Carol and Mike Slater, formerly the light keepers and then employees of Pearson College as Ecoguardians at Race Rocks attended the meeting. They will continue to live at Race Rocks until the end of June at which time there is no further funding available from Lester Pearson College. (Funding was provided and they stayed on until retirement in 2008). They were able to add their concerns to the possible problems that will come when surveillance of the island is not being done.
The Race Rocks ecosystem was given token protection in 1980 with the creation of an ecological reserve, and that protection strengthened in 1990 with a total closure on commercial fisheries and a partial closure on recreational fisheries. However, the ecological integrity that the place retains today would not be possible without the watchful eyes of the past light keepers and assistant keepers. We first met Trev and Flo Anderson in the late 70’s and started to work in this area as an outdoor laboratory. These individuals who were on location because of a job with the Coastguard became the eyes and ears in the area, looking after the ecosystem at Race Rocks. The following lightkeepers in the ensuing years have all welcomed us warmly, assisting with our educational programs and helping to facilitate outside researchers on the islands. In addition they have performed a valuable role for the ecology of the area. They regularly stop poachers and commercial harvesters and advise boaters not to anchor in the reserve. They have even been known to hand out information pamphlets, help in the arrest of fishermen who were shooting at sea lions and rescue our own students as well as countless others in the past twenty years. They have also contributed to the daily weather records and reports and daily seawater data recording. Carol Slater’s daily logbooks over the past two years are valued records of the daily changes in the birds and mammals as well as the increase in human impact on the reserve. They are included in the database as the best record of what has been happening in terms of reserve management over the past two years. To think of Race Rocks without these guardians in place is to accept that there will be a considerable human impact on this unique resource.
Garry Fletcher, April, 1999
This document formed part of the background handout materials for the Race Rocks Ecological Overview at Lester Pearson College in April 1999.
Angus Matthews and myself have met on three occasions with Tom Sampson, elder of the Brentwood First Nations. He and Andy Thomas chief of the Esquimalt Nation have helped us to understand the importance of the coastal areas to their people and their culture. We have, I believe started on a fruitful path in involving local First Nations people in our educational program in the reserve. Acting on Tom’s direction we read the Bamberton report which already lays out in some detail the cultural dependence that first nations people had on the land and the coastal areas of the Salish Sea. He sees that as a valuable model for the way we have to think about the role of First Nations people when we lay out plans for managing protected areas. We have also been in contact with Burt Charles, Chief of Beecher Bay, and his wife Lee who is involved in the school program with the children on the reserve.
For more than just the most recent millennium, people lived and worked as an integral part of the coastal ecosystems of Southern Vancouver Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. They managed the resources for their own survival. They valued the land and the water ecosystems because they did not see themselves as separate from those systems. Place names were important since only through the language can one understand the importance of natural areas to the first nations people.
On a visit to Race Rocks with Tom and Andy and two other elders from North Saanich, Tom told us of the way that his people would use the gull eggs in a sustainable way so that they would always have some for later. Tom said that he will have to get Madeleine Thomas and May Sam to show us how to prepare the gull eggs when they are in season. The sea urchins were also a special food. Their power was such that only those of a certain age could eat them, as the eggs were too strong for the younger people. Sea cucumbers had their top end cut off, were cleaned out and then stuffed with other kinds of food. Mussels and barnacles as well as the myriad of snails, whelks, chitons and other intertidal invertebrates were standard fare for the people. The area also provided a wealth of the standard fish resources. Often seafood that was collected was traded with the interior people from Washington, as far as the South end of Puget Sound.
Tom talked with Thomas Charles*, and his wife, a couple in their eighties who are residents of the Beecher Bay reserve. He wanted to record some of the place names of this corner of Vancouver Island and to get an idea of how their ancestors were part of the ecosystem. Location and language is so important to them when talking about culture. The area from Pedder Bay to Beecher Bay was a community that was totally dependent on the coastal resources well into the twentieth century. Race Rocks “xwayen”was known as the area in which one could get any kind of food they needed. Thomas Charles remembers his parents going to sell ling cod from Race Rocks the area of “ xwayen” (the fast flowing water) to the buyer in Pedder Bay “Whoayinch” in the 1920’s. Church Island, visible from Race Rocks out in front of Beecher Bay was ” Kquitong”, the Raven’s hang out.
Link to this site for the Klallum language, and a story by Thomas Charles .
Thomas Charles speaks “Klallum” and his wife writes in the language. She wrote the names in their script as he went over a map of the lower part of Vancouver Island. Tom has provided our library with a tape of this conversation and the correct pronunciation of the place names. I have attempted to write a phonetic version of the names here, so further investigation will have to be pursued to ensure their accuracy. (Ed note: the site above has an update on the correct spellings on some of these names. )
Tom says there are only about three of the old people left in this whole region of South Vancouver Island who have recollections of the old ways.
