Using long term datasets to evaluate wake effects on coastal marine ecosystems
Presentation Abstract
As commercial vessel activity increases globally it is important to understand the potential impacts of boat generated waves (vessel wake) on coastal marine ecosystems. Due to growing concerns regarding vessel wake effects on coastal and inland waterways, wake impact studies have been conducted for proposed commercial transport operations in Canada and abroad. Indicators of biological changes in coastal ecosystems due to vessel wake are not well understood and few studies have been conducted to predict the effects of vessel wake on shoreline ecosystems.
The Rich Passage shore response study is a multi-disciplinary study designed to evaluate the environmental feasibility of re-introducing high speed passenger only fast ferry service in Puget Sound. A previous attempt to establish regular passenger only fast ferry service along the Seattle to Bremerton route proved problematic due to the negative effect of fast ferry wake wash on the shorelines of Rich Passage, the narrowest portion of the route. This long-term interdisciplinary study characterized substrate types, macroalgae, eelgrass and marine invertebrate communities along the Rich Passage ferry route over 14 years. This presentation will discuss the values and limitations of using long term data sets to evaluate wake related effects on ecosystem receptors along the Rich Passage transport route.
Session Title
Long term studies reveal the complex dynamics and interconnectivity of the physical, geomorphic, biological systems of Salish Sea shorelines and how these systems interact with social and political systems
Conference Track
Shorelines
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Biotic communities--Washington (State)--Rich Passage; Ferries--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Rich Passage; Coastal ecosystem health--Washington (State)--Rich Passage
Geographic Coverage
Rich Passage (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Using long term datasets to evaluate wake effects on coastal marine ecosystems
2016SSEC
As commercial vessel activity increases globally it is important to understand the potential impacts of boat generated waves (vessel wake) on coastal marine ecosystems. Due to growing concerns regarding vessel wake effects on coastal and inland waterways, wake impact studies have been conducted for proposed commercial transport operations in Canada and abroad. Indicators of biological changes in coastal ecosystems due to vessel wake are not well understood and few studies have been conducted to predict the effects of vessel wake on shoreline ecosystems.
The Rich Passage shore response study is a multi-disciplinary study designed to evaluate the environmental feasibility of re-introducing high speed passenger only fast ferry service in Puget Sound. A previous attempt to establish regular passenger only fast ferry service along the Seattle to Bremerton route proved problematic due to the negative effect of fast ferry wake wash on the shorelines of Rich Passage, the narrowest portion of the route. This long-term interdisciplinary study characterized substrate types, macroalgae, eelgrass and marine invertebrate communities along the Rich Passage ferry route over 14 years. This presentation will discuss the values and limitations of using long term data sets to evaluate wake related effects on ecosystem receptors along the Rich Passage transport route.
