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Amundsen Project

BREAKING NEW GROUND IN THE ARCTIC ICE

DR ALEXANDRE FOREST , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AMUNDSEN SCIENCE TELLS CMW ABOUT THE CCGS AMUNDSEN PROJECT
Canada over the last 17 years by becoming one of the main scientific platforms of the ArcticNet Network and supporting several national and international science programmes . Through mobilisation of the ship and departure / return from the expedition , thousands of scientists could visit and experiment Québec City by joining the annual CCGS Amundsen expedition every year .
“ Today , Québec City ’ s Université Laval is the strongest university in Canada in terms of Arctic research and soon , a building named Institut Nordique du Québec will be built on campus to host all the different Arctic science projects of Université Laval , including the Amundsen .”
WITH THE CONTINUED support of the CFI-MSI Fund and the Canadian Coast Guard , the CCGS Amundsen has become the most important research vessel in Canada , supporting multi-disciplinary programmes throughout the year extending from the St Lawrence River to the Arctic Ocean .
The CCGS Amundsen Canadian coastguard icebreaker , as it is today , was converted from a normal decommissioned icebreaker into a versatile scientific platform in 2003 . The scientific mandate of the ship , CCGS Amundsen , is managed by non-profit organisation , Amundsen
Science .
Dr Alexandre Forest , executive director of Amundsen Science explains how the project has been able to tap into Quebec ’ s existing knowledge and scientific research strengths and economy .
“ There was already a very strong expertise on ocean sciences and arctic sciences at Université Laval ( e . g . Centre d ’ Études Nordiques , Québec-Océan ). Moreover , Québec is hosting the Canadian Coast Guard base that is primarily leading Arctic operations .
“ The CCGS Amundsen became the catalyst of Arctic research in
Above : The CCGS Amundsen has let down its gang-plank to a host of global research scientists
Right : Events are key to keeping projects like Amundsen afloat
What are the spin-offs and results for industry and Québec and Canada ’ s economy from all the research work carried out by your team ? “ By doing oceanographic surveys from the St Lawrence River up to the very High Arctic every year , the Amundsen has produced a wealth of environmental and baseline data that are used to provide safer navigation ( bathymetric charts ), guide sustainable development of marine resources , understand the impact of climate change on the ocean , and plan for future marine protected areas .
“ A completely new generation of Arctic experts has also been trained within the framework of the Amundsen , which is now working at various places in society ( industry , tourism , government , universities ). Numerous jobs were created directly in Québec and across Canada thanks to the Amundsen . Some spin-offs were started as well , such as satellite remote sensing or marine biotechnology .”
Tell us a little about your international contacts and how you work with international scientists
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