Scott Wallace: Research on Abalone in BC Reserves.

Posted on Tuesday,June 15, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

Scott Wallace did research in 1997 and 1998 at Race Rocks with Pearson College divers. He studied the population dynamics of the Northern Abalone,Haliotis kamtchatkana. His research was done as part of a PhD thesis in Resource Management from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Wallace, S. S. 1999. Fisheries Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and Biological Diversity:
The role for marine protected areas in British Columbia. Ph.D. Dissertation. The University of British Columbia. Pp. 198.

Wallace, Scott, S. 1999, Evaluating the Effects of Three Forms of Marine Reserve on Northern Abalone Populations in British Columbia, Canada.

Conservation Biology, Vol 13 No 4, August, 1999, pages 882-887.

ABSTRACT: :Marine reserves have been suggested as tools for assisting the management of fisheries by protecting vulnerable marine species from overexploitation. Although there is a theoretical basis for believing that marine reserves may serve as management tools, there are few marine reserves in the world in which to test their effectiveness. My research evaluated three forms of marine reserve on the south coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. I used northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana), a severely depleted shellfish in this region, as an indicator of the effectiveness of the reserves. Abalone populations in eight sites receiving different degrees of spatial protection were counted and measured in situ during the spring of 1996 and 1997. In all sites with enforced harvest closures, populations of abalone were greater, and one site with nearly 40 years of protection had on average much larger (older) abalone. Reproductive output, as a function of abundance and size, was also greater in the enforced reserve areas. Larval dispersal from reserves, and hence the benefit to exploited areas, was not formally surveyed. Nevertheless, the results of my study, combined with knowledge of present abalone populations, life history, and regional hydrodynamics, suggest that establishment of reserves is justified in the absence of perfect knowledge of larval dispersal. (Link to fulll article)

See the Abalone taxonomy file for videos of Scott’s work.

https://www.racerocks.ca/haliotis-kamtschatkana-northern-abalone-the-race-rocks-taxonomy/

Intertidal Invertebrates on the West shore of Great Race Rocks

Posted on Saturday,June 12, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

The intertidal zone on the West side of Great Race Rocks as viewed and photographed on June 12, 1999 at a minus 0.1 tide. The predominant macroalgae is Hedophylum sp. although immature bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) is also anchored in this zone close to the shore. The small island on the North West corner is completely exposed at low tide but submerged at high tide. It contains a rich assortment of hydroids as well as other invertebrates where Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss has collected specimens at the zero tidal level.

Small pink dots of a Melobesia mediocris, a calcareous pink encrusting algae which grows as an epiphyte on the leaves of surf grass.

Just below the green fringe of surf grass, Phyllospadix scouleri, pink hydrocorals and other hydroid survive the current and wave swept zone.

The hydroid Aglaophemia latirostris with an Intertidal Anemone.

Other Cnidarians such as the green anemone, Anthopleura xanthogrammica, are found in the low intertidal area. These large anemone with symbiotic algae are also found in the surge channel on the south-west corner. The knife placed in the picture for scale measures 10cm in length.

Giant red urchins Strongylocentrotus franciscanis live here at the upper limits of their range and the purple urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus also inhabits a narrow band in this area.

A giant barnacle, Balanus nubilus plays host to a colony of Symplectoscyphus turgidus (formerly Sertularella turgida) . Hydrocoral, (Allopora sp.) encrusts much of the substrate

Two of the small caves at this level yield a variety of invertebrates. The ceilings of these caves usually support a variety of hydroids

The floor of this cave on the south-west corner is covered with the red encrusting sponge, Ophlitaspongia

Here on the small island, the purple urchins reside in a crevasse next to the mussle Mytilus californianus.

Harbour Seal Boat Impacts

Posted on Wednesday,June 9, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

This dead harbour seal pup was the first of two found in a single week in Sept 2009 in the waters near Race Rocks. A boat traveling at great speed decapitated this animal and left another slice on the neck in the tell-tale pattern of propeller wounds.

CASE STUDY: CONTROL OF SPEED OF BOATS
IN THE RACE ROCKS PILOT MARINE PROTECTED AREA

With the increase of marine ecotourism in the Southern part of Vancouver Island, the incidence of boats coming in contact with marine animals has become an issue. Commercial Whale-watching companies operating out of Victoria have contributed to a significant increase in boat traffic in the Race Rocks area, and although some respect the speed limits of the reserve, others have been slow to catch on. We recommend that boats proceed very slowly (no noticeable wake) and avoid coming too close to marine mammals or feeding and nesting marine birds. In the 1998 summer, at least three baby seals were struck and killed by boat motors. Baby Seals lie near the surface of the water and have no innate fear of rapidly moving boats. Adult seals and sea lions also occasionally get hit.

