YEARS OF OCEAN INTELLIGENCE - 2021 CALENDAR - Ocean Networks Canada
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YEARS
OF OCEAN INTELLIGENCE
a university of victoria initiative 2021 CALENDAR
15 YEARS OF OCEAN INTELLIGENCE
In the late 90s, scientists had a big idea to use telecommunication cables to Internet-
connect the entire Juan de Fuca tectonic plate off the west coast of North America,
allowing the collection of an unprecedented volume of data over space and time.
Fast forward 15 years to 2020 when Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is operating
almost 9,000 sensors on all three of Canada’s coasts, 24/7/365. Every day, 280
gigabytes of data are added to a rich and diverse archive of over 1,000 terabytes,
2006 and made freely available on ONC’s Oceans 2.0 data portal.
Bringing data to the surface equips over 19,000 users around the world,
from researchers to policy-makers to coastal communities and international
governments, with ocean intelligence to #knowtheocean.
2006 2007–2008
First seafloor observatory is installed Additional networks are installed in
in Vancouver Island’s Saanich the Strait of Georgia, a busy shipping
Inlet—a deep glacial fjord with route and home to endangered
seasonally varying oxygen levels. southern resident killer whales.
2012 2011 2010 2009
First community-based observatory is First land-based coastal radar is Canada’s first marine protected A 800-km deep-sea network
installed at Cambridge Bay, Nunavut installed in the Strait of Georgia area is instrumented to is installed from Canada’s
to monitor changing ocean and sea to measure ocean current speeds understand life, vent flow, west coast to the outer edge
ice conditions in this remote and and direction, and first BC Ferries earthquakes and more at the 350 of a tectonic plate, reaching a
vulnerable arctic environment. vessel continuously monitors degree hydrothermal vents. depth of 2.6 km.
ocean surface properties.
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
AML Oceanographic of BC ONC hosts Atlantic Ocean data An underwater listening 18 kilometres of cable extensions A cabled mooring is
demonstrates a new commercial on behalf of a Bay of Fundy station is installed in the triple the sensor capacity at installed to monitor ocean
UV-based anti-biofouling system tidal energy facility; in 2019, Strait of Georgia to monitor Endeavour; community observatories acidification in Baynes
on ONC’s network, resulting in adds data from the mouth of the impact of shipping on are installed in Tofino, Campbell River, Sound where over 50% of
global sales. the Saint Lawrence River. marine mammals. Kitamaat Village and Prince Rupert. BC’s shellfish are farmed.
2021
2020 2019 2018
Community observatories are Specialized instruments arrays The final of eight earthquake early
installed in Burrard Inlet, Hartley are installed on ONC’s deep- warning sensors is installed on
Bay and China Creek; a new sea network to explore the the Cascadia subduction zone; an
hydrophone array is installed in potential for a full-scale neutrino autonomous mooring is installed
the Strait of Georgia. observatory at Cascadia Basin. on the Dellwood Seamount.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Dinner plate jellyfish
This dinner plate jellyfish (Solmissus) was spotted near
Cascadia Basin at a depth of 1220 m. The species is usually
JANUARY 2021
found in deep waters and is unique in that it actively hunts for
prey as opposed to passively waiting for plankton to pass by.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
NEW YEAR’S DAY
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY (U.S.)
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Hushed seas: monitoring underwater noise during COVID-19
When the coronavirus put the world on lockdown, David Barclay used ONC’s real-time
hydrophone network to study changes in Pacific Ocean underwater noise. Conducted
remotely from Nova Scotia, his research revealed a 20% drop in cargo traffic and up to
100% reduction in cruise ships and recreational activities.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Brisingid starfish
This large brisingid starfish was observed living in the rocky terrain
of Endeavour Ridge. Some of the world’s deepest starfish are
FEBRUARY 2021
brisingids, which have been observed at depths of up to 5000 m.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
CHINESE NEW YEAR
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
PRESIDENTS’ DAY (U.S.)
