Lessons Learned in Developing a Canadian Operational Glider Fleet

Abstract

Canada's expanding “Blue Economy” requires a major expansion of existing ocean monitoring if developments are to be sustainably managed. Dalhousie University, the Ocean Tracking Network, and the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network of Centers of Excellence have operated a mixed fleet of gliders for 7 years on missions covering >50,000 km. The data from these missions are used by research programs, nongovernmental organizations, and government agencies. The gliders have proven to be reliable platforms for ocean observation, collecting data in inclement weather, and times of the year when it is difficult to get ships at sea. However, glider operations have a steep learning curve, and much of the expertise that resides within an operational glider group is gleaned through experience. Managing glider data also poses significant challenges. Planning, risk management, rapid adaptation to the unexpected, and dedicated highly qualified personnel are the keys to sustaining successful glider operations.

Does a spatiotemporal closure to fishing Chrysophrys auratus (Sparidae) spawning aggregations also protect individuals during migration?

“…Dalhousie University is now operating Canada's largest academic operational fleet of autonomous marine gliders that have travelled a total of over 75 000 km (Fig. 1) while collecting a wide array of physical, biological, chemical, and acoustic observations (e.g., Davis et al 2018). Numerical ocean models have contributed to understanding aquatic animal habitat use and loss, as well as to the underlying mechanisms of tracked animal movement patterns (e.g., Beguer-Pon et al 2016;Ohashi and Sheng 2016).…”

Best practices for operating underwater gliders in Atlantic Canada

“…This paper shares first hand glider experience from operating gliders in Atlantic Canada since 2005, highlighting challenges in sustaining glider observations. This paper expands the scope of a previous group paper highlighting lessons learned operating gliders in Atlantic Canada (Davis et al, 2018). The discussion focuses on practical issues and lessons learned from glider operations in this part of the ocean that should be relevant to users in other regions.…”

A Systematic Review of Acoustic Telemetry as a Tool to Gain Insights Into Marine Turtle Ecology and Aid Their Conservation

“…New technologies are being developed to aid in data retrieval, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that can retrieve data from receivers, as well as systems that can transmit detection data to the surface with a modem and hydrophone. Advancements are also being made in utilizing marine organisms and AUVs as roving receiver platforms to increase detection probabilities (Whoriskey, 2015;Davis et al, 2018;Bangley et al, 2020;Ennasr et al, 2020). A proposed framework for standardization of data across all biotelemetry technologies will increase compatibility of data and improve biotelemetry's ability to inform spatial distribution of marine species (Sequeira et al, 2021).…”