3,000 Days at Sea
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) scientists and their teams do much of their research onboard Canadian Coast Guard vessels. Tallied together, these at-sea science missions total over 3,000 days annually! Watch to learn about their work on the water!
Transcript
Each year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists go to-sea in their search for knowledge...
Canada is a maritime nation - with the world's longest coastline - stretched out as a continuous line, it would circle the Earth more than six times.
We are connected to the oceans, rivers and lakes that are important to our heritage, culture, economy, and essential to all life on the planet.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (or DFO) uses 15 specially equipped Canadian Coast Guard vessels that serve as "floating laboratories", as well as a number of small craft.
Research in the arctic is conducted with icebreakers.
In partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard, our scientists and their teams are able to log over 3,000 days at sea annually - gathering data to support the sustainable development and safe use of our aquatic resources.
DFO research scientists, biologists, and technicians use these vessels as a tool to study and probe the underwater realm - gathering data that could not be obtained by other methods...
There are 3 main streams of the At-Sea Science program:
- Fisheries Science:
Science in support of Canada's commercial fisheries is conducted onboard Coast Guard vessels - equipped with nets and advanced acoustic technology to find, catch, and sample fish to assess and provide advice on the abundance and health of fish populations - informing decisions on catch limits.
- Oceanography:
...monitors and measures the physical processes of the ocean - things like tides, currents, and waves - as well as water chemistry - measuring salinity, pH, and temperature.
Scientists explore and sample the sea bed and use bongo netsto trap and study plankton in the water column.
Oceanographic data is also gathered from tethered buoys at sea; stationary coastal gauges for tides and waves; weather data instruments; floating buoys; and, satellite imagery.
This data helps us understand ocean systems and predict changes in our waters and weather forecasts.
- Hydrography:
...measures the depths, tides, currents and physical features of our navigable waters and adjoining coastal areas... multi-beam sonar technology provides pictures of the underwater seascape.
Hydrographers use this data to create nautical charts, develop tide and current tables, and other advice to mariners for safe navigation and increased understanding of underwater and coastal areas.
Tallied together, these science missions total over 3,000 days at sea annually - helping monitor trends over time to better understand our oceans and freshwater systems.
At-sea science missions support a variety of resource management activities and decisions about fisheries, marine protected areas, species at risk, environmental impact assessments, among others.
Providing the foundation for the management and protection of our aquatic resources, predicting changes in our waters, and ensuring safe navigation and sustainable fisheries for future generations.
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