01 | Context

Deep Sea Exploration

Oceana Canada partners with researchers, non-governmental organizations, the federal government, Indigenous peoples, and the fishing industry to study sensitive marine habitats and advocate for their protection. This is essential for the future of our planet: it supports healthy, productive ecosystems, and the recovery of depleted fish populations that coastal communities depend on.

Recently, Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada embarked on a journey into the Gulf of St. Lawrence to research the seafloor. In one of the world’s deepest and largest estuaries, the scientific team explored the undersea landscapes of the Laurentian Channel North and South, the American Bank, and the Cape Breton Trough using a state-of-the-art submersible robot known as the ROPOS.

Keywords: Canada; DFO; Indigenous peoples; Oceana Canada; ROPOS

02 | Photography

The ROPOS, a state-of-the-art underwater robot that can collect samples and scientific data as well as high definition video while submerged, is lifted by a crane and positioned in place to enter the sea from Martha L. Black during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Martha L. Black at sea seen from the Leeway Odyssey during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Alexandra Cousteau, Senior Oceana Advisor and Robert Rangeley, Director of Science for Oceana Canada, watch the ROPOS be depolyed during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Onboard the Martha L. Black, Robert Rangeley (right), Director of Science at Oceana Canada and Alexandra Cousteau, Senior Oceana Advisor, inspect the ROPOS after a dive. The ROPOS is a state-of-the-art underwater robot that can collect samples and scientific data as well as high definition video while submerged during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Onboard Martha L. Black, a crew member inspects the ROPOS. The ROPOS is a state-of-the-art underwater robot that can collect samples and scientific data as well as high definition video while submerged during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Master Larry Hickey onboard Leeway Odyssey during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Devan Archibald from Oceana Canada onboard Leeway Odyssey during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Master Larry Hickey onboard Leeway Odyssey after departing from Halifax for the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The Expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Director of Science Robert Rangeley from Oceana Canada narrates the live feed recording during media day on the Gulf of St. Lawrence expedition.
Inside the ROPOS Command Centre, pilot X operates the submerged ROPOS during a dive streaming live video. The ROPOS is a state-of-the-art underwater robot that can collect samples and scientific data as well as high definition video while submerged during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Inside the ROPOS command centre, Mireille Chiasson from DFO monitors the live stream from the deployed ROPOS. The ROPOS is a state-of-the-art underwater robot that can collect samples and scientific data as well as high definition video while submerged during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Ocean School Youth Ambassador Isabelle Hurley (left) with scientist Boris Worm from Ocean School and Dalhousie University onboard Martha L. Black watch a live stream video from the deployed ROPOS, a state-of-the-art underwater robot that can collect samples and scientific data as well as high definition video while submerged during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Leeway Odyssey team members prepare to transport people to the Martha L. Black during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Leeway Odyssey Deck Foreman Geoff Ryan and Steve Girard prepare for a passenger exchange during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Martha L. Black at sea seen from the Odyssey, during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Martha L. Black (with ROPOS) and the Odyssey carrying our a two vessel expedition in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Martha L. Black was responsible for deploying the ROPOS and the Odyssey was responsible for pelagic surveys. The data collected from both vessels serve the purpose of complementing the scientific discoveries.
A-frame stern perspective of the Leeway Odyssey at sea off the coast of Nova Scotia. the coast of Nova Scotia.
Deck Crew Steve Girard uses a zodiac for passenger transfer between the Odyssey and Martha L. Black during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.Canada.
Biologist Holly Hoggan from Canadian Wildlife Services (Environment Canada) conducts bird surveys inside a look out box onboard Leeway Odyssey during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The Expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Biologist Holly Hoggan from Canadian Wildlife Services (Environment Canada) onboard Leeway Odyssey during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The Expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Biologist Holly Hoggan from Canadian Wildlife Services (Environment Canada) onboard Leeway Odyssey during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The Expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Ladder on the Leeway Odyssey used during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Stern perspective of the Leeway Odyssey at night in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Stern perspective of the Leeway Odyssey.
2nd Engineer Jonathan Whitson in the engine room onboard Leeway Odyssey during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Deck Foreman Geoff Ryan onboard Leeway Odyssey ties together a gangway net during the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The Expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.
Deck Foreman Geoff Ryan onboard Leeway Odyssey before departing from Halifax for the Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition. The Expedition is a joint venture between Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nova Scotia.