The Islands Trust says it’s at the halfway mark of a three year study of eelgrass in the waters off the Gulf Islands, and so far the results are promising.
Eelgrass is vital habitat for some species, including as much as 80 per-cent of the region’s commercial fish and shellfish, but it’s easily damaged and takes a long time to recover.
Ecosystem Protection Specialist Kate Emmings says the study will provide baseline information for marine scientists and conservation organizations monitoring the Salish Sea.
Emmings says the results so far show eelgrass growing everywhere clean water, rooting soil and good light can be found.
A similar study recently finished for the waters off Gibsons also shows eelgrass beds are healthy overall and recovering in areas where they’d been damaged in the past
(with files from 89.7 Sun FM, Duncan)