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 1 2 3 4 5 6
Decreasing oxygen in the NE Pacific
Marine life needs oxygen to survive, but our changing climate is contributing to oxygen
depletion from our global ocean. The west coast of North America is a hot spot for
studying expanding hypoxia, water that has insufficient oxygen to support life.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Nudibranch
This beautiful nudibranch was observed on the seabed in
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Nudibranch occur in seas worldwide,
MARCH 2021
ranging from the Arctic, through temperate and tropical regions
and to the southern ocean around Antarctica.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
28 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
VERNAL EQUINOX
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
Delta dynamics laboratory measures underwater landslides
This unique platform collects long-term data on shifting sediments at the mouth
of the Fraser River, near Vancouver. These data inform scientists’ understanding of
slope stability, underwater landslides and their effect on the region’s busy coastal
waterways and densely populated communities.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Orange pink coral
This brightly coloured, deep-sea coral was observed growing
on volcanic rock during ONC’s cable route survey between
APRIL 2021
Main Endeavour vent field and Endeavour node.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
GOOD FRIDAY
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
EASTER EASTER MONDAY
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 1
Crime scene investigation Salish Sea
A pig carcass placed in front of ONC’s deep-sea cameras provided the first real-time
scientific observation of how a body decomposes in the ocean. The forensic research
helped to solve the mystery of the severed human feet that washed ashore on BC
beaches between 2007-2011.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Deep-sea urchin and brittle stars
This deep-sea urchin (Echinothuroida) was observed at a depth of
2230 m. Unlike urchins along the shore, this species’ body shape,
MAY 2021
suspended by water pressure, doesn’t have a hard skeleton.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
25 26 27 28 29 30 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
VICTORIA DAY (CANADA)
30 MEMORIAL DAY (U.S.) 31
Deep-sea crawler Wally monitors gas hydrate deposits
Designed and operated remotely from Germany, Wally gathers data on gas hydrate
outcrops at Barkley Canyon. Locked beneath the seafloor along the world’s continental
margins, ice-like methane deposits—or hydrates—are a potential energy source and
greenhouse gas, possibly contributing to climate change if released into the atmosphere.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Tubeworms
These tubeworms (Ridgeia piscesae) were spotted at the Endeavour
hydrothermal vent field on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. With neither light
JUNE 2021
nor oxygen, tubeworms thrive on sulphurous bacteria in water reaching
temperatures of 350 degrees at a depth of 2.1 km.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
30 31 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
SUMMER SOLSTICE
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
27 28 29 30 1 2 3
Monitoring Canada’s first marine protected area
Offering insight into the origins of life on Earth, Endeavour Hydrothermal vent
field’s 350 degree hot smokers are located on an actively spreading mid-ocean
ridge (depth 2190 m). Real-time sensors, including France’s tempo-mini platform
that’s equipped with live cameras, allow scientists to monitor vent flow, circulation,
seismic activity and marine life.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Rose star
This colourful rose star (Crossaster papposus) was spotted
on the seabed in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Given their
JULY 2021
wide diversity in colour and pattern, they are sometimes
referred to as snowflake stars, suggesting no two are alike.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
27 28 29 30 1 2 3
CANADA DAY
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
INDEPENDENCE DAY (U.S.)
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Monitoring earthquakes and tsunamis for community resilience
ONC’s real-time observations of earthquake shaking and tsunami wave heights
across the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate are the first step in supporting official alerts
and warnings. By integrating high-tech monitoring, real-time data and detailed
geographic mapping into models for public safety, ONC supports tsunami resilience
in at-risk coastal communities.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Helmet jellyfish
This helmet jellyfish (Periphylla periphylla) was spotted in front
of the ROPOS deck in the Cascadia Basin. This species, found
AUGUST 2021
in depths up to 7000 m, primarily feeds at night when it swims
close to the surface to access its food, zooplankton.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CIVIC HOLIDAY (CANADA)
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
Arctic observatory inspires local youth science ambassador
Deployed in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut in 2012, ONC’s arctic community observatory
inspired 15-year-old Mia Otokiak to get involved and learn more about the ocean
around her tiny hamlet. Mia led a snow-monitoring program, mentored other students
and guided community events before pursuing a science career.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Deep-sea octopus
This deep-sea octopus (Muusoctopus canthylus) is
next to an unidentified artifact on the rocky seafloor
SEPTEMBER 2021
near the Endeavour hydrothermal vent fields.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
LABOUR DAY (CANADA & U.S.)
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
AUTUMNAL EQUINOX
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
Partnering with BC Ferries to monitor the Strait of Georgia
With ocean monitoring instruments onboard three BC Ferries, ONC is continuously
collecting ocean data in the Strait of Georgia’s busy waterway. Sensors embedded
in the hull and a weather station on deck help scientists measure plankton, a crucial
food source for many aquatic animals, including southern resident killer whales.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Shorthorn arctic sculpin
Fish like this shorthorn arctic sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius),
spotted in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, survive in icy waters by creating
OCTOBER 2021
antifreeze proteins, allowing them to resist temperatures as low as -2.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
THANKSGIVING (CANADA)
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Teen citizen scientist makes a scientific discovery
A 14-year-old, aspiring marine biologist from the Ukraine, Kirill Dudko, was watching ONC’s
underwater cameras when he spotted the snout of a large creature swallowing a hagfish,
the first evidence that northern elephant seals dive and hunt as deep as 894 m.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Atolla jellyfish
This Atolla jellyfish (Atolla wyvillei), spotted in the water
column above Endeavour at 1970 m, is sometimes called the
NOVEMBER 2021
“alarm jellyfish” because it emits bioluminescent flashes as a
defensive mechanism in its deep-sea environment.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
REMEMBRANCE DAY (CANADA)
VETERANS’ DAY (U.S.)
