FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA SPONSORS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH MISSION TO BOWIE SEAMOUNT AND GWAII HAANAS Vancouver, BC. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada will conduct detailed oceanographic surveys, including physical, chemical, geological and biological sampling, at Bowie Seamount and Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve/Haida Heritage Site in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, Parks Canada and representatives of the groundfish industry July 31 to August 14. This fascinating and ambitious two-week expedition aboard the research vessel J.P. Tully will visit Bowie Seamount and a study site encompassing the southeast portion of the Gwaii Haanas. Bowie Seamount, one of Canada’s pilot Marine Protected Areas (MPA), is located approximately 180 km west of the Queen Charlotte Islands. The objective of the surveys is to collect underwater observations (direct and videotape) as well as oceanographic and biological data to assess the population and habitat preferences of rockfish species to a depth of 300 metres using the DELTA submersible. Seamounts are underwater mountains formed by volcanic activity. They rise steeply from the ocean floor, but do not reach the surface. Despite the fact that many people are unfamiliar with seamounts, they actually represent one of the most common types of deep sea geological features. Given its relative proximity to the ocean surface, Bowie Seamount - like many other seamounts - supports a rich biological ecosystem and may be thought of as an "oceanic oasis". "This survey work will assist managers, resource users and the Canadian public to examine the objectives and benefits of Marine Protected Areas and develop an awareness of marine ecosystem conservation," said Lynne Yamanaka, Research Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. "Our primary goal is to document the marine habitat and resources of Bowie Seamount and a portion of Gwaii Haanas to evaluate the marine biodiversity, representative ecosystems and special natural features that exist at these two study sites. "This survey work will assist in understanding fish-habitat relationships required for the assessment of rockfish and other marine resources. It is also an opportunity to evaluate non-intrusive survey methods, by using the DELTA, for the assessment and monitoring of rockfish in marine protected areas," continued Ms. Yamanaka. Yellow-eye rockfish, a long-lived and sedentary species, are susceptible to over-harvest because they do not sexually mature until they are about 20 years old. As rockfish have been aged to 118 years, the species is considered likely to benefit from MPAs. Bowie Seamount was identified as one of four Pacific Region pilot Marine Protected Areas on December 8, 1998. The pilot MPA phase is viewed as a learn-by-doing process allowing Fisheries and Oceans Canada to gain practical experience in establishing and managing MPA’s in the context of integrated coastal zone management. -30- For further information:
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