HEALTHY HARBOUR PROJECT
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The Ucluelet Aquarium Society is partnering with a number of the area’s organizations to map the eelgrass meadows in the Ucluelet harbour.
Globally, eelgrass beds, one of these important marine habitats, are declining in area by 1.5% per year and so far, 30% of their historical numbers have been lost.
The Ucluelet harbour is home to many eelgrass beds, and through them, supports and sustains life and all the economies that allow us to reside here on the west coast. The harbour provides important nurseries and habitats for a variety of marine species, from hooded nudibranchs to small-eye shrimp, as well as more culturally and economically cherished species such as herring, salmon and endangered abalone. It also provides a medium of transportation to and from communities and to and from marine harvesting locations.
As with many environmental features, the health of the harbour has been taken for granted for a long time, and while the resident population of Ucluelet may be small, the user group of the Ucluelet Harbour is made up of a much larger network of people and industries. Eelgrass beds are also fantastic at sequestering excess carbon and other nutrients that would otherwise contribute to an unhealthy ocean. Those lucky to own waterfront should also be grateful for eelgrass beds, as they play vital roles in erosion control. Without them, storms would batter the coastline and wipe out docks, houses, and beaches. Our harbour is an active one, with things such as dredging, docks, pollution from boats and wastewater, and invasive species such as the European green crab posing risks to the health of our eelgrass gardens.
There are two species of eelgrass here that we will focus on: Zostera marina and Zostera japonica. Our goals with mapping these important habitats is to learn more about the ecosystems here. Salmon returns have been poorer than historical runs, and fishing is a way of life for many people here. We are curious how local eelgrass health is impacting our human lives. Our small community continues to grow, so with increased activity comes increased pollution. It is important to keep tabs on these ecosystems to ensure we are all flourishing together. Depending on the findings from the surveys, we may go forward with restoration work which will mean planting new shoots in diminished or depleted areas or looking for ways to reduce or eliminate what is harming them.