Gambier and Keats 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 
October 31, 2014 
Gambier and Keats Islands 
Surf smelt and Pacific sand lance 
Spawning Habitat Suitability Assessments  
Pebble Beach – Keats Island 
Photo:  RC de Graaf 
 

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Gambier and Keats Islands- Sept 2014 – October 2014 
Surf smelt and Pacific sand lance 
Spawning Habitat Suitability Assessments 
 
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  
 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 8 
 6.1  General Introduction 8 
 6.2  Area Surveyed 9 
7.0 Methods 
7.1  General Methodology 
      9 
 7.2 GPS/GIS Methodologies 11 
    7.2.1 Spatial Data Specifications   11 
    7.2.2 Digitizing Spatial Data and Map Production 11 
8.0 Project Limitations 11-12 
9.0 Results 13 
 9.1 Gambier Island    
      9.1.1 Statistical Analyses  13 
      9.1.2 Grain-Size Analyses 17 
      9.1.3 Length of Suitable Forage Fish Spawning Habitat  17 
      9.1.4 Suitable Forage Fish Spawning Habitat Types   18 
      9.1.5 Geographic distribution of beach units 19 
      9.1.6 Foreshore Modification 20 
      9.1.7 Foreshore and Backshore Structures 20-21 
      9.1.8 Overhanging Shade Vegetation 22 
   
 9.2 Keats Island 23 
      9.2.1 Statistical Analyses 23 

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      9.2.2 Grain-Size Analyses       26 
      9.2.3 Length of Suitable Forage Fish Spawning Habitat        26 
      9.2.4 Suitable Forage Fish Spawning Habitat Types      27 
      9.2.5 Geographic distribution of beach units      28 
      9.2.6 Foreshore Modification      29 
      9.2.7 Foreshore and Backshore Structures      30 
      9.2.8 Overhanging Shade Vegetation       31 
   
10.0 Summary & Recommendations      32 
 10.1.0 General      32 
         Shoreline Structures      33 
         Marine Vegetation      33 
         Stressors/Restoration      35 
   
 10.2.0 Specific Recommendations 35 
        Shoreline Management Goals/Policies 35 
            Land Owner Stewardship 35 
            Measures to protect beach habitats         36 
            Public access 37 
            Shoreline Structures 37 
                 Shoreline erosion mitigation 37 
                     Gambier Island       38 
                      Keats Island       38 
                 Piers and docks 39 
                     Gambier Island  39 
                     Keats Island       40 
                 Vegetation Losses 41 
                     Gambier Is

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