Valdes Forage Fish Report

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Prepared for the Islands Trust and Islands Trust Fund 
 
Prepared by: 
Ramona C. de Graaf, BSc, MSc 
Marine Biologist 
Forage Fish Specialist 
 
British Columbia Marine Conservation and Research Society 
March 2017 
Valdes Island, British Columbia 
Surf smelt and Pacific sand lance 
Spawning Habitat Suitability Assessments 
September 2015-August 2016  
 Valdes Island - Photo:  RC de Graaf 
 

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Table of Contents 
Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. 4 
1.0  Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 5 
1.1 Role of forage fish in marine ecosystems .......................................................................................... 5 
1.2 Connections to other valued ecosystem components ..................................................................... 5 
1.2.1  Protecting the ecosystem services of Marine Riparian Vegetation ........................................ 6 
2.0  Beach Spawning Forage Fish Habitat ................................................................................................... 8 
3.0  Spawning Habitat Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 8 
3.1  Intertidal Elevation ................................................................................................................................. 8 
3.2 Sediment Characteristics ..................................................................................................................... 9 
3.3 Beach Biophysical Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 9 
4.0   Spawning Seasons .............................................................................................................................. 10 
5.0   Threats to Beach Spawning Forage Fish Habitat .......................................................................... 10 
5.1 Shoreline Modification ........................................................................................................................ 10 
5.2 Marine Riparian Vegetation Habitat Modification ........................................................................... 10 
5.3 Sea Level Rise ......................................................................................................................................... 11 
6.0  Introduction to the Beach Spawning Forage Fish Habitat Assessment ........................................ 12 
6.1 General Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 12 
6.2 Area Surveyed ..................................................................................

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