The Research Vessel Kiyi

The kiyi (Coregonus kiyi) is a species of freshwater whitefish, a deepwater cisco, endemic to the Great Lakes. It previously inhabited all the Great Lakes save Erie, but it now persists only in Lake Superior where it is common.

Maybe the next time that I’m at the Cozy Inn for fish, white fish that is, I should ask for two-pieces of kiyi. After all many other foods are ordered by name. In Seattle, they price and sell salmon by the species. It is a great marketing ploy.

The Great Lakes Science Center headquarters is located on the North Campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Center operates five large research vessels in the Great Lakes. The Research Vessel (R/V) Kiyi is based in Sault Ste. Marie. The R/V Kiyi (built-in 1999; 107 ft. long) is dedicated primarily to research on Lake Superior. As one of the Center’s three largest vessels, the R/V Kiyi is one of the most versatile boats in their fleet and is equipped to conduct a wide range of limnological (freshwater science), habitat, and fisheries studies. It is equipped with specialized equipment for conducting acoustic fish sampling.