Salmon Steward

salmon Steward magazine 3 SALISH SEA BREAKTHROUGHS Repaving Salmon Highways THE PROJECT: Kelp forests are a key component of the salmon highway – the interlocking succession of habitats that salmon use on their journey to the ocean. Kelp provide refuge from predators and support the small ocean critters that salmon eat. Anecdotal evidence from communities (particularly fishermen) indicates startling losses in kelp habitat throughout the central Strait of Georgia. That's why retired fisheries biologist Dr. Bill Heath decided to get involved with kelp research and restoration with the Nile Creek Enhancement Society (nilecreek.org) and Project Watershed Society ( projectwatershed.ca). "My daughter and son-in-law own Hornby Island Diving and were already volunteering for Nile Creek as divers. Amanda and Rob thought it would be a good way to keep me busy during retirement," says Heath with a chuckle. To restore kelp, it is grown on ropes that are anchored to the seabed by divers. The good news is that kelp grows extremely fast. In fact, some species are thought to be the fastest-growing organisms in the world. The bad news is that warming waters are taking a toll. LESSONS LEARNED: "Some areas of California have lost up to 93 per cent of kelp habitat to abnormally warm water temperatures," says Braeden Schiltroth, a masters student at Simon Fraser University. Fortunately, as part of the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project, an SFU research team comprised of Schiltroth and Dr. Sherryl Bisgrove have discovered populations of kelp that may have adapted better to warming waters. The field research has also noted that sea urchins that feed on kelp could be a big contributor to kelp loss. Next steps will include experimenting with kelp sourced from different areas to find populations best suited for restoring kelp beds during climate change. u Above: Dr. Sherryl Bisgrove of the SFU research team is investigating kelp populations more tolerant to climate change. Right: Rob Zielinski volunteers with his wife Amanda and father-in-law Dr. Bill Heath on kelp research. Here he checks growing kelp for reproductive patches called "sori." Above right: Warming temperatures are threatening kelp habitats. This map shows kelp research sites of interest; red dots indicate warmer areas, orange are intermediate in temperature and blue are in cool zones. ESRI, DELORME, GEBCO, NOAA NGDC, AND OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

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