Salish Sea Expedition brings floating science centre to Inner Harbour
Landlubbers and others will be able to experience firsthand how ocean science solves mysteries in their own marine "backyard" when the Canadian Coast Guard ship Vector sails into the Inner Harbour, Friday, Oct. 22 to mark National Science and Technology Week.
A one-of-a-kind floating science project, the Salish Sea Expedition is the result of an exceptional collaboration between Natural Resources Canada, Royal Roads University, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the National Research Council, Ocean Networks Canada and the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre.
Free public tours of the CCGS Vector are scheduled to run from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m., starting at Ship Point. Visitors will meet scientists face-to-face and see equipment used to reveal secrets of the Salish Sea - from its temperature, salinity and oxygen content to the zooplankton it contains and seismic information about what lies below the seafloor.
Chief scientist on the Salish Sea Expedition is Phil Hill of Natural Resources Canada. His area of expertise involves the use of sound signals to survey submarine landscapes for accumulations of sediment in order to determine the potential for underwater landslides.
By the time the CCGS Vector gets to town on Friday, it will have also visited Camp Elphinstone near Gibsons on Oct. 18, Powell River on Oct. 19, Campbell River on Oct. 20 and Ganges on Oct. 21.
"By raising awareness of ocean science and showcasing careers and university programs focused on the environment, we'll demonstrate how everyone can play a part in sustaining coastal communities through education and training," says Audrey Dallimore, an assistant professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at Royal Roads University.
Dallimore is chief scientist on several research ventures aboard the CCGS Vector and received a $24,000 PromoScience grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to support this project.
"Our focus will be to demonstrate marine research in an engaging and interactive way," says Steve Romaine, one of the expedition's participating scientists from DFO's Institute of Ocean Sciences. "We look forward to discussing topics such as water properties and demonstrating a rosette sampler."
On Thursday, Oct. 21, everyone is also invited to celebrate National Science and Technology Week with a free talk on Aboriginal clam gardens in the Salish Sea by geologist John Harper. Hosted by the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney, this event begins at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30.
Every year, National Science and Technology Week provides an exciting environment where people of all ages, in particular children and young adults, may engage in science and technology and interact with science professionals.
RELATED LINKS:
http://www.SalishSea.nrcan.gc.ca
http://blogs.science.gc.ca/salish/
http://www.science.gc.ca
http://www.oceandiscovery.ca/events/lecture-series
For media queries, contact:
Communications Officer, Phil Saunders
phil.saunders@royalroads.ca 250-391-2526, cel 250-812-5065
