Page 5 - 2018annualreport
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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS
“The citizen science and samples for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. If eggs are found in a given
environmental monitoring projects survey, concurrently-collected sediment samples are sent for processing to the
led by the Lagoon Society are Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, in hopes that we can identify spawning
essential to understanding and beaches through the DNA found in the eggs. This would reduce the time and
monitoring vital habitats and effort required to identify spawning beaches along BC’s coastline.
ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast.”
We share all data with the BC Beach Spawners Alliance and the Pacific Salmon
- Dr. Michelle Evelyn, Leader, Foundation. Meta data and the locations of confirmed spawning beaches are
Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project publicly available on the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s website.
Salmonid Escapement
Salmonid escapement refers to the returning of salmonid species from the
ocean back to their freshwater streams and lakes for spawning. Numerous
community citizen science volunteers are involved each year in counting and
identifying salmonids, as well documenting GPS coordinates of spawning
channels, individual spawning nests, and log jams. Some physical data, such as
water temperature and turbidity, is also recorded. Annual surveys of salmonid
escapement help us to monitor the health of different species in relation to
both environmental change and anthropogenic stressors, which is of particular
relevance in our community due to the economic role of recreational fishing and
the cultural importance of salmonids to the shíshálh First Nation.
Weekly salmon escapement counts were performed in Anderson Creek and
Meyers Creek between September 19th and November 22nd this year. We also
enumerated several smaller tributaries to Sakinaw Creek, Coho Creek which
drains into Anderson Creek, and Meadow Creek which drains into Meyers Creek.
Chum salmon were the most abundant salmonid species in all creeks except
for the Sakinaw Creek tributaries, followed by coho salmon and cutthroat trout.
Sakinaw Creek tributaries were inhabited primarily by Coho salmon. We also
noted that overall fish abundance was higher in the Anderson Creek Watershed
in 2018 than it was in 2017. All of our results were reported to the Department
of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and compiled into Escapement Bulletins,
which can be accessed online via the DFO website.
Pinniped Monitoring
There is very little collective data about pinnipeds (marine carnivorous mammals
that include seals, sea lions, and walruses) along the coast of BC. As major
consumers of salmon, both seals and sea lions have recently been thrust into
the spotlight. It is difficult to make sound decisions for ecosystems with limited
data, and so we have decided to include monitoring of pinnipeds in our overall
survey efforts to bridge the knowledge gap in the Pender Harbour region.
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