Research Portal

Real-Time Detection of Marine Mammals in High Flow Environments

May 2019 – September 2021

The project research goal is to design and test an innovative acoustic sensor system that will feature a wireless magneto-inductive (MI) communications link – to alert users in real time of the presence and location of marine mammals in high noise tidal environments.  The research entails a field

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

Seismic Reconstruction and Petroleum Systems Modeling of the Nova Scotia-Morocco Conjugate Margin

April – December 2019

Seismic Reconstruction

The Seismic Reconstruction project is a stand-alone element of the Conjugate Margin Program undertaken by the consulting firm Beicip Franlab. A number of subprojects and data streams are inputs to this project.

Multipurpose X-Band Marine Radar Network for the Minas Passage

January – November 2019

Marine X-band radar locates vessels and features, including coastlines and buoys.  It filters distracting signals (eg.

Geoscience » Georges Bank Research & Data

Georges Bank Research & Data

January 2019

Georges Bank is a large submarine bank (250km by 150km – 40,000 km2) located at the edge of the Atlantic continental shelf between Cape Cod and Nova Scotia.

Assessing Marine Mammal Presence in and near the FORCE Crown Lease Area during Winter and Early Spring

October 2013 – February 2015

This study closes the winter/spring baseline data gap via deployments of multiple, calibrated C-PODs and an icListenHF hydrophone, for the deepest sites at the FORCE Lease Area.

Investigation of the Vertical Distribution, Movement and Abundance of Fish in the Vicinity of Proposed Tidal Power Energy Conversion Devices

March 2010 – December 2014

This project studied active fish avoidance of a turbine using the Coda Octopus Echoscope II 3-D multi-beam sonar mounted on a bottom platform. The objective was to observe and quantify the distribution and abundance of fish in the water column and their ability to detect and avoid turbines. 

Atlantic Sturgeon Spatial and Temporal Distribution in Minas Passage, Nova Scotia, Canada, a Region of Future Tidal Energy Extraction

January 2010 – January 2014

In the Bay of Fundy, Atlantic sturgeon from endangered and threatened populations in the USA and Canada migrate through Minas Passage to enter and leave Minas Basin.

Acoustic Tracking of Fish Movements in the Minas Passage and FORCE Crown Lease Area: Pre-Turbine Baseline Studies

June 2011 – July 2013

This project used animal tracking technology developed by VEMCO, a division of AMIRIX Systems of Halifax, NS. The technology allows researchers to track animal movements and behaviour over a scale of kilometers.

Southwest Nova Scotia Tidal Energy Resource Assessment

June 2013

This is an assessment of the in-stream tidal resources in Southwest Nova Scotia consisting of Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties.

3-D Acoustic Tracking of Fish, Sediment-Laden Ice and Large Wood Debris in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy

October 2009 – December 2011

Researchers used VEMCO animal tracking technology to complete in-situ testing of the path, depth and velocity of fish and objects passing through the Minas Passage.