Mar 5, 2019

The two organizations share mutual goals when it comes to the pursuit of public engagement about the ocean. The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to recognize opportunities for mutual support regarding public outreach and informal education. The two groups will be exploring different ways to help expand public education about ocean literacy and ocean technology in Canada for the benefit of both organizations.

David Leverton, Executive Director of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia (MMBC) stated that, “this is an exciting development for us at a time when we are trying to expand our operations to not only serve the citizens of Greater Victoria but also fellow Canadians in other parts of the province and country. We live in an unparalleled time in the history of our planet and our country when our environment is feeling the impacts of climate change. Anything we can do to increase public awareness about the importance of studying and protecting our ocean environments is in the interest of everyone who cares about life on Earth. Canada has the longest coastline of any country and is bordered by three oceans, which makes this a very big job. We are pleased to be able to work together on this important endeavor.”

“Ocean Networks Canada partners with museums and public engagement organizations across the country to increase ocean literacy and share the power of ocean technology to help us better understand the ocean environment. We look forward to new opportunities through this collaboration with the Maritime Museum”, Maia Hoeberechts, Associate Director, Learning and Community Engagement.

The University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada monitors the west and east coasts of Canada and the Arctic to continuously deliver data in real-time for scientific research that helps communities, governments and industry make informed decisions about our future. Using cabled observatories, remote control systems and interactive sensors, and big data management ONC enables evidence-based decision-making on ocean management, disaster mitigation, and environmental protection.
 
MMBC is a not-for-profit organization established to preserve and promote the maritime heritage of British Columbia and to engage people with this ongoing story. A visit to the Maritime Museum of BC is a chance for the whole family to experience British Columbia’s marine heritage. The museum presents evening talks and craft workshops that look at maritime history in unique and creative ways.  Also offered are educational programs on topics such as immigration, pirates and privateers, women at sea, and the fur trade. After your adventures at the MMBC, embark on your own voyage and add to the story.