Canadian Hydrographic Conference 2010 - Global Hydrographic issues discussed
in Quebec City from June 21 to 23, 2010
QUEBEC CITY, June 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Delimiting maritime boundaries, new technologies to improve navigational safety and efficiency and prevent incidents, and better knowledge of the St. Lawrence River will be among the issues addressed in Quebec City from June 21 to 23, 2010, at the 36th Canadian Hydrographic Conference (CHC 2010), which will bring together more than 300 participants from Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
"Our work and deliberations will definitely have an impact on a number of current issues, since the history of Canada, Quebec, and Quebec City is closely tied to hydrography. Hydrography plays a key role in better understanding the notoriously difficulties to navigate St. Lawrence River, for instance, or more accurately determining international borders, notably in the Arctic," said conference chair Robert Dorais.
Concrete examples
Recently the public has been concerned about low water levels in the St. Lawrence, a situation that obviously has a direct impact on maritime transportation and the supply of various goods and products. New technologies developed thanks to gains in knowledge give us a better understanding of the sea floor and its evolution, letting us better calculate windows of opportunity for efficient and safe navigation.
In the same vein, CHC 2010 will be a chance to capture never-before-seen images of the river and the Port of Québec. The 3D real-time images, comparable to those on Google Earth but for the sea floor, will be premiered at the conference.
Canada's Arctic boundaries have been making headlines recently. Thanks to state-of-the-art tools, in particular the development of autonomous submarine vehicles, it is now possible to collect much more accurate data by going directly below the ice instead of relying on previously used methods. Nevertheless, the Arctic remains an extremely demanding environment.
"Hydrography is more than a science-it's a necessity! This important gathering will allow us to chart the course we wish to take in the future to stay on the cutting edge and continue unraveling the mysteries of hydrography and the sea," concluded Mr. Dorais.
For further information: Jonathan Gendron, HKDP Communications and public affairs, Telephone: 418-523-3352, ext. 222, Cell: 418-929-2318, [email protected]; Source: Canadian Hydrographic Conference 2010
Share this article