One example of a marine mammal collision is documented below from the Bamfield area. We present it here as a reminder to those in motor boats that speed must be controlled especially near marine mammal colonies. Our thanks to Sue Sanders and Nathan Webb of Bamfield Marine Station for the following information:

Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999:

The seal in the picture was found by the driver of the School Boat, as he was dropping kids off on their way home, he was in the middle of Grappler Inlet, in Port Desire. (not sure if you are familiar with Bamfield- West side- Vancouver Island). This is a relatively sheltered area, but boats do go speeding through there. The driver contacted me at the station, as he thought perhaps I would be able to help the seal ( I am a small animal veterinarian as well as a PhD grad student). I went back to the site where the seal was with the driver, and using a large fish net we were able to get him out of the water and onto the boat. By the time we got to him he was barely able to maintain himself at the surface. Once in the boat he initially thrashed around a little, but then calmed down as soon as I placed my hands on him. As you can see from the picture, there was a large facial injury to the right side of his head, with a lot of musculature missing. Based on the amount of bleeding at the time of our recovery of the seal I would say he had lost a lot of blood, there was also frothy blood from his nostrils and mouth. I listened to his lungs and felt that there was significant fluid within the chest cavity also. Given the extreme nature of his injury and his poor condition I elected to euthanize him to alleviate further pain and suffering. In my opinion, I do not believe he could have survived even with major medical intervention, if such facilities had been available. I think this poor seal was on the verge of drowning, in addition to his severe injury, that appears to have been from a propeller. Good luck with your pilot study, emphasizing safe boating practices, and speed reduction is essential. I think people generally expect that marine animals will get out of the way of boats, but as we know this is not always the case.”

By Sue Sanders
Bamfield

Tidepool work -Environmental Systems 1999

Posted on Tuesday,April 27, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

: Working in tide pool area near peg #6

: Intertidal Anemone and Blood Star in a tidepool

: Pool #4

: Harbour seals on middle rocks: photographs by Martin Kryl

: Martin measuring to pool#6

: tidepool #5

: Garry at tide pool#5

Higher Level Biology field trip to Race Rocks-April 1999

Posted on Monday,April 5, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

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.

: Cammie

: David

: Brenda

: Teboho

: Shamsher

The Diving Service Schools Project 1999

Posted on Wednesday,March 3, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

Link to our 1997-98 season of the Diving Service Schools Project.

In the spring term, 1999, the students of the Diving Service took groups of grade 7 students from the Sooke school district on field trips to the Marine Protected Area of Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.

GOALS OF THE DIVING SERVICE SCHOOLS PROGRAM:

To introduce students to the role of marine coastal ecosystems in the culture of First Nations people .a) Ceremonial interaction with the ecosystem
b) Traditional sources of food from rocky intertidal ecosystems.
c) Ensuring sustainability of resources.To enable the students to identify and experience first hand the components of a complete functioning marine ecological system.a) Energy implications
b) Invertebrate adaptations and escape responses of shellfish.
(c) The local food web.To enable students to recognize their role in the stewardship of marine ecosystems.a)The “Adopt an Ecosystem” concept.
b)Oil Spills and our responsibilities
c)Things we throw into the marine environment.
To demonstrate the role of research in protecting ecosytems.(a) We can all do useful ecological baseline studies
(b) Sustainability of Resources.
(c) Marine Protected Areas
The program we are running consists of the following field lab stations.. click on the photos below for enlargements

	2:15 pm Station A: The school group arrives at Lester Pearson College. A Pearson College student in the Diving Service meets the class behind the Pool and provides a worksheet on the gray whale skeleton for our first study station. (BRING PENCILS) .
	2:45 pm – Life jackets are issued, the students proceed to the docks and by this time the divers are prepared to take the students aboard the boats “Hyaku” and “Second Nature”and depart for Race Rocks.
	Appropriate warm clothing must be worn: (touques, gloves, waterproof boots, warm jackets- it does not matter what you look like. Even on warm days on land, it can be very cold out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca !!)
	3:00 pm station b : Entering the Race Rocks Marine Ecological Reserve, we will view the elephant seals, California and Northern sea lions and harbour seals from the boat. Students will be asked questions about seals and sea lions.
(	(The ancestors of Debbie and her son Kyle in this picture were the Eastwoods.–lightkeepers at RR 1891-1919). 3:15pm – Students arrive at Race Rocks. With the Pearson College students as guides, they will go in three groups, to three more field lab stations.
	Station C : With the divers in the boats and at the dock, they will get an understanding of how Diving may be used as a tool to study underwater life. They will also be able to see some of the facilities of the light station which are necessary to allow humans to be included in this ecosystem
	Station D : In our Science Lab-Workshop at Race Rocks, they will see specimens in the touch tanks and be able to study feeding, locomotion and escape behaviors on the specimens. It would help if students come prepared with a basic knowledge of some of the characteristics of some the major phylums of invertebrates.
Sponges being fed a harmless yellow dye to trace water currents	4:40 pm– Students return to Pearson College.

