Forage Fish
feed the marine food chain
The work involves collecting sediment samples from beaches and looking for the tiny eggs under microscopes. Volunteers and Citizen Scientists have spent many hours on beaches and behind microscopes to help us with this important work and we are excited to share some results from our first sampling season!
Forage Fish
Project Watershed’s Guide to Documenting Forage Fish Habitat
Photo documentation of forage fish spawning habitat is valuable in our aim to protect these important nursery areas. Photos provide a story of each individual beach over time.
Technician Report – Tuesday, November 2nd
Happy Technician Tuesday! Our team had the opportunity to assist Virginia East with forage fish sampling at Point Holmes beach earlier this year.
PSL – the Debate is Out and Volunteers are Needed
PSL – a Pumpkin Spice Latté or a Pacific sand lance? To some people, a PSL is both. Either way, PSL season is fast approaching. The leaves are changing, warm drinks are on the menu, and the liquid sunshine (rain) is welcomed after such a dry summer. Project Watershed is gearing up for our Fall/Winter sampling.
How can you help?
Fill in the Local Ecological Knowledge Questionnaire – online using google forms or using this pdf
- Send photos of beaches where you have seen forage fish in the past
- Share local knowledge over casual conversation and send the stories to Project Watershed (Virginia. East@projectwatershed.ca)
- Call Virginia East – Project Watershed’s Citizen Science and Stewardship Coordinator: 250-703-2871
Who can help us?
- Community members and elders from First Nations communities across Vancouver Island
- Local persons involved with the fishing industry (past or present)
- Local residents – are there beaches you like to walk where you notice particular activities at various times of the year (i.e. bird sightings)?
- Anyone interested in sharing knowledge on forage fish is welcome to contribute to our ongoing collection of local forage fish knowledge!
Funders & Partners
This work is funded by the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund and with support from the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the Comox Valley Regional District. Local partners in this initiative include K’ómoks First Nation and North Island College.
