OTN at Two and a Half Years Old: Evolution and Challenges Ahead

Volume 2 l Issue 1 Summer 2012

OTN at two and a half years old: evolution and challenges ahead

n just over two years of operation, OTN has made huge prosper. As we develop OTN’s Iprogress. Researchers from the NSERC funded OTN Canada have required new strategic plan, we accumulated an outstanding track record of first-rate science need the help and cooperation and developed an integrated Canada-wide research network of all OTN members to allow with international reach, and the global infrastructure has made OTN to best meet its potential major strides forward in its development to meet the needs of and the expectations of our the investigators. A key focus of the NSERC network is the training funders. We need to ask of students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as technicians and ourselves: What will be the research assistants. At last count, OTN Canada was supporting, in best means for OTN partners whole or in part, the programs of over 90 of these trainees, and and investigators to identify many more are involved in international projects. and integrate their work on major science questions that Nevertheless, we still have some major upcoming milestones provide common benefits to to accomplish, so there is still much work to do. As a result of both Canada and international an unsuccessful CFI Major Sciences Initiative (MSI) competition partners? How can OTN application, and also through internal recognition of our need best seek opportunities for to evolve to better meet the goals of a CFI International Joint international outreach and Venture Fund initiative, OTN as a whole is undergoing revisions in collaborations through such both our governance structure and strategic planning. At the same avenues as joint opportunities time, the NSERC funded network must prepare and formalize for the training of HQP? What research plans for phase II (years 2014–2016) for critical peer are the avenues OTN could Sara Iverson and Fred Whoriskey at the Second review. All these milestones, required by both granting councils, use to integrate Canadian and Annual OTN Canada are expected to be completed by the end of 2012. international efforts to inform Symposium policy and to transfer knowledge As part of the revised governance structure, OTN will have a single to end users? unified scientific leadership and an integrated research strategy which will involve the establishment of a new International The good news is that we have been given these challenges early Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC) to complement the existing in the development of OTN. With the help and participation of all OTN Canada SAC. The ISAC membership will be drawn from the OTN researchers, we have the time we need to change and evolve. international scientific community, as well as from the Canadian Be ready to rally ‘round! SAC, in order to foster scientific integration across OTN. Both SACs will continue to focus on joint opportunities for training of HQP Sara Iverson, (highly qualified personnel) and the optimal sharing and use of the OTN Scientific Director network infrastructure. Fred Whoriskey, There will also be complete revision to the OTN Council structure OTN Executive Director to bring new skills to the Council that will help OTN grow and

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Growing the Network: across collaboration with Vemco and Liquid Robotics. OTN technician Ian Beveridge was sent down under In this issue: the pond and down under early this year to assist with phase I deployment of A full rollover of the 151 VR2W receiver stations on the Tasmania Array. Twenty-six VR2W stations were Global Since our last newsletter, the OTN technical team has the Cabot Strait Line was achieved in mid-April. Of deployed between the east coast of Tasmania and Tech Talk ...... 4 been extremely busy extending and servicing existing interest were detections of American eels tagged in the Maria Island and extend seaward to the 200m isobath. receiver arrays close to home and travelling around the St. Lawrence River by OTN Canada researchers Julian An additional 40 receivers are planned for deployment Global Data Update ...... 6 globe to new deployments. Dodson and Martin Castonguay, which will hopefully around Cape Barren Island north of Tasmania in the help to clarify the migration of this elusive species. Bass Strait later this year. Update on existing deployments Canada OTN’s inaugural listening line, the Halifax Line, was The OTN Minas Passage Line recovery was under way Deployment of the OTN Hawaii Array is underway with Informing Policy ...... 7 completed in May, with a total length of ~205 km, when our last newsletter went to press. Results of the the deployment of six VR2W stations near Waikiki at recovery were rather disappointing when four of the 12 the end of April. This array will consist of four receiver Oceans and Animals ...... 8 extending to the edge of the continental shelf. stations failed to surface. Based on the wear and tear lines off the island of Oahu and will be part of the larger on the hardware of recovered moorings, it was decided Pacific Coast Ocean Observing System (PACOOS). Data Perspective ...... 9 that an eight-month deployment in the extreme tidal Making Waves for the Future ...... 10 currents in the area was unrealistic. The line was The Northern Strait of Georgia Line of the OTN redeployed in late April with plans for retrieval and Vancouver Array was deployed in early January, redeployment in July. consisting of 26 VR3 and VR4 stations. The line was deployed in collaboration with the now retired Pacific OTN technician Duncan Bates traveled to South Africa Ocean Shelf Tracking (POST) program, which has OTN in the news: this spring to assist with servicing of the OTN South maintained a series of lines off the west coast of North African Array. Receiver Lines in Algoa Bay and Mossel America cooperatively with various partners since 2001. tracking salmon in the Bay, which were deployed near the end of 2011, OTN will be assimilating POST data and maintaining Gulf of St. Lawrence were retrieved for data download and redeployed. some infrastructure in support of continuing An important technical issue was the large amount of international research objectives in the NE Pacific. to Dr. Fred Whoriskey ‘s interview on biofouling on the equipment after only eight months in CBC’s West Coast Morning Halifax Line (in red) extending to the edge of the continental shelf the water. Upcoming deployments OTN technician Ian Beveridge has traveled to southern on the West Coast New deployments Spain twice so far this year in preparation for the Duncan also spent time in the Azores early this year for deployment of OTN’s Strait of Gibraltar Array. In April, Tagged migratory species to be heard in the One hundred eighty-four new receiver stations were added in 2012, increasing the existing number from 73 the first deployment of the OTN Azores Array. Thirteen he deployed four VR4 test moorings, which were to 257. Four new oceanographic monitoring “benthic VR2W receiver stations with EdgeTech acoustic releases recovered in June. Full deployment of the 35-station The New York Times blogs about pods” were also deployed, for a total of eight, with and rock anchors were deployed on the seamount chain line will be underway as soon as the test data are two more planned for July. The Halifax Line has a mix west of Faial Island. The scientific goal is to document evaluated. Read more about the Strait of Gibraltar test of VR3, VR4, and VR2W receivers, with 51 VR2Ws the use of seamounts by important benthic and deployment in OTN Tech Talk. deployed in waters where they may be vulnerable to pelagic fish species. The array includes other receivers fishing operations and the final 90 stations deployed owned by OTN collaborators at the Institute of Marine with VR4-UWMs. The intention is for long-term Research, University of the Azores. Four OTN VR4 deployment with remote data offloads using the Wave receiver stations will be deployed later this year. Glider, a technology that is currently being developed in

