Partners

The pilot program is co-implemented by the Hakai Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and The Ocean Foundation in support of the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Group on Ocean Observation.

The GEM-in-a-Box project idea began when The Ocean Foundation met with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to discuss replicating their model of the all-in-one ocean acidification monitoring equipment set (“GOA-ON in a Box kit”) coupled with accessible methodologies for other parameters. DFO and TOF secured initial funding from Allen Family Philanthropies, and the idea gained sealegs. DFO, as champion of the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Group on Ocean Observation, developed the composition of the kit to be able to meet quality standards, with input on accessibility and feasibility of procurement and subsequent international distribution by TOF.  Canada’s Institute of Ocean Sciences conducted initial testing, and once the kit proved to meet the project goals, nine kit recipient teams were selected to lead the next phase of assessment, testing how the set of equipment, training, and support enabled them to meet their research goals.

The Tula Foundation was approached to be a partner in the GEM initiative, to provide expertise and training on the instrumentation, and to support the participants with data-management support and mentoring beyond the training workshop. It is anticipated that Tula will remain involved beyond the pilot project, and the team is hopeful that additional funding will be secured to support additional cohorts and purchase more GEM-in-a-Box kits for global distribution.