The importance of understanding ocean processes and biodiversity during this time of extreme environmental change is unprecedented. This project will develop, deploy and integrate novel and near-real-time technologies to fill critical knowledge gaps and transform ocean observation, merging expertise across disciplines to develop innovative sensors, energy-efficient communication, and cooperative and autonomous multi-purpose platforms. These elements will be integrated to assess impacts of offshore development through digital twin modelling. New approaches will also be developed to better characterize population abundances and distributions through the incorporation of Indigenous-led research.

• Develop novel sensors and living (animal oceanographers)/non-living (robotic underwater and surface) platforms that provide efficient data collection and new in-situ measurement possibilities;
• Establish an integrated marine-air-ground network to support data transmissions;
• Develop a real-time data interaction system for effective ocean observation, forecast, and mitigation to be conducted by stakeholders.

Dr. Mae Seto
Professor, Dalhousie University
Email: mz715250@cs.dal.ca

Dr. Vincent Sieben
Professor, Dalhousie University
Email: sieben@dal.ca

Dr. Sara Iverson
Professor Emeritus, Dalhousie University
Email: sara.iverson@dal.ca