Bowen Forage Fish Report

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Prepared for the Bowen Island Municipality and the Islands Trust, 
Bowen Island Local Trust Committee 
 
Prepared by: 
Ramona C. de Graaf, BSc, MSc 
Marine Biologist 
Forage Fish Specialist 
 
British Columbia Marine Conservation and Research Society 
October 31, 2014 
Bowen Island 
Surf smelt and Pacific sand lance  
Spawning Habitat Suitability Assessments 
 
Tunstall Bay 
Photo: RC deGraaf 
 

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Surf smelt and Pacific sand lance   
Spawning Habitat Suitability Assessments 
Bowen Island September 25 – October 1, 2014 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
  
 Page 
Number 
 
 Acknowledgements 4 
   
1.0 Introduction to Forage Fish  
 1.1 Role of Forage Fish in marine ecosystems 5 
 1.2 Connections to other valued ecosystem components 5 
   
2.0 Beach Spawning Forage Fish Habitat 6 
   
3.0 Spawning Habitat Characteristics 6-7 
 3.1 Intertidal Elevation 6 
 3.2 Sediment Characteristics 6 
 3.3 Beach Biophysical Characteristics 7 
   
4.0 Spawning Seasons 7 
   
5.0 Threats to Beach Spawners’ habitat 8 
   
6.0 Introduction to the Forage Fish Habitat Suitability Assessment 
Project 
9 
 6.1  General Introduction 9 
 6.2  Area Surveyed 9 
   
7.0 Methods 
7.1  General Methodology 
    10 
 7.2 GPS/GIS Methodologies       
      7.2.1 Spatial Data Specifications   11 
      7.2.2 Digitizing Spatial Data and Map Production 11 
   
8.0 Project Limitations 12 
9.0 Results  
 9.1 Bowen Island   13 
      9.1.1 Statistical Analyses  13 
      9.1.2 Grain-Size Analyses       18 

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      9.1.3 Length of Suitable Forage Fish Spawning Habitat  18 
      9.1.4 Suitable Forage Fish Spawning Habitat Types   19 
      9.1.5 Geographic distribution of beach units 20 
      9.1.6 Foreshore Modifications 21 
      9.1.7 Foreshore and Backshore Structures 23 
      9.1.8 Overhanging Shade Vegetation 24 
   
10.0 Summary & Recommendations  
 10.1 General 25 
         Shoreline Structures      25 
         Marine Vegetation      26 
         Stressors/Restoration      27 
   
 10.2.0 Bowen Island Specific Recommendations 29 
        Shoreline Management Goals/Policies 29 
            Land Owner Stewardship 30 
            Measures to protect beach habitats         30 
            Public access 30 
            Water quality 30 
            Shoreline Structures 32 
                 Shoreline erosion mitigation 32 
                 Piers and docks 33 
            Beach health/Enhancements 35 
   
11.0 
 
References Cited 35-36 
 
12.0 Appendices 37-48 
  
Appendix A:  Bowen Island Beach Units 
 
 Appendix B:  Grain-size Type Classifications   40-41 
 Appendix C: Grain-Size curves 42-44 
 Appendix D:  GPS/GIS methodology 45 
 Appendix E:  Digitizing Spatial Data and Map Production 
 
48 
 Appendix F:  Forage Fish Habitat Assessment Methods 
 
48 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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Acknowledgements 
 
I would like to extend my appreciation to Meribeth, Ross and their son Shah for their assistance in 
providing lodging and support

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