In order to make the experience more enjoyable and informative for everyone, we suggest that the students do some research before coming on the field lab. It would make things more interesting if they could get a basic familiarity with some of the possible species in the different phylums which they will be seeing at Race Rocks.

Some possibilities are : Phylum Porifera:sponges, Phylum Cnidaria: sea anemone, hydroids, corals, Phylum Mollusca: mussels, abalone, scallops, Phylum Annelida: tubeworms, Phylum Arthropoda : barnacles, shrimp, crabs, Phylum Echinodermata: sea stars,sea cucumbers, sea urchins, Phylum Chordata: sea squirts, marine mammals and marine birds.
By researching elsewhere in the Taxonomy Files, they may find reference to some of these organisms that live in the Marine Protected Area – Race Rocks Ecological reserve .
The students of Pearson College in the diving service program are looking forward to the school labs program. With your full cooperation, enthusiasm and imagination, the school labs will prove to be very informative and exciting for all of us.
This page was originally designed by Eve from Quebec and Heather from Manitoba. They were the members of the diving activity who co-ordinated the schools labs in the spring of 1997. modified– 03/03/99

Color Polymorphism in the Intertidal Snail Littorina sitkana at Race Rocks

Posted on Monday,February 15, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

Patterns of Color Polymorphism in the Intertidal Snail Littorina sitkana in the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area.

: Figure 1 In Fig. 1 the snails were purposely placed on the white quartz substrate to show the contrast between a shell of color 27 ( white ) and some of colors 1 – 10 ( Black to grey ).

: Figure 2 The same process was repeated in Fig. 2 below only on black, basaltic substrate adjacent in the same tidepool. (Note three black snails (color 1-10) in lower left hand corner.)

: In Figure 3. Several colors of snail can be seen grazing on the golden diatoms in Pool 4 in the spring of 1998.

Extended Essay done by: Giovanni Rosso, Lester Pearson College, 1998 .
The complete version of the research is available in the Library at the college.

Abstract:
As with most intertidal gastropods, Littorina sitkana shows remarkable variations in shell color. This occurs both in microhabitats which are exposed or sheltered from wave action. There seemed to be a close link between the shell coloration of the periwinkle and the color of the background substrate. Field work was carried out on the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area in order to investigate patterns of color polymorphism. Evidence from previous studies was used to support interpretations and understand certain behaviors.
The results showed that in the study site there was a very strong relation between the shades of the shells and the colors of the rocks. Light colored shells stayed on light shaded rocks and vice versa. An interesting pattern was noticed with the white morphs. These were rare along the coast
(only 2%), but were present in relatively high numbers in tidepools of white quartz. From previous experience (Ron J.Etter,1988), these morphs seem to have developed as evolutionary response a higher resistance to physiological stress from drastic temperature changes between tides. Some results showed that the white morph is present in an unexpectedly high percentage at the juvenile stage, but then their number decreases dramatically. As in Etter’s study more research needs to be made on the role visual predators have in this phenomenon.

ROSSO, Giovanni Edoardo 0034 -083

Patterns of Color Polymorphism in the Intertidal Snail Littorina littorea at

the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area.

AN EXTENDED ESSAY PREPARED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Candidate number: 0034 – 083 February 1999

Name: Rosso, Giovanni Edoardo
Best language: Italian
School: Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific
Subject: Environmental Systems
Supervisor: Mr. Garry Fletcher

Table of contents:

Abstract ————————————————————— 3

Introduction ———————————————————- 4

Materials and methods ———————————————- 5

Data analysis ———————————————————- 7

Conclusion ———————————————————– 12

Observations ——————————————————— 13

Evaluation ———————————————————— 16

Suggestions for further studies ———————————— 16

Acknowledgments ——- ——————————————- 18

Literature cited —————————————————— 18

Appendix ————————————————————- 19

Abstract:

As most intertidal gastropods, the Littorina littorea shows remarkable variation in shell color. This occurs in both microhabitats that are exposed or sheltered from wave action. There appeared to be a close link between the shell coloration of the periwinkle and the color of the background surface. Fieldwork was carried out at the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area in order to investigate patterns of color polymorphism. Evidence from previous studies was also taken into account to better support interpretations and understand certain behaviors.

The results showed that in the study site there was a very strong relation between the color of the shells and the color of the rocks. Light colored shells lived on light shaded rocks and vice versa. An interesting pattern was noticed on the white morphs. These were rare along the coast (Only 2%), but were present in relatively high numbers in tidepools set in white quartz. From previous experience (Ron J Etter, 1988 ), these morphs seem to have developed, as an evolutionary response, a higher resistance to physiological stress from drastic temperature changes between tides. Some results showed that the white morph is present in an unexpectedly high percentage at the juvenile stage, but then their number decreases dramatically with age. As in Etter’s study, more research needs to be done on the role of visual predators in this phenomenon.

