Located on the northern end of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Orcalab was started by Dr. Paul Spong on Hanson Island in 1970. With hydrophones strategically placed at various locations near Hanson Island and in Johnstone Strait, the communications of the orcas are transmitted over FM frequencies back to lab on Hanson Island where personal record and track the northern resident orcas. When Explore.org got involved with Orcalab, they chose HDOnTap to build and install off-grid power systems, a high speed wireless network and install cameras at various locations along the orcas route past Hanson Island and east through Johnstone Strait.

Located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Orcalab has been a pioneering hub for orca research since its founding by Dr. Paul Spong on Hanson Island in 1970. Using a network of strategically placed hydrophones near Hanson Island and Johnstone Strait, the vocalizations of northern resident orcas captured by the hydrophones are transmitted over FM frequencies back to the lab on Hanson Island. These recordings are studied and and the orcas tracked by researchers on-site.

When Explore.org partnered with Orcalab, they turned to HDOnTap to enhance the project’s infrastructure. HDOnTap designed and installed off-grid power systems, a high-speed wireless network, and multiple cameras positioned along the orcas’ migration routes past Hanson Island and eastward through Johnstone Strait. This collaboration not only brought stunning live footage to global audiences but also supported vital research and conservation efforts for these remarkable marine mammals.