2 3 Tech Talk

Tech challenges: extreme Each VR4-UWM was equipped with a Star- impact release times for the Sub Sea Sonics acoustic releases environments and biofouling Oddi DST tilt logger to record tilt every two being used by our partners in South Africa. The issue is also minutes. faced by other partners in the network and will no doubt Strait of Gibraltar be a topic discussed further by its members, especially as OTN, in collaboration with the University of Barcelona and The tilt data clearly show a tidal influence on many organizations and countries move to restrict the use the Instituto Español de Oceanografía, is planning to install the moorings, even at a 280m depth (Figure of some types of copper-based antifouling “hull” paints. an acoustic curtain of VR4-UWM receivers across the Strait 2). The extreme tilt values suggest that the Paul Cowley (SAIAB) and Duncan Bates collaborated on of Gibraltar from Spain to Morocco. One of the big questions bottom currents can be very strong. The new and innovative solutions, such as a copper sleeve for regarding this deployment was whether or not acoustic Kintama and C-ROM floats were most affected the VR2W receiver (Figure 3). These were range tested communication with the VR4-UWM would be possible. by bottom currents with maximum tilts >60 alongside control (unfouled) and heavily fouled receivers. degrees. The SUBS and elliptical floats had Field tests show that there is no fouling on these copper The Strait of Gibraltar is a very dynamic oceanographic much lower maximum tilts and performed sleeves. Tag detection tests with the sleeve, control, and environment, with physical characteristics that pose several Figure 2. Degrees tilt for four VR4-UWMs deployed in different floatation collars at ~280 the best at maintaining a more vertical fouled receivers suggest that detection efficiency was m depth in the Strait of Gibraltar potential challenges to acoustic communication and tag orientation. not significantly impacted by the copper sleeve. This is a detection. These characteristics include a permanent promising development and has provided further directions Our first challenge was the strong surface current; during pycnocline at a depth of about 100m, a seasonal for assessment. acoustic tests, our drifts reached average speeds of thermocline, and strong tidal currents. To better understand The influence of receiver tilt on communication and data 1.1–5.5 knots. We were unable to hold station against this how these factors could affect the operation of this line, we offloading can be significant. During one communications current with the surface transducer in the water. All of our conducted acoustic communication tests during two cruises test, the C-ROM was tilted at 57 degrees and technicians communication tests were conducted while the ship drifted in April and June 2012 from the Spanish oceanographic could not establish sufficient communication for data eastward over the deployed VR4-UWM receivers. We were vessel Ramón Margalef. We also deployed eight moorings offload. During the same test, the SUBS float was tilted at able to establish communication and offload data during for two months to assess VR4-UWM floatation collar eight degrees and we were able to connect and offload data each drift. This was a very positive result and demonstrated performance and tag detection range. from the VR4-UWM. that VR4-UWM communication is possible through the

