INTRODUCTION
This workshop, co-sponsored by Dalhousie University and Ocean Networks Canada, provided researchers
and students with hands-on training in accessing and visualizing data from the NEPTUNE Canada and
VENUS undersea networks. Workshop participants also discussed current and future observatory research in
the areas of benthic ecology, benthic boundary layer dynamics, water column studies, modeling of physical
and biological processes and acoustic monitoring of bedform dynamics.
Major objectives for the workshop were to:
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Engage with current researchers, including students
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Provide hands-on training in observatory data access and data visualization
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Receive input and suggestions on data access and data products
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Review progress in benthic ecology research using the NEPTUNE Canada and VENUS cabled networks
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Coordinate future research activities and develop strategic funding options for observatory research activities.
PARTICIPANTS
(30 in attendance – 39 registered)
Memorial University - Paul Snelgrove, Renald Belley, Len Zedel, Chih-Lin Wei
Dalhousie University - Anna Metaxas, Tetjana Ross, Alex Hay, Richard Cheel, Adam Comeau, Richard Davis,
Andrea Moore, Doug Schillinger, Nina Stark, Duncan Bates, Jesse David
Saint Francis Xavier University – Hillary MacDonell
Institute des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (UQAR) – Adeline Piot
Ocean Tracking Network – Ron O’Dor, Lenore Bajona, Ian Beveridge, Robert Branton, Susan Dufault, Sara
Iverson, Kyle McKenzie, Kes Morton
Geological Survey of Canada – Michael Li
McGregor GeoScience Limited – Ulrich Lobsiger
JASCO Applied Sciences – John Moloney
ROMOR – Darrin Verge
Commons Group – Hon David McDonald
Interested but unable to attend:
Dalhousie University – Jenna Hare, Simon Lay, David Scott, Liuqian Yu
University of Southern California – Gustavo Ramirez
Ocean Tracking - Nikki Beauchamp
CaRMS/OBIS Canada – Claude Nozeres
Geological Survey of Canada – Peter Pledge
Ocean Observing Workshop Report – November 13 - 14, 2012 – Dalhousie University, Halifax
Department of National Defense – Dugald Thomson
OCEAN NETWORKS CANADA Staff: Kim Juniper, Richard Dewey, Steve Mihaly, Marjolaine Matabos,
Marlene Jeffries, Ben Biffard, Ellyn Davidson, Leslie Elliott
For presentations and complete notes go to NEPTUNE’s Wiki :
http://wiki.neptunecanada.ca/display/workshop/2012+Dalhousie+Workshop
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Facilitate routine access to raw data from the Barkley Canyon instruments to enable, on multiple time
scales including intermittent events, the piecing together of BBL dynamics, the development of proxies
for suspended sediment and the variability of bed morphology. (AH)
Facilitate the publication of multidisciplinary papers by fostering collaboration through workshops,
assistance in gaining funding for visiting researchers, post-docs, grad students and students. (AH)
Develop data products from acoustic instruments that can easily be utilized by biologists to further their
research independent of acoustic expertise. (AH + SFM)
Set up a Benthic Ecology discussion group on ONC website
Develop labs for secondary and post secondary. Emphasis on general themes not one-offs
FUTURE PLANS
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Consider relocating some instrument pods for limited term experiments (Benthic Team)
Review the potential for expansion on Pod 3 and Pod 4 in terms of communication protocols,
voltage/power and the availability of ports. (NC)
Survey cliff edge coral habitat on upcoming NC cruises. (NC)
Deploy autonomous ADCP at cliff edge, possibly deploy 2 with help from DFO-Atlantic (Len Zedel)
Revive HD (microscope) camera. (NC)
Survey cable route to cliff edge. (NC)
Work on Schmidt cruise planning
o Glider usage
o Current plans are high level, need to map to real addressable science questions
o Work plan for shipboard acoustics
FUNDING
Several future funding possibilities were discussed. Summary below includes initials of interested
participants:
 Interest in developing a proposal to CFI for instrument expansion: acoustic cameras, in situ laser,
scattering transmissometer, holocam. (AH, PS, AM, TR, LZ)
 Industry Partners – NSERC and SHRED(?) make use of ONCEE to put people to process data in
industry post-docs
o NSERC Industry partnering for students and post-docs in sediment dynamics/benthic habitats.
(Ulrich Lobsiger)
 Marine habitat characterization and monitoring
 Taxonomy / DNA work, Guelph Bar Code project collaboration (McGregor GeoScience)
DRAFT Ocean Observing Workshop Report – November 13 - 14, 2012 – Dalhousie University, Halifax
o Fishing trawling industry
o Norteck-Tidal Power
o FORCE Michael Lee $10M from NRCAN for instrument/sensor testing, during testing process
the data.
o ROMOR
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Graduate Students and Post Docs funding possibilities:
o Glider technician: co-fund engineering students (e.g. Bay of Fundy observatory development).
o Sensor development / assessment of sensor performance: FORCE
o MPAs on the west coast – MPAIT (MPA Implementation Team): DFO and BC government,
offshore MPA, Rockfish fishery, Glass sponge reefs.
o Image and Video processing
o Target a NSERC Strategic grant for April 2014 that would include a handful of HQPs; DFO is
an eligible partner for strategic proposals
o Biology departments at Universities and DFO.
Ocean Observing Workshop Report – November 13 - 14, 2012 – Dalhousie University, Halifax