Research
SOAR is working to advance applied marine research with focus on clean renewable energy and healthy food supplies.
This includes advancing innovations in fishing, marine energy, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture.
Fishing
Tourism
Aquaculture
Tidal energy
Marine science
Recent Work
SOAR recently completed several projects supported by Net Zero Atlantic (formerly OERA) and Natural Resources Canada .
Our primary focus was on advancing our understanding of interactions between tidal turbines and marine animals, working with remote and coastal communities to evaluate potential for tidal energy developments, and characterizing turbulent tidal flows.
This work includes a promising component for a solution to regulatory challenges facing the tidal energy industry, through advancement of methods for effective monitoring enabled through collaborations with local and international research organizations, and community support on Brier Island and Long Island, Nova Scotia :
- Mi'kmaw Conservation Group
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College UHI
- MarineSitu Inc.
- Dalhousie Oceanography
- Acadia University
- University of Manitoba / Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Test Centre
Recent research reports
- Imaging Sonar Data Automation Feasibility Study
- Field Assessment of Multi-beam Sonar Performance in Surface Deployments
- Field Assessment of Multi-beam Sonar Performance in Bottom Mount Deployments
Our report on "Addressing technical challenges to enable hydrokinetic clean power generation in river and coastal communities" for our Natural Resources Canada - Clean Growth Program project with University of Manitoba / CHTTC is submitted, and coming soon.
Videos
These videos show:
- Courtney Trowse presenting at the 2020 Marine Renewables Canada Conference
- Tidal current characterization in Masset, British Columbia with the Council of the Haida Nation and University of Victoria.
- Tidal current measurements in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut with Bird's Eye Inc.
- Examples of various species of marine animals as observed with the Tritech Gemini multi-beam imaging sonar.
- Data collection during the Net Zero Atlantic (formerly OERA) Pathway Project, where research vessel Grand Adventure was anchored in Grand Passage to test multi-beam imaging sonars
- Active monitoring of the SME PLAT-I tidal power system with the ARIS 3000
SOAR helped establish Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd. in Grand Passage for testing of their 280 kW PLAT-I tidal power system.
The presence of PLAT-I at our home waterway enabled several research projects.
The Marine Observer Program for Grand Passage - PLAT-I Deployment focused on capacity-building for stakeholder involvement in monitoring potential interactions between tidal turbines and marine animals.
An overarching objective was to assist with development of Best Practices for environmental monitoring of tidal energy developments.
A Marine Animal Identification and Observation Guide was developed to increase the accuracy of marine animal observations, and also to stimulate further interest regarding the large variety and high abundance of marine animals in the Outer Bay of Fundy region.
SOAR also held a Marine Animal Observer training course and conducted dedicated observations of marine animals in Grand Passage while Sustainable Marine Energy’s PLAT-I tidal power system was operating.
Please see the Ocean Education section of our website for more information on the guide!