Introduction:

There is strong evidence to prove that intertidal gastropods are highly polymorphic for shell coloration (Ron J Etter, 1987). Even within a single species it is not uncommon to find considerable shell color variation in a single trait (Laurie Burham, 1988 ). In the genus Littorina the color of the shell often appears to be parallel to the one of the background (Heller, 1975; Smith, 1976; Reimehen, 1979; Hughes and Mather, 1986 ). Nevertheless the causes and patterns of color polymorphism. in intertidal gastropods are still a fairly unexplored field. Many paths have been undertaken to make some light upon these obscure areas. The most common interpretation was always the presence of visual predators (Ron J Etter, 1987) like birds and fish. Others investigated on the effects of the shells diets. But more recent studies ( Rowland, 1976; Ossborne, 1977; Berry, 1983 ; Etter, unpubl. ) have shown that diet virtually does not affect the shell coloration, although the intensity of pigmentation might be slightly altered. Finally, physiological stress has been introduced as a possible cause color polymorphism. A very interesting study, made by Ron J. Etter on the intertidal snail Nucella Lapillus, shows how the white coloration suffers much less from temperature variations in dry micro habitats as opposed to the brown morphs. With his work he gave some revolutionary insights on the distribution of the shells according to their color.

In my fieldwork I chose to disprove the null hypothesis that there is no link between the color of the periwinkle and the color of the substrate it is living on. In order to do this I sampled a great quantity of empty shells and scaled their color from I to 27. 1 then chose five rocky coastal areas, each of a different shade. I analyzed the color of the live shells on each of the chosen rocks, scaled them according to their color and then graphed the results. I also observed the young shells in the inside of barnacles and took notice of their color frequencies in relation to their quantity. I ended my study looking in some tide pools and recording new surprising results. I concluded that:

There is a link between the color of the shell and the background color.4

I roughly calculated that between one station and the other there was a change in tide level of 13 cm. I therefore kept this in account and lowered the quadrat accordingly into the water.

Data analysis-

Rock – 1 (Black)

The rock contained a creek were I noticed a very high density of periwinkles in a very limited area. In the inside of the creek they were almost piled and glued on top of each other. With the help of a pen I extracted them and laid them on a white sheet of paper. Once I accomplished the process of identification I put them back. I noticed that the bigger shells (10 to 14 mm wide) were located on top of the smaller ones (3 to 6 mm wide). This made me think that the bigger ones wanted to protect the smaller ones from swells and predators. It actually does work as a protection system, but it surely is not because of the kind nature of periwinkles. It is obviously a matter of physical size.

Rock #1 -Shade #1

From the graph we see that the black rock hosted the darkest shades, from 1 to 5. The average number of individuals per shade is 7.6. The average shell color is 3.

Rock # 2- Dark grey

As opposed to the previous case the surface of rock # 2 was rather flat. Population was regularly distributed. All shells seemed to be above 5 mm in width. Here I had the opportunity to understand the great resistance that periwinkles have to salinity changes. In fact some of the shells were located under the flow of a fresh water pipe. It might have been a coincidence but these shells were slightly bigger (7 to 12mm wide).

Rock #2 – Shade 2

The graph shows that there are some exceptions (Color 1, 3) to the trend that has been shown in the previous graph. I guessed that these are the cases of lucky shells that have not jet been seen by birds or fish. The average number of individuals per shade is 4.25 . The average shell color is 13.6 .

Rock – 3 (Brownish red)

The reddish color of the rock came from many small algae that covered its surface. I did not notice any irregular patterns in distribution. The shells seemed to be above 5 mm in width.

The background color was parallel to the shade of the periwinkles. Color 1 and 20 appear to be exceptions: only three individuals in total. The average number of individuals per shade is 4.4 . The average shell color is 9.4.

Rock – 4 (Light brown)

Rock #3 -Shade 3

The surface of the rock was very irregular.. Some areas were covered with dead barnacles ( Balanus sp. ). I noticed that here the shells were smaller in size and they tended to be gathered around the barnacles. Nevertheless I repeated the process.

Rock #4 -Shade 4

The population reflects the previous trends. The average number of individuals per shade is 3.8. The average shell color is 11.3.

Rock – 5 (White rock with dark patches)

This rock was one of the most interesting ones. In fact, the two different shades of the rock gave place to a particular phenomenon that clearly disproved the null hypothesis. I tried to be as precise as I could in distinguishing the shells on the white and dark spots. I noticed the net distinction between the color polymorphism on the two areas.

Rock #5 -Shade 5

In the light patches the average number of individuals was 4.3. The average shell color was 23. In the dark areas the average number of individuals was 4.8. The average shell color was 3.

