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Ocean Engineer to Head UVic's NEPTUNE Canada

Overview

**NEWS RELEASE**
September 1, 2011 The new director of the NEPTUNE Canada ocean network is Dr. Kate Moran, a world-renowned ocean engineer who is completing a two-year term as assistant director in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in Washington, DC. NEPTUNE Canada is the world’s largest and most advanced cabled ocean network. It and the VENUS coastal network make up the University of Victoria’s ONC Observatory, which is managed for the university by Ocean Networks Canada (ONC). “We are delighted to attract someone of Kate’s international calibre,” says Dr. Martin Taylor, ONC President and CEO. “She brings to NEPTUNE Canada a wealth of international experience through her engagement with the International Ocean Drilling Program and her leadership as chief scientist on many major research cruises and expeditions.” In her White House role, Moran advised the Obama administration on the oceans, the Arctic and global warming. She was seconded to the position from a faculty appointment at the University of Rhode Island where she was a professor of oceanography and associate dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography. “Earth observation networks are critical for understanding the Earth system, particularly in the oceans as they become further impacted by climate change and in seismically active areas, such as Canada's west coast,” says Moran. “I am excited about joining an extraordinary team that not only had the vision, but also the collective abilities to build the world’s first deep ocean cabled network.” Moran holds degrees in marine science and engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Rhode Island and Dalhousie University. Her research focuses on marine geotechnics and its application to the study of paleoceanography, tectonics and seafloor stability. She has authored more than 45 publications. Moran has led several major oceanographic expeditions, including the first drilling expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 2004. The following year she led the first expedition to find the source of the earthquake that caused the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. She has also made major contributions to the assessment of hazards in Canada’s offshore regions. Moran starts her five-year term with NEPTUNE Canada in September. She succeeds founding director Dr. Chris Barnes, who retired on June 30. NEPTUNE Canada and its coastal sister network, VENUS, pioneer a new generation of ocean observation systems that, using power and the Internet, provides continuous, long-term monitoring of ocean processes and events, as they happen.

Leadership Transition at Ocean Networks Canada

Overview

**NEWS RELEASE** The Board of Directors of Ocean Networks Canada has announced that Dr. Kate Moran will succeed founding president and CEO Dr. Martin Taylor as head of Ocean Networks Canada, effective July 1, 2012. From Dr. Andrew Bjerring, Chair of Ocean Networks Canada’s Board of Directors: > “Throughout his five years of leadership at Ocean Networks Canada, Martin Taylor has overseen the growth of the Observatory and played a key role in expanding its reputation as a major international ocean research facility. He has been a vital force in securing funding to sustain and expand the Observatory, while promoting its innovative technology and the importance of oceans research to scientists, institutions, and governments around the world.” Dr. Martin Taylor: > “Creating ONC in 2007 was the right decision at the right time as the ONC Observatory moved into full scale operation as one of Canada’s major science facilities. It’s been a privilege and pleasure for me to work with such a talented and dedicated team at all levels in the organization, and to see us sustain our success and increasingly fulfill our mission of enabling transformative ocean science and technology nationally and internationally. I hand over the reins to Kate Moran with every confidence that ONC will be all the more successful in the years ahead under her leadership.” Previously the director of NEPTUNE Canada, Dr. Moran brings a history of leadership in marine research and oceanographic education as well as senior-level policy advice to the Obama Administration on the Arctic, global warming and the oceans. Dr. Kate Moran: > "Ocean Networks Canada is internationally recognized for its ground-breaking work as the world's largest undersea cabled observatory. I feel privileged to follow MartinTaylor and his accomplishments in pioneering this new generation of ocean observing systems, and also to continue working with the superbly capable staffs of VENUS and NEPTUNE." Dr. Andrew Bjerring: > "The Board of Directors is confident that Kate Moran will build upon the successes of our founding president. Over the next five years, we look forward to working with her to continue to position Ocean Networks Canada at the forefront of ocean discovery and technological innovation.” University of Victoria news release:
[Ocean Engineer Heads UVic’s World-leading Ocean Observatory Initiative](http://communications.uvic.ca/releases/release.php?display=release&id=1319)

