A HISTORICAL BASELINE

Beginning in 1993, SIMRS developed and implemented an offshore line transect survey, collecting nearly 7 years of data on marine mammal and pelagic bird species abundances and distributions across the continental shelf break of Clayoquot Sound. The idea behind this research came about because of a general lack of scientific knowledge concerning open ocean (pelagic) species as well as environmental concern for the species of birds and marine mammals seasonally at risk. After reading several published papers in an effort to learn more about these species, SIMRS Founder Rod soon realized there had been no year-round census that covered the entire width of the continental shelf off of Clayoquot Sound. SIMRS original pelagic transect surveys were implemented to address this lack of knowledge and to contribute much needed data to numerous research and government institutions. Pelagic transects were conducted once a month along a 64 km transect stretched between Wilf Rocks off Clayoquot Sound, through the Clayoquot Canyon, and past the continental shelf break to the Abyssal plain. Observers recorded species, abundance, distance from shore, depth, and temperature of each encounter with a marine mammal or bird. This database now provides us with a valuable foundation and a historical baseline on which to compare new population studies. Data collected from these transects are still used today as some of the only baseline information available for marine mammal and bird observations offshore of western Vancouver Island.

A NEW VISION

Now, decades later, there remains a prevailing lack of knowledge concerning outer shore species in British Columbia and a need for updated abundance and distribution data to mitigate against shifting baseline phenomenon. Many outer shore cetacean and bird species are listed as Threatened, Endangered, or Data Deficient under the Species At Risk Act (SARA). Without systematic collection of standardized and unbiased data about basic information such as diversity, abundances, distribution, seasonality, and habitat use, it remains difficult to assess conservation concerns for these species in a meaningful way. 

Starting in 2021, SIMRS aims to address these gaps in knowledge by replicating these same pelagic transect surveys. The Pelagic Marine Species Survey will collect a broad spectrum of species and habitat data for pelagic zones near Clayoquot sound, supporting a multitude of researchers with vital information that is often difficult to obtain. Data collected by SIMRS during the Pelagic Marine Species Surveys are intended to help us better understand how the offshore habitat along the west coast of Vancouver Island is being used and the oceanographic conditions, productivity, prey abundance and availability of the offshore habitat. We plan to provide a reliable and open-access database available to researchers, policymakers, organizations, and the local community as a way to further our understanding and promote conservation measures of offshore marine species and their habitat. These new surveys will replicate the same transect line as conducted in previous SIMRS pelagic surveys in order to best compare with historical data. Our goal is to gain a better understanding of marine species diversity, abundances, distribution, seasonality, and offshore habitat use, particularly for infrequently documented species.

PROJECT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Pelagic Marine Species Survey project is currently in the development and planning stage with our first pilot surveys aimed for the fall of 2021. This work cannot be done without the support from our communities, funders, and advisors. Our sincerest gratitude to the Ahousaht First Nation and the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society for their support and partnerships in conducting this important research in their traditional waterways. Thanks also to Dr. Rianna Burnham and Dr. Dave Duffus, our research advisors at the University of Victoria’s Whale Research Lab, for graciously lending us their expertise and advice along the way. Finally, we’d like to thank to Clayoquot Biosphere Trust for providing funding for this project through the Biosphere Research Award, along with Ocean Outfitters, Tofino Resort & Marina, and Shed/Shelter/Pizza Moto restaurants for financial and in-kind donations that made this possible. Thank you!!

Check out our presentation below about the Pelagic Marine Species Survey

If you’d like to learn more about this project, request access to data, collaborate, or would like to sponsor this project please contact the Principle Investigator: Karyssa Arnett at karyssa.arnett@simrstofino.org

Cover photo by NOAA Fisheries West Coast