December 4, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(HALIFAX, NS) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced five new ocean innovation projects valued at $34.5 million, including the $6.5 million WhisperLoop Project led by Sensor Technology.
WhisperLoop is an AI-powered underwater acoustic monitoring system that combines machine learning with a compact towed hydrophone array, enabling autonomous and uncrewed vessels to detect, classify, and characterize marine acoustic sources in real time.
The project is led by Collingwood, ON-based Sensor Technology in partnership with Turbulent Research in Halifax, NS, Mostar Labs in Victoria, BC, and Opti9 Technologies in Ottawa, ON. With a total project value of $6.5 million, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is investing $2.5 million, with the balance of funding coming from project partners.
This project strengthens academia–industry collaboration in AI innovation, supports ocean conservation, marine mammal protection, and acoustic pollution assessment, and incorporates Indigenous knowledge for sustainable environmental stewardship. The WhisperLoop technology advances Canada’s leadership in ocean AI and bolsters capabilities in marine monitoring and defence systems – especially significant as Canada increases focus on building capacity and made in Canada solutions to support maritime security.
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made in Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy and the projected benefits to Canada here.
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Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved about 150 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. Every dollar invested in Ocean Supercluster projects generates more than five times its value in GDP contribution, with the following economic benefits to Canada as of March 2025:
- $1.7 billion in total economic output
- $1 billion in GDP contribution
- Nearly $748 million in total labour income
- Close to 10,000 jobs created
- $286 million in total tax revenues generated
- $295 million in follow-on investment raised
Quotes
“The innovation and collaboration fostered by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster demonstrate our government’s commitment to building a stronger and more resilient ocean economy. These projects in clean energy, digital and AI adoption, and marine sustainability will drive economic opportunities across the country and help strengthen Canada’s position as a world leader in the blue economy.” – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“Canada’s new government is driving economic growth through ocean innovation. Clean technologies, advanced marine solutions, and cutting-edge research are creating opportunities that strengthen coastal communities and position Canada as a global leader in the sustainable ocean economy.” – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova
“WhisperLoop is an example of how Canadian innovation is transforming ocean technology with dual-use solutions that not only contribute to our competitiveness but also our capacity in security. By integrating AI with advanced acoustic monitoring, we’re creating solutions that improve environmental stewardship, strengthen marine safety, and open new global market opportunities.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“WhisperLoop is intended to detect sooner, characterize with confidence, and help operators make faster decisions, all with a smaller SWaP footprint and energy efficient edge AI.” James Hicks, President, Sensor Technology Ltd