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
THANKSGIVING (U.S.)
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
Using listening stations to study the impact of ship noise on whales
In 2015, ONC’s first hydrophone listening station was installed in the Strait of Georgia’s
busy shipping lane to monitor underwater vessel noise, a key threat to endangered
southern resident killer whales. Canada’s Ocean Protection Plan has since supported
additional hydrophone networks in BC’s coastal waters.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Deep-sea skate
This deep-sea skate (Bathyraja abyssicola) was
caught flying past ONC’s trawl resistant frame at
DECEMBER 2021
Endeavour at a depth of 2321 m.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
WINTER SOLSTICE
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE CHRISTMAS DAY
26 27 28 29 30 31 1
BOXING DAY
Vancouver’s Canada Line simulates an earthquake early warning
Following the installation of earthquake early warning sensors on the Cascadia subduction
zone, ONC partnered with potential end users. Simulation exercises were conducted on
Vancouver’s Canada Line rapid transit system to demonstrate how ONC’s network of
sensors would help them respond to emergencies caused by a megathrust earthquake.White-spotted rose anemone
This white-spotted rose anemone (Urticina
lofotensis) has pulled in its tentacles.
JANUARY 2022
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
26 27 28 29 30 31 1
NEW YEAR’S DAY
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY (U.S.)
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
Monitoring Canada’s $20M shellfish industry
Oysters are Canada’s second most valuable aquaculture species, with BC the largest
producer in the country. A community observatory in Baynes Sound allows real-time
monitoring of increasing ocean acidity, which threatens the survival of oysters and
other shellfish by inhibiting shell formation.Spider crab
This deep-sea spider crab (Macroregonia
macrochira) was spotted near Endeavour.
FEBRUARY 2022
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
30 31 1 2 3 4 5
CHINESE NEW YEAR
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
PRESIDENTS’ DAY (U.S.)
27 28 1 2 3 4 5
Discovering and protecting seamounts in the NE Pacific
Seamounts, or underwater mountains, provide deep-sea nurseries that are vital in
maintaining biodiversity and ocean health. In 2018, Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
the Haida Nation, Oceana Canada and ONC worked together to explore, map and
document these diverse ecosystems for long-term monitoring and protection.Giant plumose anemone
This giant plumose anemone (Metridium farcimen), spotted at
Folger Passage, can grow to a height of 1 m. They primarily feed on
MARCH 2022
zooplankton, using their stinging tentacles to catch their prey.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
27 28 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
VERNAL EQUINOX
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
Pacific Ocean neutrino experiment (P-ONE)
Neutrinos are the key to exploring the universe. An international team is investigating
ONC’s deepest site, Cascadia Basin, as the next site for a large-scale neutrino telescope.
Once complete, the Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment will consist of a cubic-kilometer
scale detector with thousands of light sensors.LOOKING TO 2030 Given the impacts of climate change, the most profound and impactful issue of our time, understanding our changing ocean and coastline has never been more important. The United Nations General Assembly recently proclaimed 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development to generate the knowledge, data, science infrastructure and partnerships needed to inform policies to protect and sustain healthy oceans. Over the next decade, ONC will launch world-leading, next-generation physical and digital infrastructure, provide data services and foster partnerships for a bright ocean future and a resilient planet. Join us in our endeavour to understand our changing ocean and to protect and enhance life on Earth.
15 YEARS OF OCEAN INTELLIGENCE
As a world leader in ocean observing technology and data, ONC empowers
people by giving them knowledge about our rapidly changing ocean.
Monitoring the west and east coasts of Canada and the Arctic, ONC’s real-
time, continuous, open data supports scientific discovery and informed
decision-making. By bringing ocean data to the surface, ONC provides
ocean intelligence to coastal communities, researchers, policy makers and
governments.
Dedicated to diversity, collaboration and innovation to #knowtheocean, we
act with respect, commitment and integrity while reaching towards our vision:
To enhance life on Earth by providing knowledge and leadership that deliver
solutions for science, society and industry.
ONC is primarily funded by: the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Government of Canada,
University of Victoria, Government of British Columbia and CANARIE.
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