Media Releases

Halifax, NS – Dalhousie’s Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) has been awarded $11.4 million in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiatives Fund.

Mr. Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, was on campus today to make the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science. The Ocean Tracking Network is one of 17 national research facilities at 12 universities across the country that will receive funding.

The Major Science Initiatives Fund is a program that ensures Canada’s large, complex research facilities that serve communities of researchers have the support they need to continue to operate at the cutting edge. These facilities—whether physical spaces or virtual networks—serve a critical mass of researchers tackling some of the most important issues facing society.

"Halifax is exceptionally well-positioned to be a leader in ocean science and innovation -- and not only because of our status as a primary coastal city. Halifax is home to many of today's leading minds on ocean research, supported largely by Dalhousie University,” says Mr. Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax. “Our federal government recognizes this potential, and that is why it has chosen to fund oceans-related projects in Halifax time and time again, including today, with a significant investment in the Ocean Tracking Network."

The Ocean Tracking Network has been tracking the movements and survival of aquatic animals globally since 2008, and has grown to include a database of more than 100 valued study species in collaboration with over 100 research institutions world-wide.

“The OTN platform, built on Canadian collaboration in technology and knowledge expertise, will continue supporting the priorities of federal agencies, particularly Fisheries and Oceans, as well as international partners, by assisting in Canada’s commitment to address the stewardship and management of crucial global aquatic resources,” says Dr. Sara Iverson, Project Leader and Scientific Director of the Ocean Tracking Network.

The Network has become a global leader and important component of the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Global Ocean Observing System, fostering excellence, diversity, focus and coherence among the Pan-Canadian and international research communities. Operating at local, regional, and international scales, OTN’s research is helping guide the conservation and sustainable development of the ocean. In recognition of this, the Network also recently received the Nature Inspiration Award from the Canadian Museum of Nature.

“The Ocean Tracking Network continues to lead the way in a rapidly changing ocean technology sector,” says Dr. Martha Crago, Vice President Research, Dalhousie University. “This significant investment by the Government of Canada is recognition of the world-class research OTN is doing to make our ocean safe and sustainable.”

With the funding announced today, OTN will be able to:

* Continue to maintain the OTN headquarters, infrastructure and operations
* Continue to meet the growing demands of its Canadian and international user communities
* Allow communication of data and outcomes in support of Canadian and international science
A full list of the funded projects and stories about the facilities are available online at innovation.ca<http://www.innovation.ca/>.

More information about the Ocean Tracking Network can be found at oceantrackingnetwork.org<http://www.oceantrackingnetwork.org/>.

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Media Contacts:
Anja Samardzic
Ocean Tracking Network
902-494-4405
Anja.Samardzic@dal.ca<mailto:Anja.Samardzic@dal.ca>

Michele Charlton
Dalhousie University, Research Services
902-494-4148
Michele.charlton@dal.ca<mailto:Michele.charlton@dal.ca>