The Arctic is a diverse and sensitive ecosystem with unique habitats, home to northern communities that rely on maritime transportation for food and supplies and a continually growing amount of shipping (i.e. 37% increase from 2013 to 2023 ¹). It is estimated that only 13% or less  of the Canadian Arctic has been sufficiently mapped to support Canada’s 100m resolution bathymetric data elevation model ². Ongoing mapping using modern techniques and equipment, such as high-resolution multibeam, is critical to ensure safe sailing routes and to identify changes to the marine environment in this important region.

NORBIT conducted hands-on training with the Northern and Arctic Coastal Research Lab at the Université du Québec à Rimouski, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Geography (UQAR) and Canadian Hydrographic Service, Quebec Region (CHS Quebec) to support their use of the iWBMS series of multibeam sonars. Both organisations have responsibilities and interests in the Canadian Arctic and the ultra-compact sonars were mobilised for survey during the ’24 field season and will be used by the groups to meet future mapping objectives. 

Survey areas (Google Maps):

Surveying in the Arctic presents various challenges, including short seasonal windows for surveys (typically July through October), travel to remote locations and minimal access to supporting resources once on site. The ability for UQAR and CHS Quebec personnel to travel with key survey equipment as checked luggage during air travel, such as the sonar kit with integrated positioning and motion sensor and portable mounting pole, minimises the risk of equipment being delayed after the survey team has arrived at the survey location. The integrated sonars with a portable mounting pole also allow them to rapidly mobilise (i.e. hours vs. days for a non-integrated system) to help maximise in-field data collection during the short survey season.

UQAR mobilising iWBMSe and PORTUS Pole, UQAR during survey operations, CHS Quebec hydrographers collecting data with NORBIT DCT ³.

CHS’ activities in the Canadian Arctic include the collection of multibeam data to prepare and update nautical charts for navigable waterways and key navigational routes, including Primary and Secondary Northern Low-Impact Shipping Corridors, for the safe passage of maritime traffic. In addition to securing shipping corridors, since 2022, CHS has been working with Indigenous and coastal communities as part of the ‘Community Hydrography Program’ to collect up-to-date bathymetric data. These efforts enhance the understanding of nearshore areas and support the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) ⁴. To acquire new seabed data, CHS supports program partners in the autonomous use of bathymetric data loggers (i.e. singlebeam echo sounders) and the mobilisation of portable NORBIT multibeam sonars in the communities to engage in collaborative surveys. This collaboration also covers knowledge transfer to local groups with hands-on experience on the use of the equipment, as well as the rapid turnaround of community maps for nearshore hunting and fishing areas.

The work of UQAR’s researchers, community members and students has a different focus to increase the understanding of the Arctic and environment. The multibeam is used to acquire high-resolution seabed data as part of their efforts to study coastal hazards and glaciers. By combining bathymetric data with drone surveys UQAR is able to create seamless ‘topobathy’ elevation models to monitor and evaluate changes to the landscape due to erosion, sedimentation processes and ship wake. Data is also collected to map marine terminating glaciers and evaluate changes. This helps to identify the impact of melting glaciers and ice on ocean water and the formation of different layers due to temperature and salinity. This valuable information is also used to assess the effects on the local hunting areas of communities.

The work of UQAR and CHS highlights two distinct and important applications for modern, high-resolution seabed data. At the same time, there is a unique crossover in their efforts to ‘Explore More’ to obtain a better understanding of the region and to share information with the local communities of the Canadian Arctic.

References:

1. Arctic Shipping Update, Arctic Council, January 2024 (https://arctic-council.org/news/increase-in-arctic-shipping/).
2. From volunteer ping to community map–The CHS’ Community Hydrography Program, The International Hydrographic Review, Volume 30(2),May 2024 (https://ihr.iho.int/articles/from-volunteer-ping-to-community-map-the-chs-community-hydrography-program/).
3. Images courtesy of Canadian Hydrographic Service, Quebec Region and the Northern and Arctic Coastal Research Lab at Université du Québec à Rimouski, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Geography.
4. Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area (MPA), Government of Canada, January 2025 (https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/mpa-zpm/anguniaqvia-niqiqyuam/index-eng.html)

A special thanks to:
The Arctic surveys were made possible and conducted in partnership with Sanikiluakq Hunters and Trappers Association (SHTA), Arctic Eider Society (AES) and Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee.