FCS News

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The oceans cover approximately 70 per cent of the earth’s surface. Whether or not we know it, we all depend on the ocean. The ocean helps produce the oxygen we breathe, acts as a major transportation route for goods, is a major supplier of food and is a favourite place of outdoor enthusiasts.  

Even though the ocean plays such a major role in our everyday lives, there is still a lot for us to learn. Over 100 researchers across nine faculties at Dal are working every day to make new discoveries about the ocean. From basic science research to new technologies, Dalhousie’s internationally recognized researchers are creating global solutions to the complex challenges facing our life-sustaining oceans.

“Dal has the full package of ocean research,” says Paul Hill, chair of the Department of Oceanography. “Our researchers are leading the way in social sciences, basic science and the development of new technologies. Together these areas of expertise allow Dal to deliver great education, great science and inform great policy decisions.”

The power of collaboration

At Dal, researchers are collaborating across departments, faculties, institutions and industry. Through collaborations, researchers are providing Nova Scotia and Canada with the ability to innovate, commercialize and impact public policy.

One driver for collaboration is the large amount of information being gathered on ocean research from around the world. Advances in acquisition, management and analysis are needed to help understand and manage the diverse range of information.

Stan Matwin, a professor in the Faculty of Computer Science and Canada Research Chair in Visual Text Analytics, is applying his big data analysis research to help ocean researchers answer questions concerning complexities of the ocean.

One area of research has Dr. Matwin collaborating with researcher Boris Worm’s lab in the Department of Biology. Dr. Matwin is looking at the analysis of ship trajectories by using information from the ships Automatic Identification System (AIS) to mine interesting facts, regularities and anomalies. The information can help identify ships travel patterns and whether or not a trawler is fishing.

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