Vancouver, BC. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada will conduct deep sea biological
and geological research at the Endeavour Hot Vents Area, in partnership with the
universities of Washington, Victoria, Montreal, Toronto and New Brunswick July 15 to July
22.This fascinating and ambitious eight-day expedition to one of Canada’s pilot
marine protected areas, located 260 km southwest of Vancouver Island, uses the Canadian
remote operated vehicle (ROPOS) on board the research vessel Thomas G Thompson.
Work focuses on habitat mapping, biodiversity sampling, photographic recording and
geological sampling.
Endeavour hot vents consist of superheated black smokers, tall chimney-like structures
and other surrounding volcanic features. They foster numerous unique species of animals,
many the first in the world to be identified, and 12 that do not exist anywhere else.
"Our primary goal is to collect samples to expand the biodiversity and geological
inventory of the area and to acquire high quality imagery for public education," said
Brian Smiley, Fisheries and Oceans Aquatic Assessment Section Head in the Pacific Region
and one of the project coordinators.
Smiley and other Canadian scientists will join the expedition on July 15 from Astoria,
Oregon. Dr. Kim Juniper of the Université du Québec a Montréal will oversee the
Canadian component of the sea-going operation. In addition, a science teacher from St.
Michael’s Academy in Victoria will be on board as part of the Research and Education:
Volcanoes, Exploration and Life (REVEL) educational outreach program
"The video, sonar and stereo photographic images we take, along with our species
collection and habitat information, will add considerable information to a mission
database assembled during and after the dives," said Smiley.
Work will focus on the lesser-known High Rise vent field that has the tallest active
hydrothermal edifices known in today’s oceans. About five kilometres north of the
Main Endeavour Field, some of these structures rise vertically over 40 metres.
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Anderson designated the Endeavour Hot Vents Area as one
of four Pacific Region Pilot Marine Protected Areas on December 8, 1998. The pilots
provide an opportunity to identify, assess, designate and manage Marine Protected Areas.
Once designated, Marine Protected Areas will conserve and protect the ecological integrity
of important or unique marine ecosystems, species and habitats, and foster related
research and education.
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For further information:
John Pringle
Head, Marine Environment and Habitat Science Division
Science Branch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
250-363-6335
ROPOS – www.ropos.com
ENDEAVOUR – www.er.ugam.ca/nobel/oasis/FRSETRII_A.htm
REVEL– www.ocean.washington.edu/outreach/revel
(updated daily during mission)
PILOT MPAs – www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/mpa/pilots
POST MISSION: http://www.er.uqam.ca/nobel/oasis/FPAGE.htm
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