In a few weeks when we can be assured of better weather, Tom is arranging for a group of first nations people to go to visit Race Rocks for a few days so that they may be able to share with us the traditional uses their ancestors made of this area.
** It is with regret that we have received the news in December of 1999, that Thomas Charles has recently passed away.
In our Schools program we take grade seven students from local schools out to Race Rocks from late February to the end of April each year. We are starting to include these stories of First Nations traditional use of the resources. Tom is also interested in having some of the children from the first nations school come with some elders and share the ideas of how this place would have been used by their ancestors to provide all their food needs. In Appendix 3 of this report is a copy of the section from the Bombarding Report on the Marine Resources used by First Nations. We intend to produce with the help of local first nations people, a similar reference, specific to the resources of the Juan de Fuca area..
Part 6: FUTURE DATABASE LINKAGES
Some other databases have yet to be linked in to the database.
The agenda and proceedings of the Workshop for the Race Rocks Ecological Overview presented for the Department of Fisheries on completion of the Race Rocks Ecological Overview by Garry Fletcher at Lester B. Pearson College, April 7, 1999.
The Race Rocks Ecological Overview Metadatabase
Note : This is a 1.4 megabyte file — representing the core table of the RREO metadatabase. Not all aspects of the database are represented properly because of the difficulty in handling a file of this size. It has been assembled from the MSAccess metadatabase constructed in the spring and summer of 1999 by G. Fletcher, with support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The complete version is assembled as a searchable database on CD. In that version, there is a photograph/slide database and links to other databases. The database and copies of references may be viewed at the Lester B. Pearson College Library and the Floating Marine Lab at Pearson College
An alternate link to this website is provided here:Â
Database Citation: This file contains the citation for the RREO database, including acknowledgements and copyright information.
Return to the RREO workshop Agenda and Program
The workshop addressed the issue of gaps in research in the afternoon session. The following discussion summarizes points raised in that session and suggests some further actions to be taken. This list is by no means definitive, but it attempts to emphasize the many facets of the ecosystem that is present. Certainly it is not hard to find areas within the reserve that could bear further study since so little has actually been published on the area.
1. Minimal Impact Research: From the survey of literature required for this project and from my experience over the past several years, the most apparent need in the Race Rocks area is for activities that can be carried out with very minimal impact. The total area of the present reserve is rather limited leading to a restriction of the area to non-consumptive research. We have worked since 1986 with Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss under permit, on the ecology and taxonomy of the hydroids in the reserve. Her sampling has been very restricted to small sized samples. Low impact, non-consumptive research like this should be encouraged. Robin Baird has also been responsible over the past few years for doing extensive marine mammal research in the area. Many of his papers are referred to in the database.
2. Military Blasting: The effects of military blasting on the seabirds and mammal population as well as on the subsurface community should be investigated further. Part of such a study was contracted by the military last year, but no results have been received to date. In addition, feedback from one participant after the workshop indicated that there is a need for research on the receiving ecosystem of all the compounds and breakdown products from blasting and demolition in the rocky point area.
3. Bioassays for pollution: Communication with Norm Healey after the workshop brought forward the idea of doing tissue sampling of invertebrates in the reserve. The large population of californianus mussels could provide samples for the testing of the presence of a wide range of human-generated chemicals.
4. Ecological baseline Studies: Pearson College science classes have been able to do some preliminary studies, and have many records in raw data form from baseline transect work done intertidally and subtidally. More extensive work with outside expertise on a long-term basis should be planned.
5. Taxonomic studies of many invertebrate groups such as colonial ascdians should be promoted. There are still extensive areas that could be sampled for Bryozoan and Hydrozoan forms. Research by Dr. Anita Brinckmann Voss that turned up new species and new records for North America would tend to indicate that there may be new occurances of other invertebrate or even vertebrate groups .
7. Plankton studies, especially with underwater monitoring of daily fluctuations and primary productivity investigations could be done at Race Rocks. Since we operate a saltwater pump, for part of the year, an instrument that monitors daily chlorophyll changes could be installed. This could be useful in conjunction with ground-truthing for satellite productivity studies in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The upper tidepools have always been excellent sources of Pyramimonas sp flagellates. The distribution of this species is probably rather restricted along the coast of British Columbia. In this location, the organisms are available in the guano-nourished upper tidepools for much of the year.
8. Macroalgae: A wide range of macroalgae is abundant in the intertidal areas of Race Rocks. Also, they are easily accessible for research. A small herbarium has been established with samples from Race Rocks over the past years. A more concentrated effort to complete the collection with adequate representation from all species could be possible.
9. Climatalogical studies: The location and relative security of the light station could lead too more detailed data being gathered using underwater arrays for sensors.
