Observations

Ocean data on a range of physical, chemical and biological features (e.g. tides, ocean currents, pH, salinity, temperature, ocean colour, phytoplankton, etc.) are acquired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada as part of zonal research and monitoring initiatives in Canada's three oceans. Ocean observations form the backbone of our understanding the state of the oceans and how they are changing over time. Observational data are also critical for developing predictive ocean models.

• Atlantic Ocean Monitoring

  Atlantic Ocean Monitoring

  The Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program in Atlantic Canada was developed with the aim of collecting and analyzing the biological, chemical, and physical data to detect and monitor seasonal and inter-annual variability in Eastern Canadian waters.

  • Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP)
  • Atlantic Zone Off-Shelf Monitoring Program
  • Bedford Basin Plankton Monitoring Program
  • Coastal Shallow Water Temperature Climatology for Atlantic Canada
  • Tides, currents, and water levels
• Pacific Ocean Monitoring

  Pacific Ocean Monitoring

  In the Pacific zone, the Line P Time Series is one of the longest running oceanographic monitoring programs. Due to the long term nature of this program, oceanographic changes can be evaluated, which is especially relevant when monitoring global climate change.

  The following are other oceanographic observation programs in the Pacific zone.

  • BC Lighthouse Data
  • BC inlets- Water Properties Trends
  • Coastal Monitoring with BC Ferries
  • Haida Eddies
  • Line P Time Series
  • Plankton Productivity
  • Southern BC Coastal Waters Monitoring
  • Tides, currents, and water levels
• Arctic Ocean Monitoring

  Arctic Ocean Monitoring

  DFO scientists led 6 of the 51 Canadian International Polar Year (IPY) projects and were contributors to many of the other IPY projects.

  Observations of the Arctic Ocean have been made since the 1800s at varying levels of intensity. Recently, Arctic monitoring has focused on understanding the impacts of climate change on Arctic waters (e.g., increasing temperature, decreasing pH, decreasing salinity, changing ice conditions, etc.).

  • The National Centre for Arctic Aquatic Research Excellence (N-CAARE)
  • Tides, currents, and water levels
• National Programs

  National Programs

  National

  • Argo
  • Drifting Buoys
  • Drift Bottle Project
  • Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System

  Satellite

  • Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) remote sensing satellite
  • MERIS remote sensing satellite
  • MODIS remote sensing satellite
  • Operational Remote Sensing at BIO
  • Sea-viewing Wide Field-of view Sensor (SeaWiFS) remote sensing satellite
  • Virtual Centre for Ocean Satellite Salinity (VCOSS) remote sensing satellite
• Partners

  Partners in Ocean Monitoring

  In acquiring ocean observations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada works closely with partners within the Federal Government with other ocean monitoring programs funded by the Government of Canada, and with international agencies.

  Other Governmental Departments

  • Canadian Space Agency
  • Environment Canada - Canadian Ice Service
  • Environment Canada - Hurricanes

  National

  • ArcticNet
  • Ocean Tracking Network
  • Oceans Network Canada

  International

  • Arctic Council
  • Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program
  • Arctic Ocean Sciences Board
  • Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program
  • International Arctic Science Committee
  • International Oceanographic Commission
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • National Snow and Ice Data Centre
  • Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks
  • The Partnership for the Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO)