Ocean Sonics Partners with SOI Foundation to Empower Young Researchers with Advanced Hydrophone Technology
Iqaluit, Nunavut, August 6, 2024 – Ocean Sonics, a global leader in underwater acoustic technology, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Students On Ice (SOI) Foundation. This collaboration aims to enhance students’ and researchers’ understanding of underwater listening by providing them access to Ocean Sonics’ icListen, a real-time smart digital hydrophone.
As part of this partnership, Ocean Sonics will equip the SOI’s 2024 Blue Futures Pathways Expedition with the icListen hydrophone, a powerful tool for capturing and analyzing underwater sounds. This technology will allow students and researchers to explore and document the rich acoustic environments of the Labrador Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, from marine wildlife vocalizations to the impact of climate change on underwater soundscapes.
“We are thrilled to partner with the SOI Foundation and support their mission to inspire and educate the next generation of ocean stewards,” said Mark Wood, CEO and Founder of Ocean Sonics. “The icListen hydrophone is designed to provide clear, precise underwater acoustic data, making it an invaluable resource for understanding our oceans. We look forward to seeing how SOI will use this technology to deepen their knowledge and contribute to global marine conservation efforts.”
The SOI Foundation, renowned for its innovative educational programs and polar expeditions, provides youth with unique hands-on opportunities to learn about the Arctic, Antarctic and places in between. As an endorsed UN Action for the Ocean Decade, the foundation’s Blue Futures Pathways Expedition will unite young people (aged 18-35) from across Canada with Indigenous knowledge-holders, scientists, industry professionals, and artists to explore various career pathways within the Sustainable Blue Economy.
The inclusion of the icListen hydrophone in their program will enhance experiential learning, allowing participants to engage directly with the underwater world and develop practical skills in marine acoustics. Students onboard the ship-based expedition will get firsthand experience using this innovative technology through real world applications between Iqaluit and St. John’s, equipping them with skills and knowledge to pursue career pathways within the ocean and water sectors.
“The partnership with Ocean Sonics gives our participants access to state of the art technology which enhances their learning opportunities. They can better understand how data collected from hydrophones like the icListen can be used to address specific research and monitoring needs,” said Anna Naylor, SOI Foundation Program Manager. “Using the icListen hydrophone, our participants will be able to survey the underwater environment in critical marine areas, enhancing their field work and giving them a larger data set.”
Ocean Sonics and the SOI Foundation are committed to fostering a deeper understanding of the ocean’s role in global ecosystems and the challenges it faces. By providing access to advanced acoustic technology, this partnership aims to inspire the next generation of oceanographers, marine biologists, and environmental advocates.
About Ocean Sonics:
Ocean Sonics is an innovative leader in underwater listening. Established with a deep-rooted commitment to giving the oceans a voice, Ocean Sonics combines simplicity, accuracy, and reliability to develop unrivalled products. Our flagship product, the icListen, is a real-time smart digital hydrophone designed and crafted for users in the Ocean Science, Energy, Defense, Maritime Transportation, Aquaculture and Fisheries sectors.
About Students On Ice (SOI) Foundation/Blue Futures Pathways:
SOI is at the forefront of expeditionary education, offering transformative experiences to diverse youth worldwide. Our expeditions to the Polar Regions and places in between unite youth and educators, foster lasting connections, and encourage global citizenship. Our mission is to provide transformative experiences that educate, inspire, connect, and empower youth. For more information, visit soifoundation.org.
Blue Futures Pathways, an initiative of the SOI Foundation, is a bilingual program that connects young people aged 15-35 with education, employment and funding opportunities that inspire and support them in exploring successful careers in the emerging Sustainable Blue Economy. In line with SOI’s mandate, Blue Futures Pathways (BFP) places particular emphasis on under-represented and Indigenous young people, and activities that support those in remote and rural areas. BFP also offers partner organizations a platform to communicate opportunities, as well as support to employers and educators wishing to engage and retain young people along their pathways. BFP is an officially endorsed action of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
