Canada is known for its natural wonders, but some of the most amazing features are kilometres beneath the waves. A 16-day expedition, which launched from Sidney last Wednesday, will shed some light on seamounts: underwater mountains that teem with life.
Scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Haida Nation, Oceana Canada and Ocean Networks Canada are abord the E/V Nautilus, a state-of-the-art research vessel, to collect data on the physical features and ecosystems of these seamounts, which could include cold-water corals and sponges to Bocaccio (rockfish) and killer whales. The expedition is from July 5 to 21.
Robert Rangely, science director with Oceana Canada (a charity dedicated to rebuilding CanadaB次元官网网址檚 fisheries) said these areas are valuable for ocean biodiversity, calling them B次元官网网址渙ases of the seaB次元官网网址� which attract mobile species like rockfish, sablefish, halibut, B次元官网网址渟pecies that people know and are really important, some of which arenB次元官网网址檛 doing so well.B次元官网网址�
Officially dubbed the Northeast Pacific Seamounts Expedition, scientists will explore three seamounts: Sgaan Kinghlas-Bowie, Dellwood and Explorer. They will establish long-term monitoring sites on SGaan Kinghlas-Bowie (already a Marine Protected Area), and for the first time, will use multibeam sonar to map Dellwood and Explorer Seamounts. That baseline data is the first step in potentially designating Dellwood and Explorer as Marine Protected Areas as well. They are in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Pacific Area of Interest, and contain hydrothermal vents and 87 per cent of known seamounts in Canada.
B次元官网网址淭hese are islands of biodiversity in the deep ocean,B次元官网网址� said Kim Juniper, chief scientist with Ocean Networks Canada (a UVic-affiliated not-for-profit that delivers ocean data through cabled observatories, robots and more). Juniper said Canada has an obligation under the Convention on Biological Diversity to set aside 10 per cent of its Exclusive Economic Zone before the end of 2020 as Marine Protected Areas, so the scientists are exploring potential sites to do just that.
B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 decide on boundaries or measures of protection until weB次元官网网址檙e better informed as to whatB次元官网网址檚 there, where the organisms [are], where the biodiversity is concentratedB次元官网网址hatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檙e going to find out,B次元官网网址� said Juniper.
Located 180 kilometres offshore and to the west of Haida Gwaii, SGaan Kinghlas-Bowie Seamount extends 3,000 metres from the surrounding seafloor and reaches to just 24 metres below the seaB次元官网网址檚 surface. Juniper said he was also excited to work with the Haida Nation as partners in the expedition.
The three seamounts will be explored using two remotely operated vehicles, named Hercules and Argus. Argus is equipped with a manipulator arm, vacuum hose, high-definition cameras and other tools to bring samples to the surface and high-quality visuals to scientists and curious people across the globe. The arm is not controlled by a joystick, but rather a miniature version of the arm aboard the ship with all the same joints as the real thing.
Curious Canadians can watch daily livestreams and updates, and ask scientists questions about what they see. Alison Fundis, vice-president of marine operations and programs for Ocean Explorations Trust, said E/V Nautilus is capable of streaming HD video in real time via satellite to viewers on the internet.
B次元官网网址淣ot only will it be really exciting visually, youB次元官网网址檒l get a glimpse of science in action,B次元官网网址� said Rangely.
To view live-streams and for more information, visit protectoceans.ca
