Risk Assessment Program

Research partners that include FORCE, Ocean Tracking Network, the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group, Acadia University, Marine Renewables Canada and several Mi’kmaw and local fishers have begun work on a “risk assessment program” (RAP) to gauge the probability that fish will encounter a tidal energy device. RAP is building a high-resolution radar network to map waterflow in the Minas Passage as well as gathering the largest fish data set on fish movement in the Bay of Fundy.

Lobster baseline study

As part of FORCE’s ongoing research, the team is working on a lobster baseline study to help measure any effects tidal energy devices may have on the marine ecosystem and specifically commercial lobster catches. Lobsters will be captured using experimental traps and assessed for health, measured, and tagged before being released back into the ocean to track their journey.

Real time data collection

The VITALITY project involves the deployment of a subsea platform that is cabled to shore and offers real time data collection on harbour porpoise location, current speeds, as well as a camera and light to see marine life swimming by the platform. Once deployed, the platform will stream data to CIOOS making it easily accessible to researchers, government agencies, coastal communities, ocean industries, First Nations, and non-governmental organizations.