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Community Hydrography

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About Community Hydrography

An initiative under the Government of Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, Community Hydrography is a 5-year (2022 to 2027) program supporting coastal communities to collect and use bathymetric data and information for their own community purposes. Bathymetry is the measurement of the depth of water in oceans, rivers and lakes. Bathymetric data can help to improve marine safety, community planning, identification of undersea hazards and sensitive marine environments, as well as fishing and harvesting.

Hydrography is the science that measures, describes and charts the physical features of water bodies.

How it works

Here are 2 of the ways that communities can participate in the program:

Visit our Ecosystems and Oceans Science Contribution Framework for more information on Community Hydrography funding opportunities.

Principles

The Community Hydrography program and its selection criteria are guided by the following principles:

Projects

Discover the projects that have been funded through the Community Hydrography Program.

Description Time frame Funding amount

Bathymetry and hydrographic data collection in support of Ecosystem Knowledge in Areas of Importance to the Miawpukek First Nations

Recipient: Mi'kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association Inc.

Project objective: To conduct bathymetric data and hydrographic data collection to map the seafloor to support of marine safety, identify culturally and ecologically important species and habitats, identify eelgrass beds, and retrieve ghost gear, amongst other community priorities.

2023-2024 $100,000

Bathymetry and hydrographic data collection in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut – Kinngait

Recipient: Qikiqtaaluk Corporation

Project objective: To work with Hunters and Trappers Associations from selected communities to provide the technology and training needed to collect and use bathymetric and hydrographic data from local vessels. This data can be used for community purposes such as hunting, fishing and infrastructure planning.

2023-2024 $100,000

Community Driven Bathymetric Mapping in Tuktoyaktuk

Recipient: Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee (THTC)

Project objective: To conduct bathymetric data and hydrographic data collection to advance understanding of critical marine fish and whale habitat as well as to increase the safety of mariners in the Tuktoyaktuk area.

2023-2025 $100,000

Hydrographic Field Operations training course: A Complex Multidisciplinary Field Project (CMFP) focused on multibeam sonar operations

Recipient: University of New-Brunswick

Project objective: To support hydrography students training, including:

  • Hands-on Multibeam data collection
  • Introduction to working in or near Indigenous Peoples’ traditional territory
  • Knowledge of data sharing with First Nations including traditional knowledge.
2023-2024 $41,159

Contact us

Contact the Canadian Hydrographic Service for more information on the program.

DFO.CommunityHydrography-HydrographieCommunautaire.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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