Background

Ocean Networks Canada seeks advisement at two levels:

• Strategic advice from the International Science Advisory Board, reporting to ONC’s Chief Scientist
• Tactical advice from the Ocean Observatory Council, reporting to the User Engagement Division.

The Ocean Observatory Council is the result of merging the former NEPTUNE Canada and VENUS ocean observatory facilities under Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) in October 2013. The new user advisory structure subsumes 3 former committees (VENUS User Advisory Committee, NEPTUNE Canada User Committee, NEPTUNE Canada Science Planning Committee). 

Ocean Observatory Council

The Ocean Observatory Council represents the interests of major ONC science users and includes a formal group of members (below) and a variety of Working Groups, focused on particular topics and locations. Full History of Working Groups Activities.

Terms of Reference

Council Membership

The Ocean Observatory Council includes members representing the inshore and offshore research sectors plus representatives from ONC’s two major government partners, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Natural Resources Canada. Benoît Pirenne, ONC Director, User Engagement is an Ex Officio member of the Council. Council communications are facilitated by ONC's User Engagement Officer, Dwight Owens.

Current Members

	Roy Hyndman (Chair) Emeritus Senior Research Scientist, Pacific Geoscience Centre Geological Survey of Canada Interests: marine and margin geophysics, earthquakes, gas hydrates
	Alexandra Branzan Albu Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Victoria Interests: data science, computational processes, computer vision
	Eddy Carmack Emeritus Senior Research Scientist, Oceanography Institute of Ocean Sciences Interests: Physical oceanography, arctic oceanography
	Charles Hannah Senior Research Scientist, Physical Oceanography Fisheries & Oceans Canada Interests: Northern BC coastal monitoring, observation systems including gliders, moorings and drifters
	Philip Hill Emeritus Research Scientist, Sedimentology Geological Survey of Canada Interests:  Marine Spatial Planning, Earthquake Risk Assessment
	John Jamieson Assistant Professor, Earth Sciences Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Interests: Hydrothermal systems, volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, seafloor massive sulfide formation, geochemistry
	Sally Leys Professor, Biological Sciences University of Alberta Interests: Evolutionary biological oceanography, in particular the evolution of the first metazoan body plans
	Katleen Robert Assistant Professor, Marine Institute Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Interests: Seafloor and habitat mapping, ocean characterization, spatial ecology, acoustic surveying, image analysis, photogrammetry and ocean technology
​	Benjamin Tutolo Assistant Professor, Department of Geoscience University of Calgary Interests: Geochemistry, Chemical Sedimentology, Marine Chemistry
​	Svein Vagle Senior Scientist, Ocean Sciences Division, Institute of Ocean Sciences Fisheries and Oceans Canada Interests: Passive and active ocean acoustics, soundscapes, upper ocean processes