Backgrounder: Ottawa invests in ocean commercialization centre

A University of Victoria initiative, Ocean Networks Canada operates world-class cabled ocean observatories off the west coast of British Columbia and in the Arctic. Using a broad suite of subsea instruments from coastal to deep-ocean environments, the observatories collect data on physical, chemical, biological and geological aspects of the ocean over long time periods, supporting research on complex Earth processes in ways not previously possible.

ONC is leading the global community of cabled ocean observatories and contributes significantly to the international ocean research and observing enterprise by providing infrastructure below the seafloor, on the seafloor, and in the water column in a wide range of ocean environments.

The Ocean Networks Canada Innovation Centre, a federal Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, leverages the advanced technologies of the VENUS, NEPTUNE and Cambridge Bay observatories for the benefit of Canadian industry.

Positioning Canadian industry in the forefront of ocean research and technology

First funded by the CECR program from 2009 to 2014 with $6.5 million, the ONC Centre for Enterprise and Engagement (ONCCEE) set out to leverage technologies and know-how from the world’s first multi-node cabled undersea observatories to advance Canada’s ocean industry sector around the world.

Canada’s ocean technology industry comprises many small and medium-sized firms as well as many regionally based research and development organizations. To generate growth in this sector, the Innovation Centre has:

• Launched the Ocean Technology Industry Network and Ocean Technology Alliance Canada (OTAC) to promote national networking and mutually beneficial initiatives among 184 diverse ocean industry-related groups, from sea to sea.
• Established international collaborations and partnerships, including the National Oceanography Centre (UK), Alliance for Coastal Technologies (US), National Research Council (Italy), National Institute of Geology and Vulcanology (Italy), Consortium on Ocean Leadership (US), National Ocean Technology Center (China), and Korean Institute of Geophysics and Minerals.

Expanding global relationships for the Canadian ocean technology sector

In January 2013, ONC’s business team was renamed the ONC Innovation Centre. Its primary focus is to achieve sustainability by strengthening existing partners and building new ones in four market segments:

• sensor technology
• ocean observing systems
• digital infrastructure
• ocean analytics

Its primary goal is to deliver $270 million in business in Canada over seven years. At the beginning of 2014, $18 million in international contracts are currently under negotiation through the Innovation Centre; 33 international projects have been identified totaling almost $3 billion, including both research and industry applications.

During 2013, the Innovation Centre’s accomplishments included:

• Hosting trade missions and research teams from Italy, US, Spain, China, and Korea, with five new agreements signed
• Leading international trade missions to Brazil, China and India to initiate relationships with new markets
• Establishing partnerships with EU, Brazil, Korea, China and India—rapidly expanding economics with a focus on the marine sector—to support market opportunities for Canadian industry
• Helping companies participating in our technology acceleration program to post significant increases in product sales, for example: ASL Environmental Sciences (Sidney BC), Ocean Sonics (Great Village, NS) and OceanWorks International (Burnaby, BC).

Strengthening Canada’s leadership with Smart Ocean Systems™

Smart Oceans Systems™ is the next phase in the world-class Ocean Networks Canada system to deliver science and information for informed ocean management and responsible ocean use, including:
• Marine safety (monitoring and providing alerts on sea state, ship traffic and marine mammals)
• Public safety (providing natural hazard warning for earthquake ground-shaking and tsunamis)
• Environmental protection (providing baseline information of critical areas—necessary for science-based decision making—and real-time environmental observations for managing accidents should they occur)
From Scott McLean, Director of the ONC Innovation Centre:

“We really have a unique business model. In Canada, we facilitate the advancement of ocean technologies by demonstrating them on our cabled ocean observing networks and we facilitate industry networking across the country. Internationally, we use our expertise in Smart Ocean Systems to help groups establish these new technology systems to address their applications. We host and lead trade missions and workshops to establish partnerships in other countries. We then do follow-up visits, establishing collaborative projects and long term relationships between clients, ourselves and industry. It’s a win-win for all parties.”