Development of off-shore aquaculture in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence: Bottom mapping

Description

A Wide Angle Seafloor Sonar Profiler (WASSP) (multi-beam) and the OLEX sea mapping software has been installed aboard the Opilio, the Gulf Region research vessel. During every research mission since the installation, marine bottom information is being gathered simultaneously as various project leaders conduct their research aboard the Opilio. The real-time 3D seafloor profiler is providing bathymetric contour mapping. A good understanding of the physical characteristics of the seabed is a key element in habitat characterization.

In Gulf Region, the lobster group has a WASSP and OLEX system on their inshore vessel. At the end of November, after the Opilio has completed the 2009 missions, the bottom mapping data acquired on the Opilo will be downloaded and combined with the near-shore data obtained using the lobster group's inshore vessel. Presently, it is planned to download the data at the end of each year to create yearly marine bottom maps. Every time the Opilio sails, the contour maps are up-dated, therefore yearly maps will provide a means to document the changes as they occur. Users will be able to compare the marine bottom maps from one year to the next.

Findings

N/A

Publications

N/A

Program Name

Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research (PARR)

Year(s)

2008 - 2009

Ecoregion(s)

Atlantic: Gulf of St. Lawrence, St. Lawrence Estuary

Principal Investigator(s)

Leslie-Anne Davidson
Email: Leslie-Anne.Davidson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca