nearshore habitat restoration
salt marsh, eelgrass and kelp
Project Watershed’s Salish Sea North East Vancouver Island Salmon Highway (Nearshore Habitat) Coastal Restoration Plan identifies 70 potential nearshore habitat restoration projects along the east coast of Vancouver Island (between the Oyster River and Annie Creek near Qualicum Bay).
Projects were identified by examining changes in the distribution of eelgrass, salt marsh and kelp habitat using historic and current aerial images and coupling this information with an extensive shore-zone assessment and literature review. The plan will guide future nearshore habitat restoration projects undertaken by Project Watershed and our partnering organizations. This is a living document that will be adapted and added to as new data and information about the identified projects arise.
Coastal Restoration
Creating Habitat Connectivity
Comox Valley Project Watershed is focusing on the restoration of three marine habitats – kelp, eelgrass and saltmarsh – to facilitate connectivity between the subtidal, intertidal and foreshore zones in the estuary.
Restoring Kelp Forest Habitat
Comox Valley Project Watershed Society is working with partners to restore kelp forests using two methods: planting seeded kelp lines and reducing grazing pressure by sea urchins.
Kelp Forests
A kelp forest is a type of nearshore vegetative habitat, found along rocky coasts with wave action or strong currents in depths of 4 to 20 metres.