Visiting scientist Connie Lovejoy, a professor from the Université Laval in Quebec City and an international leader in polar research, is a marine microbiologist whose research is helping understand how microscopic plankton—the base of the food chain in the Arctic Ocean—are influenced by ocean temperature and salinity, and how they will respond to diminishing sea-ice conditions.

At ONC from 26 April until June 2018, Connie will be reviewing data from ONC’s Cambridge Bay observatory, and planning the 2019 deployment of an automated DNA sampler that will be connected to the instrument platform.

Deadly tsunamis may be rare, but if you live in a coastal community it’s important to be informed and prepared. Over the last few years, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) has been working with provincial, national and international partners to develop innovative tsunami modelling, measuring, monitoring and reporting methods that supports the creation of more accurate tsunami detection and inundation maps. A recent collaboration between ONC and the University of Victoria’s Coady Laboratory has led to the development of a virtual reality game prototype that simulates science-based tsunami events in the City of Port Alberni. This interactive game involves both cooperative and competitive elements to engage youth and young adults, and will be featured at the Royal BC Museum’s new student learning centre.

Join us aboard the CCGS Vector from 7-14 March 2018 to explore the fjords of the Central Coast of British Columbia! This is an exciting opportunity to experience an area of high significance for the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo/Xai’Xais Nations. A partnership between Oceana Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo/Xai’Xais First Nations, Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance (CCIRA) and Ocean Networks Canada, the expedition's goal is to gather data in areas important for rockfish, corals and sponges, which will help inform marine planning efforts.

You’ve probably heard of the “Internet of Things”. It’s a connected network of everyday objects that talk to each other, such as cars, kitchen appliances and heart monitors. But did you know that the Internet of Things also extends deep underwater off Canada’s three coasts? Think of it as a Fitbit for the ocean. Made possible by world-leading Oceans 2.0 data management software, Ocean Networks Canada’s infrastructure is continuously monitoring the pulse and vital signs of our deep sea and coastal environments.

On 23 January 2018, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake occurred in the Gulf of Alaska at 1:35 am PT. A tsunami warning was issued for the west coast of Canada and the United States. The tsunami warning was cancelled at 4:40 am PT. Ocean Networks Canada’s (ONC) real-time sensors detected the earthquake and the subsequent small tsunami that rippled out across the northeast Pacific.

Monitoring the rapidly changing Arctic is vital to climate science. However installing and maintaining real-time ocean observing infrastructure in Canada’s remote and icy north is complex. After five years of gathering real-time Arctic Ocean and sea ice data, Ocean Networks Canada’s (ONC) Cambridge Bay community observatory infrastructure received a major overhaul in September 2017. In addition to annual maintenance, the original network equipment and servers were replaced and all dock electronics and shore instruments were relocated to a new secure shore station. Read more...

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) technology and data continue to monitor our country’s ocean, extensive coastlines, and endangered killer whale habitat through an underwater listening station, hydrophones, community observatories, and oceanographic radar systems.

In September 2017, Ocean Networks Canada's (ONC) seismic sensors collected real-time information on two recent and very different earthquakes: one distant earthquake off Mexico’s west coast and a much smaller regional event near Ucluelet, British Columbia. Both seismic events provide insight into British Columbia’s earthquake early warning system, currently in development.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation has supported ONC since 2002. In 2014, Transport Canada, WED, and IBM Canada wisely invested in a vision to take ONC’s decade of deep sea ocean observing science, data, and infrastructure to the next level. After three years of hard work, collaboration, and innovation, this timely investment bore fruit in April 2017 when ONC successfully delivered an impressive suite of Smart Ocean™ Systems infrastructure, services and data product prototypes, positioning Canada as a global leader in ocean technology, data management and responsible ocean management.

Every year ONC sets out to sea in the northeast Pacific for a few weeks, equipped with remotely operated vehicles (ROV), ocean observing instruments and platforms, and a long list of to-do’s. Working around the clock, the crack team—scientists, engineers, ROV pilots, navigators, communicators, and ship’s crew—contend with unpredictable weather and the mighty abyss to maintain and upgrade ONC’s deep sea ocean observing infrastructure. Wiring the Abyss is a critical undertaking to help us #knowtheocean, and no-one even gets wet.

As we celebrate Canada’s 150 years of confederation, we must do so with full knowledge and pride that our country has been home to Indigenous peoples with advanced governing structures for tens of thousands of years. To kick off Canada’s sesquicentennial on the west coast, ONC channeled #Canada150 celebrations into the deep sea during its most recent expedition aboard exploration vessel (E/V) Nautilus.

Did you know, Canada initiated World Oceans Day 25 years ago? In 1992 the Ocean Institute of Canada and the International Centre for Ocean Development proposed the concept of a World Ocean Day at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Since it was officially endorsed by the United Nations, 8 June has evolved into a growing annual celebration of our global ocean. The 25th anniversary of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to look in the rear-view mirror to see how far we’ve come and to consider our future, which depends on the health of the great salty engine that drives and supports life on Earth.

In a banner year for Canada, when science and state are more aligned than ever before, we owe our future generations the courtesy of protecting the natural wonder of our North by shining a light on its limitations before pursuing its opportunities. If we don’t act soon, we risk losing control over a defining piece of our 150-year identity that is melting away before our very eyes into the pages of history.

Understanding whether fish communicate using sound is of growing interest and importance. Although many fish species are soniferous⎯they naturally produce sounds⎯we know very little about how and why this happens. Among the approximately 400 known marine fish species swimming in British Columbia waters, only 22 have been reported to be soniferous, although many more species are suspected to produce sound.