If the color of the shell would be directly proportional to the one of the rock, the average shell colors would be:

Ideal Model

Rock 1


3
Rock 2	13
Rock 3	8
Rock 4	18.5
Rock 5	24.5 / 3

Actual Model

In the actual experiment the averages were:

Rock 1


7.6
Rock 2	13.6
Rock 3	9.4
Rock 4	11.3
Rock 5	23 / 4.8

I assume that the dark grey rock is actually lighter than the brownish red

one. If we observe the results we understand that that:


Rock Number Actual Shade	Ideal One	Error
1	7.6	3	4.6
2	13.6	13	0.6
3	9.4	8	1.4
4	11.3	18.5	7.2
5	23 / 4.8	24.5 / 3	1 / 1.8

Considering that a minority of the shell color numbers was far away from the average: the average error is of 2.8. This means that on average the actual color was 2.8 units away from the ideal one, therefore disproving the null hypothesis. (Chi square test was used to verify the results.)

Conclusions:

The data analysis clearly shows that in the Race Rocks area there is a very strong relation between the color of the shell and the color of the background they are standing on. The shells with light shades are found on light colored rocks. The same relation is true also for the opposite extreme case were we find black shells on black rocks.

I feel that the model we can create from this experience is relevant above all because the consequences of human presence are reduced to very low levels. In fact, I have been operating in a Marine Protected Area were not many people go. The area is relatively free both from water and air pollution. The only predators are the natural ones. Besides this, the ecosystem is intact and the populations of all the organisms are at almost climax level. The amount of visual predators includes crabs, sea gulls, black oystercatchers, pigeon guillmonts, otters and fish.

From the observations made (p. 13, second part) on the entirely white morphs, we may deduce that there is a strong link between what Ron J. Etter found out on the Nucella lapillus and the Littorina littorea. Putting the pieces of the puzzle together we notice that the distribution of periwinkles is obviously affected by numerous reasons. There seems to be a wide color gap between the shades 1 to 26 and 27. The first twenty-six, when wet, are not very different from each other. The white morph instead is clearly identifiable both when it is wet or dry. If we keep in account that the vast majority of the coastal area on Race Rocks is dark, obviously it will be easier to for shells 1 to 26 hide. The white shells instead have such a great disadvantage that only 2% survive. Keeping in account Etter’s results we may conclude that, excluding a minority of extraordinary circumstances, all these deaths are caused by predators. In fact, when the juvenile periwinkles leave the barnacles, their shell is still soft. Now, if the white periwinkles are born near an area of white surface, then their chances of being seen decrease and actual groupings of white shells may be noticed. The color of their shell also allows them to bare physiological stress much better than the darker shades. The stress comes from the drastic changes in temperature between tide variations. In the case of the Nucella lapillus, in Etter’s experiment, the white shells inhabited most of the sheltered areas and, as previously mentioned, dry areas. This could also apply to the Littorina littorea, but on the Race Rocks Island the sheltered areas are very few and the number of predators is high. The white quartz is the only substrate that can host them (once they leave the Balanus sp.). I feel that if the ocean conditions were not as rough and there would be fewer

predators, the white morphs would also be seen on the darker rocks. In the tide pool both the white morph and the dark one live together The mortality of the last though is obviously higher, both for predation and stress (Ron J Etter).

In the dark areas the presence of the white morph is almost nonexistent (2%). But the shells belonging to shades 1 to 26 are distributed according to a remarkable pattern. On light colored rocks we will find shells that belong to the high numbers. In the opposite case the same trend applies. – In the area I took in exam this close relation is probably emphasized by the high intensity of predation. The contrasts are easily spotted and eliminated. Therefore, in the absence of predators, I think that the darker shells would be able to live on any color surface. Of course the dark population would suffer more in the dry areas as opposed to the lower levels.

Observations:

As I was watching the newborn shells (about 1 mm wide) in the dead barnacles I found out that the presence of white shells is unexpectedly high at this stage. I tried counting them and recording the results. On average a dead 20-mm wide Balanus sp. holds between four and eight shells of Littorina littorea. I analyzed ten samples in two different areas and recorded the number of white juvenile shells:

Area


Total number of shells	Number of white shells
1	5	2
	6	2
	8	4
	4	3
	4	1
	5	3
	6	4
	7	3
	6	2
	8	5
2	4	2
	7	4
	8	5
	3	0
	5	3
	7	4
	8	4
	6	3
	4	3
	9	5

In the first area the average Balanus sp. held 5.9 periwinkles and 2.9

were white or very light colored. The percentage of white shell was of 49.

In the second area the average Balanus sp. held 6.1 periwinkles and

3.3 were white. The percentage of white shells was of 54.

The results show that on average 51.5% of the shells are white. If we

make an exception for the tidepools, the percentage of white shells present

on the protected coastal areas is 2 (This is an approximate calculation made

when collecting the dead samples and when counting the live ones). This

means that 49.5% are eaten or die before reaching a sufficient size to move

in an area where they would be protected by the background they are

standing on. According to the study made by Ron J. Etter on the intertidal

snail, Nucella lapillus, when the brown morphs and the white ones were put

on the same exposed coastal area, there were virtually no differences in the

mortality rates of the two. If we dare to make a parallel between the two

species, it would be therefore wrong to assume that the white morphs die

because of natural causes such as diseases or disadaptation. It is my opinion

that literally 49.5% of the white morphs is victims of visual predators

because they can easily be seen before reaching an area where they would

camouflage. In this case, I am not including tide pools with white bottom

and where the water is shallow. I am referring to the morph with shade 27,

which is not common along the coast probably because of the lack of

almost entirely white rocks.

