-- Canadian Preface --
Unfortunately, in these times of economic restraint, it is not very often that federal managers
get the opportunity to support a highly relevant and focused program that is also stimulating and
exciting. The Arctic Ocean Section provided such an opportunity, and the scientific planners
made sure that the documentation and justification were impeccable. Now that the expedition has
returned and the expectations justified, it is easy to be self-congratulatory. However, without the
considerable groundwork that had been accomplished over a period of several years, nothing would
have happened.
The science plan made sure that maximum use would be made of the platform availability by
considering the broadest possible coverage of issues and disciplines. The legitimacy of the scientific
program was ensured through clear identification of the application of the anticipated results.
Even the logistics and the use of the icebreakers were folded into the science, through programs
dealing with such issues as ice strength, navigation forecasts and hull stresses. Forearmed with
these strong arguments for potential benefits and creative science, the fiscal obstacles proved to
have been surmountable. Despite the considerable difficulties faced, almost all of the anticipated
work was accomplished.
The contents of this report speak, more eloquently than I could possibly hope to describe, on
the success of the mission and the considerable analysis still to be undertaken. It remains for me to
dedicate my thanks to the enormous amount of less exciting, but very necessary planning that laid
the foundation for the funding and approval process.
G.L. Holland
Director General
Oceans Science Directorate
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Canada
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