Funding boost helps advance ocean intelligence

Overview

NEWS RELEASE ![STRAW.jpg](https://cdn.onc-prod.intergalactic.space/STRAW_c816d70826.jpg) Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) will receive a $7.2 million boost to advance its ocean observatory science and technology activities, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announced today. The additional investment will ensure that ONC, a University of Victoria initiative, continues its long-term real-time ocean observing and delivery of data products for ocean health and public safety. “This investment in science supports Ocean Networks Canada’s world-leading ocean observing infrastructure, bringing data to the surface to share openly over the Internet, supporting research and informing decision-making at this crucial time,” says ONC president/CEO Kate Moran. ONC’s ocean observatories stream live data 24/7 from all three Canadian coasts to researchers across the country and around the world to study everything from ocean and climate change, to earthquakes and tsunamis, to deep-sea ecosystems and marine biodiversity. In 2017, [CFI provided ONC with $46.6 million over five years](https://www.oceannetworks.ca/news-and-stories/stories/federal-funding-secures-onc-as-a-world-leader-in-ocean-science-and-technology/) through the Canadian government’s Major Science Initiatives Fund, which supports the operating and maintenance costs of select major science facilities across Canada. “As one of CFI’s Major Science Initiatives, ONC is thrilled that our federal government has fully embraced recommendations made in the independent fundamental science review report,” Moran says. Read the [CFI release](https://www.innovation.ca/). **Media contacts:**
ONC Media Relations at onc-comms@uvic.ca **About Ocean Networks Canada:**
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), a University of Victoria initiatve, monitors the west and east coasts of Canada and the Arctic to continuously deliver data in real-time for scientific research that helps communities, governments and industry make informed decisions about our future. Using cabled observatories, remote control systems and interactive sensors, and big data management, ONC enables evidence-based decision-making on ocean management, marine safety and environmental protection. ONC also works in collaboration with educators, students, communities and Indigenous peoples on ocean monitoring initiatives along BC’s coast and in the Arctic.

