Canadian and European experts in polar observation are teaming up to establish a new partnership that will see Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) operating a subsea observatory at the Spanish Antarctic Station, providing year-round, near real-time data on ocean conditions there. This marks the first time that ONC will extend its ocean monitoring outside Canadian waters.

The partnership between ONC, a University of Victoria initiative, and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) aims to advance scientific understanding of the Southern Ocean, or the Antarctic Ocean, which is one of the most under-observed parts of the planet.

The Spanish polar research vessel Hespérides is enroute to the Spanish Antarctic Station (BAE), Juan Carlos I, located on Livingston Island in the South Shetlands Archipelago north of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is also carrying two ONC deep-sea Argo floats that will be deployed during transit in the Southern Ocean.

The Hespérides, which departed Barcelona last fall, is scheduled to depart the Argentina port at Ushuaia this week and reach BAE Juan Carlos I in Antarctica later this month. The vessel is set to transport the ONC observatory and contribute to the expansion of polar scientific collaboration.

ONC President and Chief Executive Officer Kate Moran expressed the significance of this partnership, stating, ‘Ocean Networks Canada has been monitoring Arctic conditions since 2012 through its network of Indigenous community-led and remote coastal observatories. ONC’s expertise in designing and successfully operating underwater observatories able to withstand harsh polar conditions will contribute to Spain’s scientific efforts in the Antarctic Ocean.’