Celebrating 20 years of ocean monitoring & exploration

February 8, 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Ocean Networks Canada’s historic launch of the world’s first large-scale interactive portal for real-time ocean monitoring. This bold experiment to use a cabled observatory to bring live data from the depths of the Salish Sea has evolved and expanded to become one of Canada's Major Research Facilities.

Today Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), an initiative of the University of Victoria, operates world leading observatories in the deep ocean and coastal waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic coasts of Canada, as well as in the Southern Ocean. ONC also operates mobile and land-based assets, including coastal radar.

ONC is transforming how we #KnowTheOcean with ocean data technology innovation and through parnterships with Indigenous and coastal communities, industry, researchers, and governments.

Data from ONC observatories are enabling critical action on climate change, marine and coastal safety, scientific discovery, national security, and economic development. Dive into this journey that retraces the steps to where we are today - from world-leading observatory operations, to science-at-sea, and exploring wonders of our blue planet.

Scroll through the interactive StoryMap featuring ONC's 20 year history.