Latest News

Image of the Week

Posted Feb. 1 2010. Glass shrimp settling. Click here to explore our Galleries...

Latest Research

How can a small flatfish in Saanich Inlet help us understand the destabilization of an ecosystem in northern Europe? Read about Groundfish overfishing, diatom decline and the marine silica cycle – Lessons from Saanich Inlet, Canada and the Baltic Sea cod crash in Research Highlights.

Discover VENUS

VENUS is a cabled ocean observatory designed as an undersea laboratory for ocean researchers. Through this website, you can examine their research and see live ocean data. The Discover VENUS section contains information to orient you to the project and the website.

The Facility and Resource sections describe the concept of a cabled ocean observatory, show you what instruments are in use, and gives information on the various components of the system, including the data archiving system. Check out our February 2009 Cruise Gallery!

Multimedia

Browse multimedia in our new Multimedia Galleries or search the Multimedia Archive! You won't find live video here because keeping the lights on all the time at the dark sea bottom would disturb the environment.

Check out our new Pig gallery album; see the role of ocean scavengers in forensic investigations.

Data

VENUS delivers real time information from the seafloor via fibre optic cables connected to instruments to the University of Victoria, BC, where they are archived. Search the Data Archive page to find data that suit your interests.

The VENUS facility was designed by researchers from across Canada. The data available here can support researchers anywhere. The Research section presents a summary of current and planned projects and highlights recent discoveries.