permanent pycnocline. In addition to communication tests, technicians conducted drift tests with Vemco range-test tags (V9, V13, V16) over Another challenge in the Strait of Gibraltar the moored receivers. All tags were detected through the is the strong bottom currents. These strong permanent pycnocline. Fixed sentinel range tags were also currents can affect the orientation or tilt deployed as part of the two-month test. Results from these of the VR4-UWM, which can influence the two cruises demonstrate that the VR4-UWM can be used effectiveness of acoustic communication. As effectively in the Strait of Gibraltar. The full deployment of part of our two-month test deployment, we this line is planned for later this year. assessed the performance of four different floatation collars: Biofouling (1) Kintama float OTN was onsite with the South African Institute of Aquatic (2) Open Seas Instrumentation SUBS float Biodiversity (SAIAB) during the June recovery/refurbishment (3) ROMOR C-ROM float, and of the Algoa and Mossel Bay VR2W stations. One of the VR2W mooring with exten- sive biofouling recovered in (4) ROMOR prototype elliptical float (Figure 1). greatest challenges faced in South Africa is the heavy Algoa Bay, South Africa biofouling that accumulates on the shallower deployments. Figure 1. ROMOR prototype elliptical float with VR4-UWM Figure 3. VR2W copper sleeve This fouling can affect receiver performance as well as

4 5 Global Data Update Informing Policy CANADA

Data discourse Five-step path to integrating consistent with the logistic and regulatory constraints of the fishery. “Step 5” is to have a management prescription biological and social sciences adopted and routinely re-examined and assessed for Since December 2011, OTN’s data potential improvements. warehouse has grown from 5 to ~10 million into harvest management records. Species composition graphics by actions ocean region, collaboration group and Experience in telemetry studies spanning two decades OTN Social individual deployment can be viewed . on migrations of adult Pacific salmon, coupled with Sciences recent collaborations with social scientists and fisheries Workshop OTN’s GoogleEarth Flyover labels extension specialists, has led Pacific Arena investigators to a better understanding of how harvest management were improved to show acronyms actions are influenced by telemetry science. The purpose of this Pacific Salmon -- Kendra and short names (e.g. PRT: Perth Line) workshop was to present Robinson and finalize the list of case with summary metadata pop-ups OTN detections world wide by species common name as of May 16, 2012. studies to be published as a special issue of the Journal of linked to the OTN members’ site, also International Wildlife Law and Policy. The volume will be . entitled, “Tracking and Protecting Marine Species at Risk: Scientific Advances, Sea of Governance Challenges.” Vemco’s Instrument Specification Authorization form now has space for The workshop started with a short review of the project Greenland shark -- Steven Kessel multiple trackers. Sending the completed to Vemco allows OTN and case study methodologies by Drs. David VanderZwaag to provide trackers with prefilled tag release spreadsheets reducing In the opening plenary lecture of the Second Annual and Richard Apostle, followed by editorial guidelines for case study authors by Dr. Susan Rolston. transcription errors and associated “mystery tags.” OTN Canada Symposium hosted at Dalhousie University, Dr. Scott Hinch illustrated how science can inform Natural, social, and legal scientists discussed nine management using a five-step process. Hypotheses on research case studies. Each presentation covered four In March 2012, John Payne, POST’s data manager and Marta Mihoff, either pure science or perceived knowledge gaps by items: a working title for the paper, a draft outline, OTN’s senior database developer, began to load POST data and managers initiate this process, constituting “Step 1.” The a synopsis of scientific developments with policy implications, and a summary of species-based governance metadata directly into the OTN data warehouse. They expect to be biological phenomenon in question is then described in peer-reviewed papers, theses, etc. This is “Step 2,” where issues. done in September 2012, at which point the OTN data centre will start the biological science interest normally peaks and when accepting POST data collection forms as well as providing confidentiality telemetry practitioners often move on These presentations were followed by a general discussion of the next steps towards arrangements like at POST. to study new hypotheses. However, Dr. Hinch explicitly expressed that scientists the final publication of the special journal must persist beyond “Step 2” to inform issue. The interdisciplinary research teams OTN’s iconic Dalhousie black and gold website was recently given a management meaningfully. The tipping will continue to work closely together makeover to create a consistent and unique look and feel among all point where science meets management towards integrated social, legal, and scientific manuscripts, which will be submitted by mid- OTN webpages. The new sites run on Plone, an open source content is “Step 3,” obliging researchers to further articulate findings through publications December 2012. management system. of descriptive models made available to, Atlantic Sturgeon -- Andrew Taylor The workshop represented a valuable OTN resources in East Indian and informed by, fisheries managers and integrative step for OTN Canada by bringing Ocean as viewed on a Smart was recently moved and will soon have the same stakeholders. At this stage, it is beneficial Phone. for social scientists to quantify how stakeholders perceive together natural and social scientists to discuss look and feel as the Global and Canada sites. The OTN Secretariat and the initial biological phenomenon and to understand how governance implications of Canadian tracking efforts in all Data Centre staff now provide support for all three OTN websites. various management prescriptions would be perceived or three Arenas and with transboundary and international embraced and could be implemented. Predictive models, reach. Resulting case studies are expected to make “Step 4,” can then be developed by fisheries scientists substantial law and policy recommendations for further with input from fisheries management with the aim to strengthening the management of marine species at risk provide a harvest management “prescription” that is of importance to Canada.

