5th Trans-Atlantic Seabed Mapping Survey
On July 22, 2016, the Atlantic
Ocean Research Alliance launched the 5th Trans-Atlantic seabed mapping survey. These surveys support the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation, the goals of which are to join resources of its three signatories to better understand the North Atlantic Ocean, to promote sustainable management of its resources, and to promote citizens' understanding of the Atlantic through ocean literacy.
The expedition, which will take place from July 22 to August 2 on board the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent, will map the seafloor between Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and Tromso, Norway.
The Science Team will be led by Paola Travaglini of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Hydrographic Service. The team will use state-of-the-art deep-water multibeam sonar technology to survey the seabed, and study the physical characteristics of the seafloor as well as other oceanographic data such as temperature, and salinity to better characterize little known areas of the North Atlantic Ocean and build on the work done in July 2015.
Participation will include Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Hydrographic Service, the University of New Hampshire's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping Joint Hydrographic Center and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Students and early career scientists representing Canada and the United States sailing on board CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent are writing daily web logs to chronical the mission. Follow along here to read about updates and reflections on their experiences, the science, technology, and other elements of the expedition as we continue to celebrate OUR SHARED ATLANTIC RESOURCE.
Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance July 2016 Expedition Team in the image above (from left to right):
• David Thornhill, Hydrographer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Hydrographer Service
• Danielle Roche, Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Darren Hiltz, Hydrographer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Hydrographer Service
• Elizabeth Weindren, University of New Hampshire's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping Joint Hydrographic Center Fisheries
• Chris Hemmingway, National Director of UNCLOS, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Hydrographer Service
• David Levy, Electrical Technician, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Hydrographer Service
• Paola Travaglini, Hydrographer–In–Charge, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Hydrographer Service
Notes to editors
About the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Cordination and Support Action
The Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action (AORA-CSA) aims to support the implementation of the Galway Statement.
The Galway Statement, signed at the Marine Institute Galway 24th May 2013, established a formal Atlantic Ocean Research Cooperation between the European Union, its Member States, the United States of America and Canada and partner countries that builds on existing initiatives and programmes to increase coherence and coordination of ocean research cooperation.
The following priority research areas adopted by the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance were identified in the Galway Statement:
• Marine ecosystem-approach
• Observing systems
• Marine biotechnology
• Aquaculture
• Ocean literacy - engaging with society
• Seabed and benthic habitat mapping
Objectives of the AORA-CSA:
• Implementation of the Galway Statement and support Atlantic Ocean Cooperation.
• Improvement in the international cooperation framework of marine research programmes - creating the basis for the development of future large-scale joint international marine research programmes.
• Establishment of a long term knowledge sharing platform for easy access to available information and data holding international research significance for Ocean Management.
For more information see www.atlanticresource.org