On the other hand I mentioned tied pools because of a specific reason. In

fact, on the Southwestern part of the island there are six tide pools, each

with different depths and different consequent bottom coloration. During

the days of the experiment this area was inaccessible for the presence of

about 75 California sea lions and about 23 Stellar. Nevertheless, in previous

visits to the island for other reasons (the reserve is in fact managed by

Pearson College and is used for several academic programs, projects and

environmentally oriented diving) I had the opportunity to observe the

presence in tide pool – 4 of about 20 entirely white shells of Littorina littorea

standing on white quartz. This had originated a question that had long

remained without an answer. Why can the white periwinkles be found only in this tide pool (if we exclude the two- percent I was talking about before)? The most common explanation was based on the presence of certain minerals, difficult predation and a genetic mutation that occurred only there. To be honest, after coming across Ron J. Etters study on the Nucella Lapillus, it was hard for me not to relate the two cases.. In his study he states that the white morph heats up at a lower rate as opposed to the brown morph in shallow and protected areas. Observing a higher rate of mortality (not due to predation) in the brown morph, he deduced that the white morph had developed a better defense mechanism against physiological stress. It therefore has higher chances of survival in very shallow water or in those areas that remain exposed between tides for a long time. Although brown snails can avoid exposure to the sun by moving to more shaded and moist microenvironments, Etter thinks their greater susceptibility to stress nonetheless puts them at a disadvantage by limiting their foraging area and increasing the amount of time that they must spend in hiding- This in turn could lead to slower growth rates and reduced levels of fecundity (Laurie Burnham, Scientific American, September 1988 ). On the other hand this does not exclude the presence of natural predators, especially in young age.

If we compare these results to the observations made on Race Rocks we may find many points in common. Especially after I had a new confirmation. In fact, in a tide pool with difficult access in another part of the island I found a similar behavior. On a small area of white quartz I found five entirely white periwinkles. There is a big difference in size between the ones I found there and the population of tide pool – 4. The first ones were about 2-3 mm wide; the second ones were 6-12mm. This might be due to the fact that they were living in a creek of difficult access to most predators. Nevertheless the pattern fits: the white periwinkles are almost all found in areas of shallow water or that remain exposed for a long time between the action of tides. On the other hand these are the only areas were white quartz is found on the island. The observations made on the fieldwork make me almost certain that the reasons for the white morphs to be in the tide pools are an adaptation to physiological stress and a perfect camouflage. In Etters experiment most of the protected areas were inhabited by white morphs. On Race Rocks only two tide pools contained such organisms and in very low quantities. I think this can be explained by the combination of several factors. In the first place the ocean conditions around the island are

very rough and they make it hard for the shells to survive in all areas.. In the second place there is very limited quantities of white rock were the shells can camouflage. Finally the very high quantity of visual predators, both from the air and form the sea, make it very difficult for these shells to move around because they will immediately be seen.

Evaluation:

Due to the lack of hi-tech material I had to verify my observations with simple tools- This forced me to use other people’s previous studies (Ron J. Etter) to better understand what I saw. If I had disposed of an instrument to measure the internal temperature of the shells I could have repeated Etters experiment on the Littorina littorea.

My experiments allow the creation of a model that is true, as far as we know, only on the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area. Other generalizations should be verified. In order to obtain a more reliable model the experiment should be repeated over a longer period of time on a regular basis. The month of October is a period when there is a significant increase in predation also due to the fact that the colony of seagulls on the island is incremented by the newborn.

I chose a vast scale of shade variations in order to achieve more precise results. By doing this, it was hard for me to identify exactly to which number each shell belonged. Even though I tried my best I might have made some mistakes.

Knowing that there are significant differences in distribution between the exposed and the sheltered areas, each of the sites was not exposed to the same environmental conditions. Some were more exposed to currents than others.

Suggestions for further studies:

As I mentioned in the introduction the causes and patterns of color polymorphism in intertidal gastropods are a fairly unexplored field. There are therefore still many grey areas that need to be cleared.

The fieldwork I had the opportunity to make on Race Rocks allowed me to learned many things on these fascinating creatures, but posed also many questions to which I have no answer.

I was surprised when I found so many white periwinkles in the barnacles. It would be interesting to find out exactly what happens to them once they leave these shells:

Who exactly are their predators?

At which stage in growth does their shell become too hard to be digested?

How do they choose the areas where they stop?

Are there certain types of minerals that create better conditions for living? Is there a link at all?

What is the exact probability for a shell to be white at birth?

Is the gene universal or is it majority- present in certain areas?

How does the alimentation affect growth and reproduction rate?

