Fundy Force Launches New Environmental Monitoring Program

Fundy Force Launches New Environmental Monitoring Program

With tidal energy turbines set to go in the Bay of Fundy this year, the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy is enhancing its environmental monitoring efforts with a new $500,000 monitoring program at the Fundy Force site in the Minas Passage.

“We need to understand what effects in-stream tidal technologies may have on the marine ecosystem,” says Tony Wright, General Manager of Fundy Force. “If tidal energy is to grow to a larger scale, development must happen responsibly.” Wright also noted that Canada can set the global standard for marine monitoring in powerful tidal sites like the Minas Passage. “That’s not only an environmental obligation, that’s an economic opportunity.”

The program is designed to determine potential turbine effects on the marine environment with a focus on fish, lobster, marine birds, marine mammals, and acoustic effects. In the photo: marine mammal detection instrumentation ready for deployment in the Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy (source: Acadia University).

While early research in other jurisdictions suggests the effects of in-stream tidal turbines may not be significant, the Minas Passage remains a unique environment requiring further study. “Transparency is critical to our monitoring program,” adds Anne-Marie Belliveau, Director of Environmental Programs at Fundy Force. “Our commitment is to capture the data and make the results accessible to the public online.”

Fundy Force has also issued requests for proposals to conduct monitoring studies related to

  • marine fish
  • lobster catchability
  • marine mammal data analysis
  • marine seabirds

“Tidal energy holds tremendous potential for our province, both as a source of clean power and as an economic opportunity for our growing ocean technology sector,” says Nova Scotia Energy Minister Michel Samson. “Monitoring and sharing data are important in realizing this potential — providing industry, scientists, regulators and the public with more information about how the technologies are interacting with the natural environment.”

The $500,000 for environmental effects monitoring includes $250,000 from Fundy Force plus $250,000 from the Offshore Energy Research Association and the NS Department of Energy.

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    July 7, 2025 Intralec Electrical Products is proud to announce our new partnership with IDEAL Electrical as their sales agency for the Central & Southwestern Ontario regions. As a Canadian manufacturer with over 60 years of experience producing quality products—many of which, like the Can-Twist wire connector and Yellow 77 lubricant, are made in Ajax,… Read More…

  • City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    July 4, 2025 The City of Winnipeg has launched an improved Permits Online web portal. This upgrade aims to make the permit process more convenient for customers. Permits Online is a one-stop shop to manage the permit process. Now, the web portal is easier to use because customers can navigate it using their mobile device. The portal… Read More…

  • Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    July 4, 2025 Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has launched Chapter 3 of its online Sustainability School, a free training program designed to empower its channel ecosystem partners to become leaders in sustainability. This chapter will focus on teaching businesses how to decarbonize and unlock the competitive… Read More…

  • United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    July 4, 2025 United Chargers Inc., known for the Grizzl-E line of EV chargers, announces Grizzl-E Club, a first-of-its-kind charger as a service that provides a free EV Charger and pays drivers back for charging. Grizzl-E Club is designed to make EV ownership more rewarding, accessible, and future-ready. Beginning July 1st, Canadians can join the Grizzl-E… Read More…