Rock solid climate solutions: Negative emissions technology

Overview

NEWS RELEASE

Marine Institute launches underwater ocean observatory in Conception Bay

Overview

MARINE INSTITUTE OF MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY NEWS RELEASE
March 10, 2021 The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University and partner, the University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada, installed a seafloor observatory in Conception Bay last month to enable real-time monitoring of oceanographic conditions and marine life. Equipped with specialized instrumentation, the $750,000 observatory monitors currents, waves, water temperature, salinity and underwater sounds. It also features a high-resolution camera developed by [SubC Imaging](https://www.subcimaging.com/) of Newfoundland and Labrador to collect time-lapse video of nearby flora and fauna. Located four kilometres north of the Marine Institute’s (MI) Holyrood marine base, the observatory sits in 85 metres of water and sends real-time data via a seafloor, fibre-optic cable. The observatory is expandable and will also serve as a development, testing and demonstration facility for subsea instrumentation operating in harsh environments. The cabled observatory was designed and built by Ocean Networks Canada (ONC). ONC monitors the west and east coasts of Canada and the Arctic to continuously deliver data in real-time for scientific research that helps communities, governments and industry make informed decisions. The [Marine Institute](https://www.mi.mun.ca/) (MI) is an associate member of the ocean observation network. # Year-round monitoring Dr. [Katleen Robert](https://www.mi.mun.ca/departments/officeofresearchanddevelopment/ourresearchers/drkatleenrobert.php), Canada Research Chair in Ocean Mapping at MI’s [School of Ocean Technology](https://www.mi.mun.ca/departments/schoolofoceantechnology/), says the observatory provides a year-round window on marine life in Conception Bay. “With current climatic trends, we are running out of time to establish the natural baselines of ecosystems, and early detection of change will be key to proactively adjusting our management strategies," she said. “The Holyrood observatory will greatly extend our ability to obtain long-term, time-series data by allowing constant monitoring, even under ice. Its camera will provide year-round, high-resolution observations of an Atlantic Canada subtidal [benthic community](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/benthic.html), including the economically important snow crab.” ## 4D Oceans Lab Dr. Robert’s [4D Oceans Lab](https://www.4d-oceans.com/) and a team of graduate students are mapping the spatial complexity of the ocean from the seafloor to the surface, the distribution of seafloor marine habitats and how those habitats respond to different human-induced and natural stressors. [Rylan Command](https://www.4d-oceans.com/our-team), a master’s student in fisheries science and technology at MI, is using the observatory to characterize nearby seafloor marine life, such as snow crab, and to measure behavioural responses to the spring [phytoplankton](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/phyto.html) bloom in Conception Bay. As part of a project funded by the [Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network](https://meopar.ca/), Mr. Command will be using a fluorometer added to the observatory to measure chlorophyll concentration, including phytoplankton. ## ONC partnership “Ocean Networks Canada is delighted to be working with Memorial University’s Marine Institute on the installation of one of our cabled observatory systems at their cold-ocean testbed site in Holyrood," said Kate Moran, president and CEO, Ocean Networks Canada. "This observatory has multiple purposes – support for ocean science, advancement of Canada’s blue economy as an industry sensor test bed and for ocean education, outreach and public engagement." Using cabled observatories, remote control systems and interactive sensors, and big data management, ONC enables evidence-based decision-making on ocean management, disaster mitigation and environmental protection. Data and video from the Holyrood observatory is publicly available through [ONC](https://data.oceannetworks.ca/home?TREETYPE=1&LOCATION=2373&DEVICECATEGORY=5&TIMECONFIG=3). Later this month it will also be available on [SmartAtlantic](https://www.smartatlantic.ca/index.html), a decade-long initiative in ocean observation by MI. ## Ocean technology hub “The Marine Institute is proud to partner with Ocean Networks Canada in launching one of its ocean observatory systems in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president of Memorial University (Marine Institute). “It will complement our meteorological and oceanographic buoys already deployed in Holyrood Bay – adding another stream of data to our understanding of this environment and contributing to a controlled test environment for underwater vehicles.” It’s part of the [ongoing](https://gazette.mun.ca/research/ocean-investment/) expansion of the Holyrood marine base, including construction of a new multi-purpose building that began in December and installation of subsea infrastructure.

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For more information, please contact Moira Baird, public relations and communications officer, Marine Institute, at 709-330-3918 or mc.baird@mi.mun.ca; or ONC Communications, Ocean Networks Canada, at onc-comms@uvic.ca. For science related inquiries, please contact Fabio De Leo, senior staff scientist at 250-661-3491 or fdeleo@uvic.ca. **Read more:**

Canada’s national ocean observatory critical for ocean, planet

Overview

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA NEWS RELEASE
August 19, 2022 Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), an initiative of the University of Victoria, today welcomes a new federal investment in its world-leading ocean observatories located on the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts of Canada. The support will help drive climate change solutions, safer coastal communities, Indigenous ocean data stewardship, a healthier ocean and a sustainable blue economy. The [funding announced](https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2022+onc-funding+media-release) today is awarded to UVic through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) [Major Science Initiatives Fund](https://www.innovation.ca/news/msi-august-2022), which supports a portion of the operating and maintenance costs of selected national science facilities across Canada. ONC will receive an investment of almost $115 million over six years to continue advancing ocean observing, extending the reach and application of its open access big data to benefit science, society and industry. In the past 16 years ONC has expanded beyond its early work observing the Salish Sea to becoming a true national ocean observing facility, with installations and local and Indigenous partnerships on all three coasts of Canada, attracting more than 23,000 users of its scientific data around the world. The real-time and long-time series ocean data that ONC collects from its cabled, mobile and community-based observing networks make possible a wide range of services that support scientific discovery, climate impact monitoring, maritime safety, tsunami and earthquake early warning, innovation in climate change mitigation, and a sustainable ocean economy, says Kate Moran, president and chief executive officer of ONC. “Canadians can be proud of their national observatory that not only yields valuable insights into this undersea world that covers two thirds of our planet, but also contributes to Canada’s climate leadership through innovation in ocean nature-based and technological climate mitigation solutions and coastal resilience. This investment also means that ONC, through its work with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, can continue working with partners In Canada and internationally to advance projects in pursuit of healthier oceans, science that promotes ocean resilience, and a citizenry engaged with the oceans’ role in supporting life on this planet,” says Moran.

