IPY Activity #640
The Arctic Arena of the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN)
Activity leaders
Ron O’Dor, CORE, Washington D.C.,
Michael Stokesbury, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Terry Dick, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Project goals
The OTN will monitor movements of nearly any marine species using individually coded, active-acoustic telemetry tags and collect physical oceanographic data on temperatures, salinity and currents at key locations in the Arctic Archipelago. In the context of Arctic warming, documenting movements of key species from squid and fish to marine mammals now is crucial to understand how they interact with present ocean physics and predict how future changes will impact humans and ecosystems.
Geographic focus
Pan Arctic
Taxonomic focus
Most migratory marine species traveling through Arctic waters, range extensions and animal/environment interactions, with a focus on those feeding at higher trophic levels
Countries involved in activity
Pan-Arctic scope, at minimum Canada, United States, Greenland, Russian, and European Union
Expedition dates and vessels
Collaboration with DFO/Coast Guard for equipment deployment, 7/08 – 12/09
