Page 6 - 2018annualreport

CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS
“The citizen science initiative is
making such great connections
between research, community,
education and the environment that
otherwise may not have taken place
in such a well holistic manner.”
- Jay Walls, Science Teacher,
Elphinstone Secondary School
In 2018, citizen scientists and Lagoon Society staff tracked down the locations
of known pinniped haul-out sites, assisted by Rob Hynd and his aluminum boat
in July and by Jim Cameron and his fishing boat in November. Information on
potential sites came both from local knowledge and by surveying the coastline.
We have completed surveys from Merry Island in Halfmoon Bay to McRae Islets
near Powell River. During the first set of surveys GPS was used to record precise
coordinates, to make the sites easier to find in the future. A total of 11 sites
were identified in July, and an additional 10 were identified in November, all
between the mouth of Pender Harbour and the McRae Islets near Powell River.
In the future, these sites will be revisited several times a year, including during
breeding season.
Surveys included total counts and species identifications, as well as age and
sex when possible. The main species observed were harbour seals and Steller
sea lions. The largest group of seals was noted at Hodgeson Rocks, with 176
individuals recorded, while a group of at least 191 sea lions was observed at
McCrae Rocks.
Invasive Species Monitoring
In 2018, we started monitoring invasive species along the coast and near
high traffic locations such as government docks. Invasive species are usually
characterized as those that have prolific reproduction and rapid population
growth, leading to direct competition with native species for habitat and food.
Their presence can negatively impact ecosystems through the disruption of food
webs and habitat loss, economic endeavours through fouling of equipment/
vessels and damage to aquacultural resources, and even human health through
the introduction of new pathogens. It is critical that we monitor the arrival of
potentially invasive species, so that we can understand the factors involved and
research potential methods to control them.
Our monitoring efforts will involve both traditional surveys for known invasive
species (such as the European green crab), and underwater GoPro video footage
of high-traffic public docks around the harbour. The video footage will allow us
to see if there are any changes in the composition of flora and fauna under the
docks, complete biodiversity indices, and monitor for the presence of invasive
species. Our first round of footage was collected in October 2018, and included
docks in Madeira Park, Irvines Landing, Whiskey Slough, and Garden Bay.
A review of our intertidal surveys has also been conducted to identify any
invasive species that may have been observed. So far, our findings include:
• Japanese wireweed (Sargassum muticum): This seaweed species is present
in Malcolm Bay and at Baker Beach, fringing the outside of the existing
eelgrass beds. S. muticum requires a rocky substrate, while the native eel
grass (Zostera marina and Zostera japonica) require sandy/silty substrate.
4