The white shells are more tolerant to physiological stress, but does this affect the immunitary system? Which diseases are the most common?

The fieldwork I have done seems to apply for Race Rocks, but is it true also in other nearby areas? To what extent does the exposure to rough environmental conditions affect distribution? Since the tide pool was covered and surrounded by sea lions, it was obviously affected by their waste products. The population of periwinkles seems to be fairly stable? How tolerant are these shells to changes in pH? Is there a difference between the degree of tolerance of the dark and the white morphs?

Acknowledgments

I sincerely thank my supervisor, Mr. Garry Fletcher, for his encouragement, support, precious advise and constructive criticism. I am also very grateful to Mr. Mike and Miss. Carol Slater for hosting me on the island during the field work. I will never forget the delicious supper we had together on Thanksgiving Day. In the end, I would like to thank Mr. Chris Blondeau for his sincere interest and for bringing me at Race Rocks by boat.

Literature cited:

Laurie Burnaham, September 1988, The hard shell, pp.26-27, Scientific American.

Ron J. Etter, April 1987, Physiological stress and color polymorphism in the

intertidal snail Nucella Lapillus, Museum of comparative zoology, Harvard

University, Cambrige, MA 02138.

Jane M. Hughes and Peter B. Mather, December 1984, Evidence for predation as a

factor in determining shell colorfrequencies in a Mangrove snail Littorina Sp.,

School ofAustralian Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan,

Queensland,Australia.

APPENDIX 1. Photographs of Littorina littorea

In Fig. 1 the snails were purposely placed on the white quartz substrate to show the contrast

between a shell of color 27 (white) and some of colors

1 – 10 ( Black to grey).

The same process was repeated in Fig. 2 below only on black, basaltic substrate adjacent in the

same tidepool. (Note three black snails (color 1-10) in lower left hand corner.)

Figure 1 Figure 2

Apendix 2. Photographs of the shell shades of Littorina littorea

There was a very significant difference in color between the dry and the wet shells. In the two pictures some of the shells had to be moved around in order to maintain the darker periwinkles before the lighter ones. For example, wet shell number 11 had to be moved to 9 on the dry scale

Appendix 3. Picture from Ron J. Etters fieldwork

Ron J. Etter noticed that in the Nucella Lapillus the white morph was more common in the sheltered areas. The brown one dominated in the areas of wave exposure. He concluded that the color of sea shells on the seashore may be an evolutionary response to physiological stress.

The color of seashells on the seashore may be an evolutionary response to physiological stress

Photographs of Littorina sitkanaFigure 1
In Fig. 1 the snails were purposely placed on the white quartz substrate to show the contrast between a shell of color 27 ( white ) and some of colors 1 – 10 ( Black to grey ).

The same process was repeated in Fig. 2 below only on black, basaltic substrate adjacent in the same tidepool. (Note three black snails (color 1-10) in lower left hand corner.)

Figure 2

In Figure 3. Several colors of snail can be seen grazing on the golden diatoms in Pool 4 in the spring of 1998.

ACOUSTICAL BATHYMETRY OF RACE ROCKS

Posted on Monday,February 15, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

ACOUSTICAL BATHYMETRY OF RACE ROCKS

In February 1999 the hydrographic survey boat from The Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, B.C. has done an acoustical bathymetry program which has mapped the seafloor around Race Rocks to a depth of 100 meters. The project is under the direction of James Galloway. This project will eventually involve two other components as well, grab samples at 40 locations underwater and underwater towed video to a depth of 20 meters. More detail will follow on this page as the project progresses, but the initial two images of bathymetry from different perspectives are presented here.
Our thanks to the following who have made this project possible and have shared their results immediately with us.Doug Cartwright Hydrographer
Canadian Hydrographic Service
Pacific RegionAlso thanks to Lt.Mike Brissette at DND for final stages of work on these images.and to James L Galloway , PEng
Canadian Hydrographic Service, Head, Sonar Systems Institute of Ocean Sciences
9860 West Saanich Road
Sidney BC

Note: In this view, the black area is either where land is located, or it represents the margins of the survey .
(2d capture of entire area from south – 1 x magnification ). Bentick 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.
. The second image is a view from the South looking Northward. Colors toward the blue scale are representing depths of almost 100 meters.
( 3d capture of entire area from south : 1x magnification -3 x vertical exaggeration)
We hope to add further interpretation to the pictures , but at this stage they represent a significant step as the first layer of information on the seabed.

These projections represent three dimensional views looking toward Race Rocks from the North West underwater direction.

Abalone tagging at Race Rocks with Pearson College Divers

Posted on Friday,October 30, 1998 by Garry Fletcher

In 1998, we began a long term research program, initiated by Dr. Scott Wallace, on the population dynamics of the Northern Abalone
(Haliotis kamtschatkana). For several years, the Pearson College divers monitored the population. In this video, Pearson College graduate Jim Palardy (PC yr.25) explains the process.

