Assessing under what conditions low-cost sensors can provide adequate monitoring of ocean acidification (OA) to help industries and communities adapt to OA.
Project Dates: January, 2022 – March 31, 2026
Funding Amount: $531,000
Number of Student Researchers: 5
Project Summary
The initial project helped the CoP engage Canadian aquaculture operators and develop a low-cost alternative to expensive sensors capable of real-time data output. The development of this low-cost sensor option enhanced deployment and provide immediate cost savings for all aquaculture producers while also providing animal health and food safety benefits. Aligning our project with the CoP enables NIC to ensure that the latest academic and industry innovations are translated to our industry partners, resulting in early adoption opportunities for new technology that will support increased production.
The second project will see North Island College (NIC) and the University of Calgary (UCalgary) deploy an ocean acidification sensor package that combines high-quality, established sensor technology with new lower-cost sensors. This will assess the relative performance of lower-cost options and determine their effectiveness for use by stakeholders in BC . Real time access to data describing changing oceanographic and meteorological conditions is critical for effective management of modern aquaculture operations (Cater, 2008). An oceanographic sensor system allows the end user to interpret and act upon live data to ensure the best commercial outcome for their farm . This may improve growth rates, quality of product, and survival of animals, thus improving farm profit and strengthening BC food security. Many aquaculture operators, coastal communities, and First Nations have constitutionally protected rights to traditional harvests and are based on or around Vancouver Island. It is imperative to future-proof this region through the installation of readily accessible sensor arrays and subsequent services such as the hardware, software, and data storage required to manage such a system.
Additionally, the development of robust and accessible sensor technology provides data to inform evidence-based decision making alongside Traditional Ecological Knowledge to further our understanding about the OAH landscape in BC waters. Testing of these sensors in collaboration with industry partners enables us to strengthen collaboration and partnership, while serving to further inform and educate industry partners on the current state of OAH knowledge.
Research Team
Logan Zeinert, Senior Research Technician
Logan hails from New Zealand but completed his master’s degree at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador. Logan has extensive marine surveying and aquaculture research experience and is an accomplished diver. Logan’s work on kelp has involved permitting sites, determining yields and biomass, planning hatcheries, and processing harvested kelp.
Dr. Brent Else, Associate Professor – University of Calgary
Brent Else is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary. He is co-Scientific Director of MEOPAR, a marine science network with pan-Canadian and international scope, and Associate Director of the Arctic Institute of North America, Canada’s first and longest-lived Arctic research institute. His research interests include greenhouse gas cycles in high-latitude aquatic environments, ocean acidification, sea ice biogeochemistry, and remote sensing. He is also working on research projects that increase access to relevant scientific data for Indigenous communities. At the University of Calgary he teaches courses on Meteorology, Hydrology, Oceanography, and Statistics.
Amber Stroeder, Researcher
Amber is a Biology Instructor and Marine Biologist. She has worked as: a consultant, an academic researcher, and a marine educator with several environmental organizations. She has a background in aquaculture and has previously done field and lab work measuring and sorting algal species, bivalves, and crustaceans. Amber worked at the Vancouver Aquarium as a curriculum coordinator and the Monterey Bay Aquarium as an aquarist doing animal husbandry. She has worked in partnership with the Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation and the Kwiakah, Lekwala speaking peoples, developing educational material. When not at work she enjoys volunteering with environmental organizations to help restore and protect local habitats.
Tel: Port Alberni Campus 250-724-8718, Comox Valley Campus 250-334-5000
Scott McGregor, Researcher
Scott is a professional Physicist with a background in physics, mathematics and environmental engineering. A lifelong love of teaching led Scott to return to instructing physics at North Island College in 2019. For the previous 15 years, Scott worked as an Environmental Scientist in the field of environmental engineering. During this time, he conducted and managed environmental investigations, remediation planning and hydrogeological investigations.
Zachary Toews, Student Researcher
Zak is a student researcher and an aspiring engineer at North Island College who can often be found deep in his studies of the Engineering Foundations Certificate program. He has a passion for design and enjoys the outdoors. As a mature student, he tries to bring his workforce experience from many years in construction to the front of his efforts.
Alex Badzio-George, Student Researcher
Alex Badzio-George has lived in Campbell River most of his life. Because he has always enjoyed learning about math and science, he is working towards his Bachelor of Engineering, which he started at NIC. Working with CARTI has given Alex the opportunity to apply what he’s learned in the classroom and learn new engineering skills.
William Badzio-George, Student Researcher
William grew up in Campbell River and is an avid student of mathematics and chemistry. He is going into his second year of university transfer studies at NIC as a dual admissions student with UVic, where he will complete his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and math. He is grateful to have this opportunity to expand his skill set and gain early research experience.
Harvin Narayan, Student Researcher
Eduardo Mendez, Student Research Assistant
Partners