6 7 Oceans and Animals Data Perspective CANADA CANADA

Integrating physical Dr. Vagle’s research on ocean anadromous salmonids at Atlantic– Data Visualization Workshop Platform for Ocean Knowledge oceanography and currents makes clear the idea that Arctic transition zones. Management (POKM) animal tracking ocean research cannot be limited to specific areas or regions; connected The Bay of Fundy Atlantic sturgeon Among the Symposium events was a successful plenary POKM is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration lecture and workshop that demonstrated the importance oceans mean connected species and HQP put forth aims to provide between OTN and computer scientists, led by Dr. Raza Dr. Svein Vagle, from the Institute of data visualization and statistical modelling to OTN Abidi from Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science. “must be studied accordingly.” key information to management of Ocean Sciences in Victoria, research and animal tracking data. presented the plenary lecture on strategies and protection of this Originally funded by CANARIE, Canada’s Advanced Summary of HQP species. Exciting results were the integration of ocean modelling The lecture by Dr. Joanna Mills-Flemming, entitled Research and Innovation Network, POKM is a web-based presented by the American eel and animal tracking. By asking presentations “OTN: A Statistician’s Perspective on Complex Marine environment that provides tools for: team in which eel migration what environmental conditions Observations,” briefly reviewed OTN Canada’s mandate, (a) Access, visualization, and analysis of OTN tracking data; dictate animal movement and HQP researchers presented twenty- patterns are being elucidated technologies, and infrastructure with a view to moving (b) Merging tracking data with environmental data products (when available); how animals respond to changing five talks and nine posters at using ocean current modelling, forward via cross-cutting activities like data visualization (c) Sharing data, analysis tools, and products with climate conditions, Dr. Vagle’s the Second Annual OTN Canada acoustic telemetry, and otolith and statistical modelling. Symposium. HQP being trained microchemistry. HQP presentations colleagues throughout OTN and the broader scientific lecture captured OTN’s integrative community. themes of ocean physics, marine under the guidance of OTN Canada’s on Arctic species encompassed a The OTN grey seal bioprobe platform was used to illustrate resources, species interactions, and Principal Investigators (PIs) range in multitude of research objectives how valuable insight can be gained from visualization tools the impact of climate variability to experience from qualified technical for Arctic cod and Greenland shark, that reveal key features of complex data sets. These tools ultimately influence ocean policy. Dr. staff to postdoctoral fellows (PDFs), and their relationship with changing are vital for developing statistical models for inference and Vagle’s lecture focused on the cold research assistants (RAs), and ice conditions. Knowledge of these prediction of important biological phenomena. pool on the Bering Sea continental students in PhD, MSc, and BSc species is key to their preservation at shelf, salinity–temperature programs. our unique and fragile “edge of the conditions associated with Arctic earth.” cod distribution, and the east–west HQP presentations at the Symposium differences in ocean stratigraphy of spanned three conceptual Much of the HQP research the Bellot Strait. frameworks that address factors presented at the Symposium fell affecting marine animal movement under more than one of the newly These projects are helping scientists and migrations: identified conceptual frameworks Example data visualization and analysis outputs that will answer questions of global (a) Oceanographic and for OTN Canada. Some projects are become available via POKM importance in the study of oceans. environmental features and their considered cross-cutting activities, POKM is a proof of concept and can presently serve For example, how will ice melt and variability; namely: a limited number of users simultaneously. Additional (b) Species interactions: predator– (a) Coupled physical–biological Visualization of horizontal (light lines) and vertical (depth development is required to become fully operational fresh water affect the Arctic current profile) movements of a grey seal system? In the Bering Sea, what is prey, conspecifics, etc.; ocean modelling and assimilation; for OTN. The POKM team is seeking new funding (c) Anthropogenic interactions: catch (b) Data visualization from complex opportunities to support this required development. known as a “cold pool” exists where In the workshop, Drs. Ian Jonsen and Svein Vagle and release practices, tidal power, marine observations; ice melt creates a layer of less salty highlighted the need to understand performance etc. (c) Technological advances; Over the coming months, our goals are to: water on top of an ocean layer of characteristics of OTN acoustic technology and (a) Enhance POKM’s capacity for simultaneous users; (d) Policy, end users, and salty water. Cold pools are areas of demonstrated that much can be learned through the (b) Build secure links from POKM to OTN tracking data The OTN salmon projects are management (the social science high biotic productivity, however, application of statistical models that are informed by collections and to available environmental data; exemplars of HQP research that implications of our research). they are extremely sensitive to underlying physical properties of marine acoustics. In (c) Populate POKM with a more comprehensive library of changes in the sea ice. The effects address the above questions. HQP a similar vein, Dr. Jonsen demonstrated how statistical data visualization and standard analysis tools. of climate change may first be seen presented research on Pacific salmon Touching on each and all of the HQP models are helping us to understand how detection range in such areas. This makes the Bering migration and associations with presentations is beyond the scope of and efficiency of OTN bioprobes varies with environmental If you have other ideas for useful visualizations or general Sea ice, currents, and ecosystem very their physical environment and this newsletter, however, we hope to and behavioural factors. analysis tools geared toward acoustic tracking data, or ideas for the kinds of environmental data that POKM important to understanding how ecological genomics. One project convey the integration, impact, and should be linking to, feel free to send an email to Ian global climate change may affect a related smolt migration to disease international relevance of their top- Jonsen ([email protected]) with POKM in the subject line. specific region. pathogenesis. Outside the Pacific, quality research. they will address movements of 8 9 Making Waves for the Future CANADA

