Dartmouth, NS Firm Develops Timely Technology to Predict Weather Patterns

(January 28, 2005 – Dartmouth, NS) – The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council (NRC), today announced that METOCEAN Data Systems Limited of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia has been recognized by the NRC as a Canadian Innovation Leader and a role model for technology-based innovation.

"Through the Canadian Innovation Leaders initiative, NRC is celebrating entrepreneurs and innovators who are creating jobs and helping all of Canada benefit from investments in research and development," said Minister Emerson.

Minister Emerson made the announcement at the Dartmouth offices of METOCEAN Data Systems Limited, a manufacturing and development company with niche markets around the world in oceanography, meteorology, defence, and coastal environments.

"NRC is delighted to celebrate the achievements of companies like METOCEAN that exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in Atlantic Canada," said Dr. Michael Raymont, President, (Acting) NRC.

METOCEAN's most recent development is a "profiling autonomous float" that can measure the temperature and salinity of oceans. Scientists and oceanographers can use this data to predict long-term changes in the earth's climate. It can also serve as an early warning system for global patterns of rainfall, winds, storms and atmospheric circulation.

"The support we received from NRC-IRAP allowed METOCEAN to carry out the required research and development to produce subsurface, profiling floats, and to be a major supplier on the world market," said Bernie Petolas, P.Eng., Vice President of METOCEAN. "Without NRC-IRAP, this project would not have been completed in time to meet the market demand for these oceanographic instruments."

The Canadian Innovation Leader initiative celebrates the successes of innovative Canadian firms identified by the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), Canada's premier innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which collaborates with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Industry Canada, and other organizations across Canada.

Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology.

For more information, please consult our Web site:
http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/english/innovation/metocean_e.html 

For more information, please visit the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or contact:

Dominique Guérin-Garnett
Head, Communications, NRC-IRAP
(613) 991-5367

Suzie Keténé
Atlantic & Nunavut Communications, NRC-IRAP
(902) 426-8961
suzie.ketene@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Stéphanie Leblanc
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
613) 995-9001

Pierre Naud
Media relations officer, NRC
(613) 990-6091
pierre.naud@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca