Check out the events Ocean Networks Canada is co-hosting and participating in and join us for Expedition 2016: Wiring the Abyss! We invite you to get to #knowtheocean.
World Oceans Day (June 8th) is a worldwide annual celebration of the oceans to raise awareness of current challenges — such as overfishing, climate change and pollution — and to encourage people to take an active role in conserving our world’s oceans. Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) will be joining community events all along the B.C. coast, from Sidney to Prince Rupert. Check out how YOU can be a part of World Oceans Day at worldoceansday.org
VICTORIA, British Columbia
2 June
STATE OF THE OCEAN TALK WITH DR SCOTT DONEY
6 - 830PM | VIC THEATRE
Ocean Networks Canada and The Maritime Museum of British Columbia are pleased to present a talk at the Vic Theatre with climate expert Dr. Scott Doney, from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on June 2. Dr. Doney will discuss climate change and the impacts in the Arctic on coastal communities. Opening remarks will be given by the U.S. Consul General, Lynne Platt, with an expert panel discussion to follow at the conclusion of the talk. Dr. Doney’s research focuses on the impacts of natural and human-driven climate change. He is the department chair of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Tickets are available on the Eventbrite website.
8 June
THE EMERALD FOREST — AN INTERACTIVE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE
11AM + 1PM | IMAX VICTORIA AT THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM
The World’s very first interactive cinematic experience will be premiered LIVE at IMAX Victoria, as well as at many science centres and aquariums across Canada, and online through YouTube. The Fish Eye Project is screening their latest project, ‘The Emerald Forest’ for World Oceans Day, and ONC is proud to be a part of this exciting event. The Fish Eye Project connects people to the world’s oceans in an entertaining, engaging, and educational way through interactive Live Dives. Teachers from the audience at IMAX will submit questions from students in advance, and additional questions will come in through social media from other audiences across Canada.
Along with the Live Dive experience, join the World Oceans Day Expo at the Royal BC Museum from 10am - 3pm. Exhibitors and entertainers will ensure an unforgettable time. Admission is free. There will be touchtanks, photo booth, face painting, mermaids and live music, along with over 20 exhibitors showcasing their initiatives.
Ocean Networks Canada will have a booth; be part of the social media response team during the live dive, as well as welcoming participants to the event.
SIDNEY, British Columbia
5 June
SHAW OCEAN DISCOVERY CENTRE'S ANNUAL WORLD OCEAN DAY CELEBRATION
11 - 3 PM | BEACON PARK, SIDNEY
This free family event on the waterfront in Sidney, B.C., promises a fun-packed day of outdoor activities, including ocean games, live music, food artists, and many ocean-themed booths. This year will include a beach clean, intertidal beach tours, and a presentation by Pacific Northwest Raptor Centre, as well as an art station, photo-booth, and face-painting station. Find ONC under our blue octopus tent and stay awhile to learn about the latest coastal research and enjoy activity books, our listening station, undersea video highlights and more. For more information visit oceandiscovery.ca
PORT ALBERNI, British Columbia
4 June
WEST COAST AQUATIC AQUARIUM GRAND OPENING
10 - 2 PM | HARBOUR QUAY
West Coast Aquatic (aka the Alberni Aquarium) is hosting their grand opening of the aquarium and stewardship centre at the Harbour Quay on Saturday, June 4 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission to the aquarium is free in honour of World Oceans Day, and there will be activities for kids as well.
7-10 June
PORT ALBERNI EXERCISE COASTAL RESPONSE
ALL DAY | PORT ALBERNI
This will be B.C.'s first ever full-scale earthquake and tsunami response exercise. It will test and act upon critical elements of the BC Earthquake Immediate Response Plan (PDF) in preparation for a real event.
Emergency Management BC is integrating some of the results from Ocean Networks Canada’s preliminary tsunami models for Barkley Sound and the City of Port Alberni into the Exercise Coastal Response. These preliminary models provide time of arrival, wave height and inundation maps that are useful tools for tsunami preparedness. These models, together with the ocean observatory infrastructure and the new warning system under development will help to detect and forecast tsunamis for British Columbia in the near future.
PRINCE RUPERT, British Columbia
10-12 June
38TH ANNUAL SEAFEST
ALL DAY | DOWNTOWN, PRINCE RUPERT
Seafest has been held annually since 1978 on the second weekend in June. This year the theme is “Gumboots & Raindrops,” celebrating Prince Rupert’s rainforest and resilient north coast spirit. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are packed with events—activities, food booths, and entertainment in Prince Rupert’s downtown and on the waterfront. Stop by the ONC interactive booth to chat with the Learning and Engagement team about world-leading ocean research and education opportunities. Discuss the recently installed Community Observatory, and watch video highlights from the deep sea.
OTTAWA, Ontario
8 June
CANADA'S OCEAN SUMMIT 2016
ALL DAY | THE WESTIN OTTAWA HOTEL
Our government's renewed commitment to Canada's oceans has created a focus and energy for healthy oceans that is building momentum right across the country. We want to keep that momentum going with Canada's Ocean Summit, elevating the national conversation on oceans and fostering cross-party and cross-sector support for progressive ocean policy.
EXPEDITION 2016: Wiring the Abyss
14-24 June
24/7 | OCEANNETWORKS.CA/EXPEDITIONS/2016
Join our expedition! Live dive with us to the ocean depths and engage with scientists in real-time. It’s your turn to experience the mystery, power, and beauty of the ocean.