattered at sea for his next ocean voyage.