10. Alternative Energy: This has a practical aspect as well, since the sustainability of the reserve depends on a source of an inexpensive and renewable source of energy. Research into the effectiveness of different prototypes would be an appropriate avenue to pursue.
11. Ecotourism Impact : There is an obvious need for this due to the ever-increasing use of the area as “Plan B” on the whale- watching itinerary. Furthermore, those benefiting from this activity should be contributing to research to determine the appropriate levels for sustainability for this industry.
12. Hydrography and Geology. Over the past month we have certainly seen an extraordinary amount of activity in this area. This could stimulate the interest in more research in the waters of greater depth surrounding the main islands. Missing from the research done in the spring of 1999 was a thorough biological survey of the areas in water over 20 meters in depth at Race Rocks. It would not be inappropriate to seek to have some filming done in areas over 20 meters in depth. This is important since we should be aware of the type of life distributed there if boaters and fishermen are going to be allowed to anchor in the deeper waters. This concern is real since there is an increasing concentration of halibut fishers in the area working the 30 to 100 meter depth.
13. Marine Mammal Research. Chris Malcolm and others from the Whale Research Lab indicated an interest in making contact with Pearson College in the fall term to help out with the fall university field trip.
Projects for the Islands
Garry Fletcher, April, 1999
Three boatloads of Guests departed the Pearson College docks for Race Rocks Ecological Reserve at 8:30 on the morning of April 7, 1999. For many of the workshop visitors, this was their first visit to Race Rocks, and the weather cooperated. On their return, they toured the Race Rocks reference Collection recently set up in the library of Lester Pearson College.The sign for the collection represents the name given to the area by the people who speak the Clalum language. It was pointed out as : Race Rocks 
“Qhuwyingh” Pilot Marine Protected Area. This name in Clalum means the area of swift waters. After coffee break in the faculty lounge, the first session was held in Max Bell Hall on the campus.
In opening the session in Max Bell Hall, special recognition was given to Dr. Bristol Foster who was in attendance. It was noted that he was “The Grandfather “of the ecological reserve at Race Rocks as he had been so helpful when he served as the Director of Ecological Reserves in the BC Parks Department in 1979-80. Pearson College students worked with his office to expedite the creation of the reserve.
In this view, the black area is either where land is located, or it represents the margins of the survey. Bentinck Island appears at the top of the picture. Great Race Rocks, where the light station is located is the large island in the center of the picture. Shoreline margins are not yet accurate. The present boundaries of the Ecological reserve are more or less the outer limits of the red area at 36 meters.
Jim Galloway of the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, B.C. gave a presentation on “Managed Surveys” done recently at Race Rocks. The images from the multibeam sonar have provided a unique look at the hydrography down to 100 meters. The outline of his presentation is in the database.
John Harper of Coastal and Ocean Resources, Inc. gave his presentation on the Seabed Imaging and Mapping System – Seabed Classification of Substrate, Epifauna and Epiflora. This system uses a towed video camera to acquire seabed imagery that is geo-referenced.
Jon Preston of Quester Tangent Corp. gave a presentation on the recently completed computer generated imagery from the Race Rocks sonar data.
In the last session of the morning, Scott Wallace, who has been studying MPA’s in his Doctorate program at UBC’s program of Management and Conservation, gave a slide show on his work with abalone in research done two years ago at Race Rocks. He noted that the population age class distribution as determined by measurement of size at Race Rocks indicated a good level of recruitment.
The importance of marine refugia and no-take zones for recovery of stocks was emphasized. Scott pointed out that there are no old-growth areas left in the ocean. Whatever our efforts, they are really for restoration. His slide of the Ling Cod taken in an artificial reef community devoid of a complex community of organisms contrasted with the one taken at Race Rocks, surrounded by a luxurious community
In the afternoon Garry Fletcher presented the Race Rocks Ecological Overview Database. Recognition was given to Norm Healey who assisted in the programming of certain aspects of the database. The database consists of over 260 records of ecologically related information on the Race Rocks Area. In addition five other databases are linked.
A brief survey of the structure of the database and a demonstration of the search capabilities showing the searchable categories, and keyword search functions was carried out. During the presentation, three other participants were asked to comment on their work at Race Rocks, which is referenced in the Race Rocks Database. Dr. Anita Brinckmann- Voss commented on her work on taxonomy of hydroids, and research on patterns of seasonal change as demonstrated in her most recent publication. Donna Gibbs of the Vancouver Aquarium commented on her experiences in diving and doing a species list which is also connected through the database. Giovanni Rosso, a Pearson College student, gave a brief summary of his findings on polymorphism in the intertidal Littorina snails at Race Rocks.
