A citizen science-based initiative is gathering oceanographic data in the Salish Sea to learn more about salmon return changes in B.C. and Washington State.
The group called the Loon Foundation is getting support from the Community Salmon Program through the Pacific Salmon Foundation this coming spring. This means they will continue one of its largest and ongoing initiatives called the Pender Harbour Coastal Waters Monitoring Program.
The program aims to develop long-term monitoring of temporal and spatial changes in the aquatic ecosystems of the fresh and marine waters of the Pender Harbour area on the Sunshine Coast.
“The monitoring program collects comprehensive data on key species and habitats to identify trends and thereby work with collaborators to investigate potential causes of disruption,” said an update from PSF.
Some causes include land development, pollution, resource extraction, invasive species and climate change.
Recent funding from Paper Excellence will also contribute to four monitoring programs focused on salmon, their prey and their habitat:
- Salmon Escapement – enumerating and habitat assessment of returning spawners to local creeks
- Juvenile Salmon – identifying habitat use, migration patterns, health and spatial and temporal distributions within Pender Harbour
- Forage Fish – identifying and assessing spawning beaches of two key prey fish for Pacific salmon
- Seagrass – identifying and assessing the health of eelgrass beds as a key habitat for salmon survival
“Not only does this data benefit a wide range of groups including local governments and First Nations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, researchers, stakeholders and partner organizations, but it provides engaging volunteer opportunities working with trained biologists in the community,” said PSF.
“These salmon survey activities also enable Sunshine Coast residents to learn about local salmon species and the threats they face, gain a sense of community, and connect directly with wild Pacific salmon and their habitats.”
PSF adds that public engagement activities can also help spread knowledge and awareness of the importance of protecting salmon.