From greenhouse gas to rock in 25 years

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NEWS RELEASE Newly published research by scientists with the [Solid Carbon project](https://pics.uvic.ca/projects/solid-carbon-negative-emissions-technology-feasibility-study) shows that carbon dioxide (CO₂) taken from the atmosphere and injected into the deep subseafloor off Vancouver Island may turn into solid rock in about 25 years. Solid Carbon, an international research team led by Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), a University of Victoria initiative, and funded by a PICS Theme Partnership grant from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, hosted and led by UVic, is investigating how to permanently and safely sequester CO₂ as rock in the ocean floor. The project is part of the emerging field of negative emissions technologies—climate solutions that reduce the amount of carbon in the earth’s atmosphere.

News Release: Order of Canada: Kate Moran honoured for ocean science leadership

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Kate (Kathryn) Moran is a pioneer in technological innovation to support ocean and planet sustainability. In a career that spans the United States White House through to her current role as President and CEO of Ocean Networks Canada, Kate Moran’s extraordinary contribution has today been recognized with her appointment as Officer of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. [Today’s announcement](https://www.gg.ca/en/media/news/2023/new-appointments-order-canada-and-promotions-within-order) by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General states Kate Moran is receiving her appointment “for her innovative leadership as a researcher, policy advisor and administrator in ocean engineering and climate action.”

Earthquake risk minimal when storing carbon under the deep ocean, study finds

Overview

NEWS RELEASE Injecting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into ocean basalt has almost no risk of triggering any seismic activity such as earthquakes or fault slip according to new research from [Solid Carbon](https://solidcarbon.ca/), a promising climate change mitigation project for reducing the amount of carbon in the Earth’s atmosphere. Advanced computer modelling by scientists with the Solid Carbon team shows injecting CO₂ under the Cascadia Basin has less than 1 percent chance of causing fault slip. Solid Carbon, an international research team led by Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), a University of Victoria (UVic) initiative, and funded by the [Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions](https://pics.uvic.ca/programs/theme-partnership-program), is investigating how to permanently and safely store CO₂ below the ocean floor. The goal is to capture CO₂ from the atmosphere and inject it into young (less than 15 million years old) porous basalt rock, such as that found in the Cascadia Basin off the west coast of Canada, where it would interact with minerals, transforming into carbonate rock.

Deep-ocean Argo floats expand climate impact monitoring in the NE Pacific

Overview

NEWS RELEASE *Header image: In a global sea of Argo floats, ONC’s five deep floats are the first to explore the NE Pacific Ocean below two-kilometre depths, to a maximum depth of 4 km, while equipped with a dissolved oxygen sensor.* Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) has expanded the reach of Pacific Ocean monitoring with the deployment of new deep-sea Argo floats that collect vital ocean data while traveling up and down through the water column, the space between the sea surface and the seafloor. The introduction of these drifting autonomous “droids of the deep” brings a new dimension to ONC’s existing deep ocean observing system in the Pacific, NEPTUNE, (North East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments), an 800-plus-kilometre cabled observatory located on the seafloor off the west coast of Canada. Five floats have been deployed in the northeast Pacific this year, between latitudes of 49.57° and 53.18° N, during expeditions led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. They are now successfully transmitting ocean data that are open and accessible, expanding Canadian contributions to the international Argo program.