HQP commentary on OTN Notes from the OTN Secretariat Canada OTN publishes a quarterly bulletin, semi-annual newsletter, and annual We would like to take this opportunity to say fond report. If you would like to receive any of these publications, either OTN HQP are afforded the unique opportunity of being farewell to outgoing people and to welcome new folks to electronically or in hardcopy, please email OTN communications and public part of a national collaborative research network. The the OTN team. Farewell and huge thank-yous to Glenn relations officer, Nikki Beauchamp at [email protected]. Symposium provided a venue for discussing how to best Crossin, acting Network Manager for OTN Canada, capitalize on OTN resources to promote learning, training, who is starting a new faculty position in the Dalhousie and collaboration among HQP. In light of strong interest Biology Department, but will immediately become an in a more integrated communications platform, the OTN researcher, and to Shauna Baillie, OTN Canada OTN Canada website is undergoing minor restructuring. Administrative Assistant, who is starting a postdoctoral A private discussion forum is in production that will fellowship at the University of Winnipeg. A warm welcome bring attention to potential research collaborations, to Kes Morton, OTN’s new Senior Project Manager; Kyle professional development and travel opportunities, social McKenzie, OTN Canada’s new Network Manager; and to events, and available grants. Nikki Beauchamp, OTN’s new Communications Officer. We look forward to a great team as we move forward in our evolution.

Sara Iverson, OTN Scientific Director

A picture is worth a thousand words! Compelling visuals help raise the profile of OTN. Please send photos you don’t mind sharing to Nikki ([email protected]). OTN brochures are also available for download on Please include a photo description as well as your name both the OTN Canada and OTN Global websites. and institution so we can give you credit for your images.

To ensure that all OTN members receive the various OTN HQP mingling at the poster session during the OTN Canada Annual Symposium publications and notifications, it’s important that new members’ contact information be sent to the Secretariat as soon as possible. We hope that the publications Additionally, HQP will have a private template attached are useful and interesting to members and promote to their public profile outlining their area of research, connectedness across the Network. research itinerary, and opportunities for collaboration. Both the private profile and the discussion forum require Finally, if you have suggestions for how to improve the login access. All HQP can expect an email with further newsletter, please contact Nikki. details and registration instructions in the coming weeks and are encouraged to explore the changes and update their profiles at their earliest convenience.

A communications platform captures both what HQP hope to gain out of being part of the Network and how OTN can grow from the experiences of its personnel. Upon publication, the Secretariat welcomes changes and suggestions to facilitate communication and collaboration among HQP from different Arenas and Themes.

10 11 Core funding for the OTN is provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Additional support comes from contributions by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and numerous other partners.