Catalyzing a Canada - Chile coastal ocean research network

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The coastal fjords of British Columbia and Chile are remarkably similar in many aspects, and face similar environmental pressures, including ocean deoxygenation, acidification and seismic risks. Predicting these ocean hazards and identifying appropriate mitigating actions is critical to the effective management of marine resources and the safety of coastal communities. Comparative studies using natural laboratories in coastal BC and Chile provide a powerful tool to better understand the oceanographic and geophysical processes affecting both regions. In this proposal, funds are requested to support a collaborative research exchange between BC and Chile for a group of Canadian university professors, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. These individuals will spend two weeks at a coastal research station in central Patagonia, working with their Chilean counterparts to conduct preliminary field research and explore broader opportunities for collaboration on critical research questions of relevance to Canada and Chile. The exploratory research will be conducted using advanced ocean sensors and data analysis tools, with the goal of framing a larger bilateral research agenda to better understand and predict ocean hazards along the Pacific Rim. This work will enhance the global leadership and impact of Canadian marine research, and help create a new inter-hemispheric network of natural coastal laboratories. The proposed exchange visit will significantly amplify a large Canadian training program, providing an immersive, inter-disciplinary and cross-cultural learning environment for a diverse group of Canadian graduate students and postdocs.