Presentation Abstract
Artificial reefs are a conservation tool that can increase biodiversity and habitat complexity in degraded habitats around the world. In some areas, they can be effective at helping to counter stressors such as overfishing by increasing the abundance of coral and fish. In addition to providing habitat, they also provide an opportunity to engage non-scientists in monitoring projects as the public can be involved in both the design and monitoring of these artificial structures. While numerous artificial reef projects exist, many are located in warm tropical waters with limited focus on the role that artificial structures can play for fish populations in colder, temperate areas. Artificial reefs are also often created from repetitive pieces, like tires or concrete blocks, which may not incorporate the characteristics of naturally occurring seabed habitat such as kelp, corals or sponges. To examine these gaps, we created a temperate artistic artificial reef in Howe Sound, British Columbia in an effort to increase rockfish abundance while also engaging the public through art and ocean literacy. We collaborated with art students from two local universities to create unique sculptures that mimic multiple characteristics of naturally occurring rockfish habitats. We deployed the sculptures in summer 2019 and SCUBA divers are conducting ongoing surveys to assess the sculptures’ effectiveness at increasing overall marine biodiversity, with a focus on monitoring rockfish species. As art can be an effective tool to connect people to nature, the artistic element of this project demonstrates a novel method for engaging the public in rockfish conservation and habitat conservation in general. This conservation effort provides a unique case study on the role that citizen science can play in monitoring biodiversity, and highlights a method for bridging art and science that can be used to engage the public in rockfish conservation in the Salish Sea.
Session Title
Track: Trophic Interactions - Zooplankton, Phytoplankton, Salmon, Forage Fish & Invasive Species – Posters
Conference Track
Trophic Interactions - Zooplankton, Phytoplankton, Salmon, Forage Fish & Invasive Species
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2020 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
2020_abstractID_3642
Start Date
21-4-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
22-4-2020 4:45 PM
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Artificial reefs--British Columbia--Howe Island; Striped bass--Habitat--Conservation--British Columbia--Howe Island; Artificial reefs--Design and construction; Art--Environmental aspects
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Howe Island (B.C.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Reefs for rockfish: A collaborative approach to monitor populations and increase awareness in Howe Sound.
Artificial reefs are a conservation tool that can increase biodiversity and habitat complexity in degraded habitats around the world. In some areas, they can be effective at helping to counter stressors such as overfishing by increasing the abundance of coral and fish. In addition to providing habitat, they also provide an opportunity to engage non-scientists in monitoring projects as the public can be involved in both the design and monitoring of these artificial structures. While numerous artificial reef projects exist, many are located in warm tropical waters with limited focus on the role that artificial structures can play for fish populations in colder, temperate areas. Artificial reefs are also often created from repetitive pieces, like tires or concrete blocks, which may not incorporate the characteristics of naturally occurring seabed habitat such as kelp, corals or sponges. To examine these gaps, we created a temperate artistic artificial reef in Howe Sound, British Columbia in an effort to increase rockfish abundance while also engaging the public through art and ocean literacy. We collaborated with art students from two local universities to create unique sculptures that mimic multiple characteristics of naturally occurring rockfish habitats. We deployed the sculptures in summer 2019 and SCUBA divers are conducting ongoing surveys to assess the sculptures’ effectiveness at increasing overall marine biodiversity, with a focus on monitoring rockfish species. As art can be an effective tool to connect people to nature, the artistic element of this project demonstrates a novel method for engaging the public in rockfish conservation and habitat conservation in general. This conservation effort provides a unique case study on the role that citizen science can play in monitoring biodiversity, and highlights a method for bridging art and science that can be used to engage the public in rockfish conservation in the Salish Sea.
