Canada's first WasteShark aquadrone deployment project begins at Ports Toronto

PortsToronto has announced its new pilot program involving the deployment of two WasteShark aquatic drones that were developed by Green Marine partner RanMarine Technology. Named Ebb and Flow, the new drones will help to collect debris from the surface of Toronto Harbour. They have been added to the 10 Seabins already doing some of this waste collection since PortsToronto started deploying them seasonally in 2019.

"These aquadrones offer exciting new capability within our network of trash trapping devices in the Toronto Harbour, allowing a nimble response to floating debris that will complement the Seabins already deployed along the waterfront," says R.J. Steenstra, PortsToronto’s president and CEO.

"We look forward to continuing this important work with program partners, in particular our longstanding research partnership with the University of Toronto Trash Team and the International Trash Trap Network that will ensure these devices contribute to global data collection and waste diversion efforts,” he adds.

The pilot project at PortsToronto marks WasteShark’s Canadian debut by RanMarine Technology, which is based in the Netherlands. In addition to collecting plastic waste and other debris, the range of WasteShark products are used to remove unwanted biomass from waterways, as well as to detect potential imbalances within a marine environment. With a capacity of processing180 litres (47.5 gallons) of water, the aquatic robot collects nearly 499 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of waste daily.

Contributing to PortsToronto's larger waste capture program, the pilot project has been made possible by a grant program from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs supporting initiatives that contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

The public chose the names Ebb and Flow for the aquadrones through a naming contest and subsequent vote.