Salmon Steward

S ince 1995, I have worked as a scientist on numerous contracts for government, non-profit organizations and private industry. But I am particularly proud of my work with the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project because it is so unique on many fronts. Not only is it the most comprehensive study of Salish Sea ecosystems undertaken to date, it also involves several technological innovations and fresh approaches. Here are some highlights: Satellite Mapping of CritiCal SalMon Habitat Traditional methods for monitoring eelgrass and kelp are done manually using small boats, kayaks or divers, but can be time- consuming, labour-intensive and restricted to accessible areas. In our project, several studies are utilizing satellite imagery to capture data from large and sometimes inaccessible areas, at a low cost and over long time periods, allowing us to determine where and when changes in these habitats have occurred. (Story p.14) MeaSuring oCean aCidifiCation Ocean acidification can prevent ocean creatures from forming strong shells and cause skeletons to become weak and brittle. The first centre in Canada for comprehensively studying ocean acidification has been established on Quadra Island by the Tula Foundation. The new centre will analyze water samples from citizen science vessels and provide key metrics about the relationship between ocean acidity and the ability of these creatures to survive, and the impact of changing ocean conditions on food webs and biological function. The centre uses innovative Sunburst sensors, a technology that recently won the XPrize: oceanhealth.xprize.org. SalMon StalkerS Thanks to new genomic technology, poop is getting a reputation boost as a research tool. University of British Columbia researchers are using the technology to study salmon DNA in seal scat, allowing researchers to identify and quantify the salmon species being consumed by harbour seals, and definitively answer the question of how many juvenile salmon they're eating. SalMon traCking Anyone who has ever watched Discovery Channel has probably seen a large mammal like a bear being "tagged" with a tracking device for research purposes. Thanks to the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project, we're taking the very challenging underwater science of tracking fish to a whole new level. With technological innovations funded by the Pacific Salmon Foundation, smaller and more sensitive tags and receivers are being developed and deployed all across the Strait of Georgia. Working with our partners at Ocean Tracking Network Canada, the University of British Columbia and Kintama Research will be tracking indicator-stock Sockeye smolts coming out of the Chilko River (Fraser tributary) to test new findings about migration routes and where salmon are dying en route to the open ocean. 10 2016 psf.ca PHOTOS: (LOWER LEFT) NONAA'S NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE; (TOP RIGHT) ANDREW TRITES Deploying New TechNology anD ApproAches By Isobel pearsall, project Coordinator, Salish Sea Marine Survival project samples from citizen science vessels and provide key changing ocean conditions on food webs and biological with our partners at Ocean Tracking Network Canada, the University of British Columbia and Kintama Research will be tracking indicator-stock Sockeye The normally protective shell of this sea creature has become so fragile it's almost transparent. Satellite imagery of kelp distribution (red). Forty-two of these receivers are positioned along potential migration paths of juvenile salmon. UBC doctoral student Austen Thomas collects seal scat for DNA analysis. Salmon tracking tags.

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