Addressing Data Gaps for Intertidal Forage Fish Spawning Habitat in British Columbia

Cited as the cornerstone of many marine food webs, forage fish connect zooplankton to a host of secondary predators, from seabirds, fish and marine mammals.  Nearshore spawning forage fishes such as surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) and Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) use certain intertidal sandy-gravel beaches for spawn deposition/incubation, high on shorelines near the log line.  In British Columbia, effective coastal nearshore planning is hindered by the lack of information on the spatial and temporal spawning distribution of surf smelt and Pacific sand lance.  Field studies to address these data gaps are important for effective planning and marine ecosystem management throughout British Columbia.  Our assumptions about surf smelt and Pacific sand lance spawning habitats are generally extrapolated from Puget Sound, WA, research findings. The BC coast line presents some different shoreline features that can expand our understanding of surf smelt and sand lance spawning habitat.  I will present some results of 4.5 years of research in southern British Columbia into surf smelt and Pacific sand lance spawning.  I will also present examples of restoration activities for surf smelt and Oolichan (Thaleichthys pacificus) in the Lower Mainland region of southern British Columbia.  On behalf of the Communities of the BC Shore Spawners Alliance and the Coastal Conservation Institute of British Columbia.