New Funding Propels UVic's World-Leading Ocean Observatory Into The Future

Completion of the world’s largest deep-sea tsunami array, new instruments to improve marine safety in the Strait of Georgia, and the first subsea instrument platform in the Arctic—these are three exciting developments underway at the University of Victoria’s world–leading Ocean Networks Canada Observatory.

Today, the governments of Canada and British Columbia announced a total of $41.7 million in new funding to support the operating costs of the observatory, which is managed for the University of Victoria by the not-for-profit organization, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC).

The funding is awarded through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiatives Fund, which supports a portion of the operating costs of selected big science projects across Canada. Of the total, CFI is contributing $32.8 million and the BC government, $8.9 million.

“UVic is extremely grateful to the governments of Canada and British Columbia for their commitment and support of major science,” says UVic President David Turpin. “This investment ensures that the Ocean Networks Canada Observatory—the VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada subsea networks—remains a leader in global ocean research.”

The ONC Observatory pioneers a new generation of advanced ocean observation systems that, using power and the Internet, provide continuous, 24/7 monitoring of ocean processes and events, as they happen.

“The significance of this funding support cannot be overstated," says Dr. Kate Moran, president and CEO of Ocean Networks Canada. “ It enables Canada to maintain global leadership in cabled ocean observatory technology and research while playing a major role in understanding our oceans in an era of significant change.”

Development of the ONC Observatory to date has been made possible with capital funding from the Government of Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, CANARIE and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council, and from the Government of British Columbia through the BC Knowledge Development Fund.

To find out more about the ONC Observatory http://communications.uvic.ca/releases/release.php?display=back&id=196

For more information on today’s federal funding announcement http://www.innovation.ca/en/Media/News/GovernmentCanadaInvests32MillioninOceanScience

For more information on today’s BC funding announcement http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012AEIT0006-001493.htm
 

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