Coastal biodiversity survey (PAC2023-035) in Caamaño and Chatham Sounds on the central and north coasts of Pacific Canada : 2023 cruise report / by Beatrice Proudfoot, Michelle Paleczny, Kathryn Berry,...: Fs97-6/3693E-PDF

"From May 17th – June 8th, 2023, Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted a coastal biodiversity survey (PAC2023-035) aboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Vector to characterize intertidal and subtidal biodiversity along British Columbia’s North and Central coasts in support of marine conservation and emergency response initiatives. Eleven intertidal sites were surveyed using a suite of techniques: beach seining, drone surveys, environmental DNA (eDNA), wildlife cameras, infauna/epifauna surveys, shoreline debris surveys and baited remoted underwater video (BRUV) surveys. Each technique detected a unique suite of species, highlighting the complementary nature of the sampling plan. Across all nearshore sites, nine infaunal and 30 epifaunal invertebrate taxa were detected by intertidal biodiversity surveys; 37 fish, 22 invertebrate, one bird and one mammal taxa were detected by BRUVs; and 48 fish taxa were detected using beach seining. Near-bottom and surface eDNA water samples were also collected within and surrounding a proposed marine protected area in Caamaño Sound, and in Chatham Sound at eelgrass beds on Flora Banks, in rockfish conservation areas, and over mapped sponge reefs. eDNA results will be available in future publications. The baseline information collected during this survey will support marine conservation and planning initiatives and contribute to long-term monitoring of these areas. These surveys were completed in partnership with the Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Haisla, Heiltsuk, and Kitasoo Xai’xais Nations"--Abstract, page x.

Permanent link to this Catalogue record:
publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.950559&sl=0

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