It is named in honour of Archibald Gowanlock Huntsman (1883–1973),[3] a pioneer Canadian oceanographer and fishery biologist.
[4] The award consists of a specially designed fine silver medal showing the CSS Hudson.
The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia serves as Honorary Patron of the Huntsman Foundation.
[citation needed] It is funded principally by interest earned on financial contributions originally received from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
Since 2014, the category distinctions have been dropped in recognition that many facets of marine science are multi-disciplinary or interdisciplinary in character.