Research Portal

Quantifying Demographics and Monitoring Movement of American Lobster in the Minas Passage and Basin

October 2017 – March 2019

The project consists of lobster fishing in Minas Passage during the fall lobster season to collect, assess and tag lobsters in this area, then fishing in Minas Basin from April to May to assess the spawning characteristics of lobster tagged the previous fall, then returning to Minas Passage to fi

Real-Time, Targeted Imaging of Turbine-Marine Life Interactions

March 2017 – February 2019

The research goal is to redesign and validate a dynamic mount to improve targeted real-time imaging of marine life in the near-field zone of a tidal turbine. The adjustable mount will enable imaging sensors to be aimed directly facing the tidal turbine.

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

Predictive Modelling of Sandstone Reservoir Quality in the Scotian Basin

May 2016 – December 2018

This project uses existing knowledge of inferred drainage basin areas and paleoclimate to model multiple river inputs to the Scotian Basin. The modelled sedimentary succession is compared with actual sediment thicknesses in the basin.

Going with the Flow II: Using Drifters to Address Uncertainties in the Spatial Variation of Tidal Flows

October 2017 – June 2018

Drifters are one of the oldest, simplest and most reliable methods for measuring ocean currents. Drifters also provide a simple, low risk platform from which to gather acoustic information along flow streamlines or ‘drift tracks’.

Measuring the Acoustic Detection Range of Large Whales from an Ocean Glider to Improve an Acoustic Whale Alert System for use by the Offshore Marine Industry in Atlantic Canada

April 2017 – January 2018

Researchers investigated a novel and in-development passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) system for use as a marine mammal detection technique. The work builds on a current research initiative between Dalhousie University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI).

Turbulence Dissipation Rates from Horizontal Velocity Profiles at Mid-Depth in Fast Tidal Flows

December 2017

This study characterizes the turbulence in a tidal channel in the Bay of Fundy that has been identified for development as a tidal power resource.

Finite Element Analysis to Assess Fish Mortality from Interactions with Tidal Turbine Blades

February – December 2017

The research project used finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the impact of a tidal turbine blade on fish, and assess whether mortality of marine life can be expected in such an event.

Drones and Drifters – The Great Pumpkin Race

October 2016 – July 2017

This project tested and developed a new low-cost approach to collecting oceanographic measurements for use in tidal initial site assessments. The plan combines one of the oldest tools in oceanography, the drifter, with one of the newest, the drone.

Tidal Turbine Marine Life Interaction Study: Fish

May 2016 – May 2017

This study at Dalhousie University’s Aquatron test tank monitored the behaviour of striped bass in the presence of an active tidal turbine.  The research drew on expertise and experience from different parts of Canada and Europe over a one year project period.

Use of Bottom-Mounted Hydro-Acoustic Sonar to Assess Fish Presence and Vertical Distribution at the FORCE In-Stream Tidal Turbine Test Site in Minas Passage

May 2016 – April 2017

To better understand fish use of the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) site and their potential for interaction with in-stream tidal devices, this study examined how fish density and vertical distribution varied with respect to environmental factors, in particular tidal stage and tim