In January of 1999, as part of the requirements of the Marine Protected Areas Pilot review process, Garry Fletcher was contracted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to complete The Race Rocks Ecological Overview. An MS Access metadatabase of all the relevant Race Rocks ecological information to that date was assembled over the next few months. This database and accompanying references and audiovisual materials are now available in the library and biology lab at Lester B. Pearson College.
PART 1: RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL OVERVIEW
CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE 1
PART 1– CONTENTS
PART 2– Abstract-
The Project Identification—Information from the RREO metadatabase:
Project Name: Race Rocks Ecological Overview
Publication Date April 19,1999
Author Garry L. Fletcher
PART 3– AGENDA
PILOT MPA Workshop at Lester Pearson College
AGENDA APRIL 7, 1999
THE RACE ROCKS PILOT MPA
ECOSYSTEM OVERVIEW WORKSHOP
LESTER B. PEARSON COLLEGE
8:15 –Depart Pearson College docks for Race Rocks field trip
10:00— Return to Pearson College and go to the library for a quick view of the Race Rocks MPA Collection.
10:10— To the Faculty Common Room for Coffee
10:30 — Introduction to the Pilot MPA process in Max Bell Hall : Brian Smiley
10:45 — Managed Surveys : Jim Galloway, John Harper and Jon Preston
12:00 – Scott Wallace –Benthos Research at Race Rocks
12:30- Lunch served in the Dining Hall
1: 30 PM- The RREO Database presented by Garry Fletcher and Norm Healey
2: 45 – A discussion on the gaps in Science at the Race Rocks Pilot MPA
and the future of the protected area.
4:00 – A view of Underwater towed video- Pam Thuringer of Archipelago Marine
4:30—Workshop ends
Garry Fletcher, April, 1999
PART 4– Summary Report: RREO – PILOT MARINE PROTECTED AREA WORKSHOP –APRIL 7/99
PART 5–SCIENCE AND PLANNING FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE:
Gaps in research Projects for the islands: Some Actions that need to be taken
PART 6—FUTURE DATABASE LINKAGES
PART 7–ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY FOR RACE ROCKS — DESTAFFING
TITLE PAGE 2 
PART 8.-–THE FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE AND RACE ROCKS
PART 9-–EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE DATABASE.
PART 10-–LIST OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
PART 11--SAMPLE SHORT FORM of RR DATABASE.
PART 12 — RACE ROCKS CONTACTS INCLUDED IN DATABASE
PART 13--SAMPLES OF OTHER SECTIONS OF THE DATABASE
APPENDIX 1 : THE RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN (June 1988 version)
APPENDIX 2: PERMIT FOR ACTIVITIES IN THE RESERVE
APPENDIX 3: BAMBERTON REPORT OF FIRST NATIONS MARINE RESOURCES.
APPENDIX 4: EXCERPT FROM PROPOSED PARK STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA 1976
APPENDIX 5: EXCERPT FROM THE RACE ROCKS NATIONAL MARINE PARK PROPOSAL. 1976
Carol and Mike Slater, formerly the light keepers and presently employees of Pearson College as Ecoguardians at Race Rocks attended the meeting. They will continue to live at Race Rocks until the end of June at which time there is no further funding available from Lester Pearson College. (Funding was provided and they stayed on until retirement in 2008). They were able to add their concerns to the possible problems that will come when surveillance of the island is not being done.
The Race Rocks ecosystem was given token protection in 1980 with the creation of an ecological reserve, and that protection strengthened in 1990 with a total closure on commercial fisheries and a partial closure on recreational fisheries. However, the ecological integrity that the place retains today would not be possible without the watchful eyes of the past light keepers and assistant keepers. We first met Trev and Flo Anderson in the late 70’s and started to work in this area as an outdoor laboratory. These individuals who were on location because of a job with the Coastguard became the eyes and ears in the area, looking after the ecosystem at Race Rocks. The following lightkeepers in the ensuing years have all welcomed us warmly, assisting with our educational programs and helping to facilitate outside researchers on the islands. In addition they have performed a valuable role for the ecology of the area. They regularly stop poachers and commercial harvesters and advise boaters not to anchor in the reserve. They have even been known to hand out information pamphlets, help in the arrest of fishermen who were shooting at sea lions and rescue our own students as well as countless others in the past twenty years. They have also contributed to the daily weather records and reports and daily seawater data recording. Carol Slater’s daily logbooks over the past two years are valued records of the daily changes in the birds and mammals as well as the increase in human impact on the reserve. They are included in the database as the best record of what has been happening in terms of reserve management over the past two years. To think of Race Rocks without these guardians in place is to accept that there will be a considerable human impact on this unique resource.
Return to the Contents page of the Workshop Garry Fletcher, April, 1999
The Higher Level Biology students traditionally have done several field trips each year to Race Rocks. On this trip in April of 1999, each of the groups in the class were documenting the profile and the populations of organisms along transects they had chosen in the Intertidal Zone.
