Turn off accessible linear format and redisplay the web page in it's original layout. Oceans Science
With the world's longest coastline, and ocean-based industries generating $20-billion a year and providing 750,000 part and full-time jobs, Canada is defined by the sea. But it's a relationship that's facing enormous change.
In 2004, for the first time the value of Atlantic Canada's offshore oil and gas revenues exceeded that of its fisheries. With global warming, the famed Northwest Passage could soon become a navigable waterway. And Canada's aquaculture industry is playing a growing role in providing a sustainable fishery.
What links these and a range of other issues is that they require new science about Earth's final frontier: the oceans. With this in mind, the Government of Canada has identified oceans science as a top priority for integrated science and technology.
At the center of a comprehensive approach to marine issues is the emerging Oceans Action Plan. Led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) the plan involves about 20 federal departments and agencies and addresses four key areas, all of which rely heavily on a diverse range of ocean sciences.
The sustainability of Canada's ocean activities is one focus of the Oceans Management Research Network, a federally funded national forum designed to facilitate research and communication on oceans issues by scientists, ocean users and community groups.
Protecting the health of the oceans depends on understanding them. The VENUS project, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, is an unprecedented seafloor observatory in the Georgia Basin off the coast of British Columbia. It's providing scientists with the first real-time information on everything from fish migrations to geologic events.
What's the future of Canada's ocean-based industries, from shipbuilding to oil and gas exploration? The National Research Council-led Marine and Ocean Industry Technology Roadmap is harnessing public and private-sector innovation and technology to make Canada an internationally recognized centre for marine and ocean industry technologies.
Science Issues / Oceans Science /
Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
What is remote sensing? Remote sensing is the science (and to some extent, art) of acquiring information about the Earth's surface without actually being in contact with it.
Birds Oiled at Sea
Learn about the fatal effects of oil pollution on seabirds, through text, images and video.
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Review the activities of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, whose mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.
Canada's Oceans Strategy
Learn about the strategy that strives to establish a balance between the use of ocean resources and the well-being of the marine environment. Use the form provided to express your thoughts on these issues.
Canadian Hydrographic Service
Link to the Canadian Hydrographic Service for information on tides, fishing, recreation boating, commercial shipping and more.
Canadian Waters – Big Blue Bus Kids Corner
Kids, take a ride on the Big Blue Bus to find contests, games, facts, and more on oceans and many other things watery!
CoastWeb
Visit CoastWeb to find coastal research by the Geological Survey of Canada, including information about sea level change, storm impact and coastal mapping.
Defence R&D Canada – Atlantic – Research and Technologies
Read about research areas of Defence Research and Development Canada, Atlantic, including underwater sensing and countermeasures as well as shipboard command and control.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science
Explore scientific research on such topics as oceanography, aquaculture, fisheries and hydrography.
Geoscience for Oceans Management
Learn about the program that delivers the geoscience knowledgebase to manage Canada's offshore lands.
NRC Institute for Marine Biosciences
Learn about the Institute for Marine Biosciences, an integrated systems biology institute with the capability to study life from the level of the genome to the whole organism.
NRC Institute for Ocean Technology
Explore the Institute for Ocean Technology (IOT), which provides technical expertise in support of Canada's ocean technology industries.
Ocean Management Research Network (OMRN)
Learn about the network that creates and shares knowledge for the application of critical thinking and best practices to oceans management in Canada.
Technology Roadmap
Access a document that is used as a forecasting tool in the marine and ocean industry to identify future market needs and develop strategic technologies.
Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea
Travel to the bottom of the sea to find out about coastal oceanography with VENUS, the Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea.
