Integrated ocean mapping technologies

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Oceans are an integral part of Canada's culture, environment, health and economy. There are growing pressures from industries within the ocean sector on marine systems and, therefore, a growing need to develop technologies to help protect the health of our oceans. Many of these industries are associated with, or directly interact with the seafloor environment. Improved sensor technologies to improve the way we can map the seafloor are urgently needed to meet the regulatory requirements of these industries to facilitate their economic growth, while ensuring sustainable resource exploitation and sound environmental stewardship.****The NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Integrated Ocean Mapping Technologies at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) will address the need for better ocean-floor science and applied research. This can benefit industry regionally, and, in doing so, strengthen Canada's economic development in sustainable ocean activity. The work will focus initially on the role that seafloor mapping technologies can play in supporting offshore fisheries. It will centre on multi-beam echo sounder mapping technology and underwater camera systems and platforms for seafloor surveys. Collaborative research will help improve available seafloor sensor technologies, develop new systems, and refine the way that data from complementary sensor systems can be integrated to produce ocean floor maps of benefit to the fishing industry. ****It is anticipated the research will also benefit other regional and national ocean sector industries that depend on integrated ocean mapping technologies to meet their operational requirements, such as the offshore oil and gas, tidal energy, and aquaculture fields. Ultimately, the Chair will provide a local focus of expertise at NSCC in integrated mapping technologies, providing research support to local ocean sector companies operating in Atlantic Canada, with potential long-term benefits to the region and Canadian economy overall.**************