Canadian partnership sets sail on smarter ocean monitoring
ASL Environmental Sciences has entered into a new collaboration with Open Ocean Robotics as part of the Air-Sea Ocean Monitoring System (ASOMS) project, an initiative partially funded by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. The partnership brings together ASL’s expertise in acoustic sensing and Open Ocean Robotics’ innovation in solar-powered surface vehicles, with the aim of exploring new possibilities for autonomous ocean monitoring.
At the centre of this effort is the integration of ASL’s Acoustic Zooplankton Fish Profiler (AZFP) into Open Ocean Robotics’ DataXplorer uncrewed surface vessels. The AZFP, a calibrated scientific echosounder, is typically deployed on moorings to deliver a multifrequency time series of data for periods exceeding a year.
Enhancing spatial and temporal coverage
By combining the AZFP’s long-term observational capabilities with the mobility and endurance of the DataXplorer, the project is demonstrating a more efficient, environmentally sustainable and safer method of gathering oceanographic data across remote and diverse marine environments.
The integrated system is designed to enhance both spatial and temporal coverage, with mobile surveys complementing the time-series records traditionally collected by moored AZFP units. It also incorporates advances in remote operation, including near real-time data streaming to shore and onboard artificial intelligence for data processing, enabling faster and more informed decision-making. With its ability to operate over long distances without human intervention, the platform supports continuous, responsible monitoring of marine ecosystems, contributing to better stewardship of ocean resources.
