Governance

The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is a global aquatic research, data management and partnership platform headquartered at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

OTN is guided by a governing council whose members are appointed by the host institution, Dalhousie University.

OTN Council

The OTN Council provides independent, external stewardship of OTN on behalf of Dalhousie University, CFI, and other OTN stakeholders. The Council is composed of members with leadership experience in government, industry, academia, and the non-profit sector. Council members share their expertise to guide OTN and keep the organization accountable to its strategic plan and mandate.

Doug Bliss, OTN Council Chair
Zdenka Willis (Vice-Chair), Veraison Consulting
Alice B. Aiken*, Dalhousie University
Shelley Denny, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources
Bruce Hancock, Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Jim Hanlon, Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship
Peter Harrison, Queen’s University
Charles Macdonald, Dalhousie University
Christine Penney, Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
Louie Porta, Oceans North
Marlies Rise*, Research Services, Dalhousie University
Marc Trudel, St. Andrews Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Sara Iverson*, OTN
Fred Whoriskey*, OTN
Evelien VanderKloet*, OTN
*non-voting members

Advisory committees

OTN Council receives input and guidance from four main advisory committees:

International Data Management Committee (IDMC)

The IDMC ensures the OTN data management model is implemented reliably and effectively. The IDMC advises OTN on changes to data processes and policies to ensure they align with internationally recognized standards for data management. Membership includes representatives from regional and partner nodes and networks, and data management experts from around the world.

Joy Young (Chair), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Mat Biddle, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Integrated Ocean Observing System
Catalina Gomez, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Fabrice Jaine, Integrated Marine Observing System
Catherine Jardine, National Data Centre for Birds Canada
Reyna Jenkyns, World Data System International Technology Office
Taryn Murray, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
Jan Reubens, Vlaams Instituut Voor De Zee
Frank Smith, Innovasea
Frederick Whoriskey*, Ocean Tracking Network
Jonathan Pye*, Ocean Tracking Network
Evelien VanderKloet*, Ocean Tracking Network
Robert Lennox*, Ocean Tracking Network
*Ex-officio

International Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC)

The ISAC’s role is to guide, advise, and integrate the planning of Canadian and international research activities and direction. The ISAC identifies strategic scientific and funding opportunities and supports the development of collaborative research initiatives that align with OTN’s mandate.

Steve Cooke (Chair), Carleton University
Aaron Fisk, University of Windsor
Michelle Heupel, Integrated Marine Observing System
Scott Hinch, University of British Columbia
Nigel Hussey, University of Windsor
Sara Iverson, Dalhousie University
Megan McKinzie, MBARI
Joanna Mills Flemming, Dalhousie University
Taryn Murray, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
Jean-Marc Nicolas, NS Power/Emera
Vivian Nguyen, Carleton University
Chris Vandergoot, Michigan State University and Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System
Kim Whoriskey, Early Career Researcher

Deployment Committee

The Deployment Committee provides scientific and technical evaluations to project proposals in which the request for OTN loan equipment exceeds five units. It consists of the Scientific and/or Executive Director, Senior Operations Manager, a representative from both the Project Management and Field Operations team, and a minimum of three external reviewers. External reviewers are selected by the project management team in consultation with the Scientific and Executive Directors, based on their expertise in the proposed area of research. These reviewers provide feedback to OTN on the proposal’s scientific objectives and relevance to advancing the global network. Evaluations from the deployment committee determine if a proposal is successful, conditionally approved pending revisions, or declined.

Project Facilitation Committee

The Project Facilitation Committee’s purpose is to ensure that the OTN is properly supported and facilitated by OTN’s host institution, Dalhousie University, and that it is managed responsibly in accordance with funding agency guidelines and Dalhousie regulations and policies. The committee meets on a quarterly basis and is comprised of the following individuals or designates: Associate Vice President Research, Oceans (chair); Dean of Science; Associate Vice President Research; Assistant Vice-President, Research Services; Director, Finance and Operations (Research Services); Associate Director, Research Accounting; Manager, Institutional and International Programs (Research Services); Executive Director, OTN; Scientific Director, OTN; Senior Operations Manager, OTN; and the Finance Manager, OTN.

General inquiries
+1 902 494 4101
otn@dal.ca

Data Centre
otndc@dal.ca

Media Contact
anja.samardzic@dal.ca

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