This week, The Chief introduces the monthly science column Think Tank with Dr. Phillipa Gardiner, a freelance writer originally from Outback Australia. Gardiner studied at the University of Queensland where she obtained a Bachelors degree in Biotechnology and a PhD in molecular virology. Since graduating, she has worked for a biotechnology company and in scientific publishing. She left Australia in 2008 to travel the United Kingdom and Europe. She now resides in 老澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 with her husband. Gardiner is passionate about science and exploring the incredible world we live in. She hopes to share this enthusiasm through her new column.
For many years, there was little to no monitoring of marine life in Howe Sound, making it difficult to determine how much of the Sound's ecosystem was being affected by fishing, pollution from pulp mills, mining and residential runoff.
Today, over 650 species live in the waters of Howe Sound and researchers at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre (VAMSC) are working on a number of projects to learn more about them.
Under the leadership of Dr. Jeff Marliave and thanks to the financial support of the Howe Sound Research and Conservation Group (HSRCG), researchers at the VAMSC are surveying rockfish abundance, lingcod egg masses and juvenile spot prawn nurseries in the Sound.
They are also documenting sponge reefs, which are of interest as they occur at unusually shallow depths.
One fish species of particular importance are rockfish, which are long lived, slow to mature and prefer to live in small, well-defined territories. These characteristics make it very easy to catch mature fish of breeding age.
As a result, populations of this species are extremely low due to overfishing. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has created a number of rockfish conservation areas in Howe Sound to protect the fish from disappearing.
Scientists with the VAMSC are currently measuring rockfish numbers at sites inside and outside the conservation areas to see how site accessibility to anglers affects rockfish populations.
VP of marine science at Vancouver Aquarium, Dr. Jeff Marliave, said humans are still imposing negative influences over the populations.
"Overall, the prawns are holding their own, the lingcod and rockfish are struggling to increase against unfortunate poaching pressure."
The VAMSC research projects are crucial to understanding more about marine life populations, identifying important habitats and monitoring the health of Howe Sound over time.
The data collected can be used to make informed decisions about fishing allowances and closures, and drive the creation of effective conservation schemes specific to the Sound.
Suspected poaching incidents can be reported by calling 1-800-465-4336. People are encouraged to follow the Observe, Record and Report (ORR) procedure available on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website to ensure the correct information is given to the authorities at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/points/ORR-ONS-eng.htm.
Those interested in learning more about local marine life can visit the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park where a number of amazing live displays showcase the rich diversity of life in our waters.
Those preferring to get involved with research in the Sound can join the VAMSC as a volunteer diver to help with the lingcod egg mass survey and the rockfish abundance survey, running until Sept. 18. Details can be found on the aquarium website, hwww.vanaqua.org/conservation/rockfish-survey.
Locals can also help improve the health of Howe Sound by participating in The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup on Sept. 19. Visit www.shorelinecleanup.ca for more information, and to register for the event.