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Draft Management Plan- June 1998

Posted on Monday,June 15, 1998 by Garry Fletcher

Note the final version of the Management Plan that was developed from this version is located here on the BC Parks website:

ARCHIVAL:
Plan Highlights:

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve will be managed to protect the rich intertidal communities and to encourage educational and research benefits while minimizing impacts.

The relationship with Lester B. Pearson College will be formalized to assist in the education, research and management of the ecological reserve.

The addition of Great Race Rock will be pursued to protect the integrity of the area and its values. If Great Race Rocks is acquired the lighthouse lands will be designated as a Protected Area under the Environment and Land Use Act. The former lighthouse buildings will be operated in conjunction with Lester B. Pearson College (under permit) and other partners as an education and research centre to complement the intent of the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.

To provide increased protection to resident groundfish populations, BC Parks will, in consultation with DFO and stakeholders and through direction provided by the emerging joint federal-provincial Marine Protected Areas Strategy, investigate the implications and feasibility of implementing full recreational harvesting closures in Race Rocks either under the federal Fisheries Act or designating the area as a Marine Protected Area under the Oceans Act.

Acknowledgments

The plan was coordinated by Kris Kennett, BC Parks Planner. Garry Fletcher of Lester B. Pearson College developed the initial draft plan, and provided expert knowledge and information. Assistance and expertise was provided by various BC Parks staff including: David Chater, District Manager; Chris Kissinger, Resource Officer; Don McLaren, Area Supervisor; Mona Holley, Acting Wildlife Ecologist; Doug Biffard, Marine Ecologist; Ken Morrison, Conservation Planner and Jim Morris, District Planner.

Introduction

The objective of the ecological reserve program in British Columbia is the conservation of representative and special natural ecosystems, plants and animal species, features and phenomena. Ecological reserves contribute to the maintenance of biological diversity and the protection of genetic materials. They also offer opportunities for scientific research and educational activities. In many ecological reserves, non-consumptive low-intensity uses such as nature appreciation, wildlife viewing, bird watching and photography are allowed and Race Rocks Ecological Reserve features many of these activities.

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was created to protect a unique small rocky island system, intertidal areas and high current subtidal area in the eastern entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is located off the southern tip of Vancouver Island, approximately 17 km southwest of Victoria. It covers an area of 220 ha (Figure 1) and includes nine islets, but does not include Great Race Rock. It was established in 1980 as a result of a proposal by the students and faculty of Lester B. Pearson College.

Purpose of the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Management Plan

This plan defines management goals and objectives for Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. It provides the strategies and guidance necessary to protect and manage the ecological reserve, particularly concerning the protection of natural values, recreation use, research and education uses. The management plan will be the working tool that will require periodic updating. Specific recommendations are documented for a multi-year management program.

Vision

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve will continue to protect the high energy marine system found in the eastern entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Research will assist in the management of the ecological reserve and contribute to the knowledge base of marine systems. The ecological reserve will provide opportunities to increase the awareness of students, visitors and the general public about marine systems and the ecological reserve program. Lester B. Pearson College and the surrounding community will play a large role in the education, research and management of this area. Non-consumptive low-intensity educational uses such as nature appreciation, wildlife viewing, bird watching and photography will continue.

Relationship with Other Land Use Planning

Management planning processes provide a mechanism for public review and support for management strategies. In this respect, an ecological reserve management plan must be considered in terms of its relationship with other land use strategies.

In June 1994, the provincial government announced the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan. This plan recommended that strategic planning occur for marine areas. Marine planning units have now been identified and planning framework statements summarizing values and capabilities have been prepared for the next level of planning. Race Rocks and surrounding areas are included in this process.

The marine environment of the Pacific coast is not well represented in either federal or provincial protected areas systems. The federal and provincial governments are committed to establishing a system of marine protected areas and are developing a strategy to this end. A separate but related initiative is the Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy (PMHL), where the federal and provincial governments are working to form a network of coastal and marine protected areas along the southern Pacific coast. Race Rocks Ecological Reserve is situated in the study area for a national marine conservation feasibility study which will be initiated in 1998-99 as part of the PMHL Program.

Figure 1: Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Key Management Issues

Ecological Reserve Boundary

The ecological reserve includes an area of ocean, nine small islands and reefs bounded by the 36.6 metres contour, which is an outdated notation that does not follow natural features. Because of the presence of the Canadian Coast Guard light station, Great Race Rock has not been included in the ecological reserve. With the decommissioning of these stations, Great Race Rock is available to be added to the ecological reserve to enhance its integrity.

Cooperation with the Federal Government

Jurisdictional responsibilities for the management of the marine environment and marine resources is shared between the federal and provincial governments. For example DFP is responsible for organisms in the water column. The Coast Guard is presently reponsible for the management of Great Race Race Rock. The province has jurisdication over the other islands and the land under the water column. The provincial government is working with federal government agencies of DFO, Parks Canada and Environment Canada to develop and implement a marine protected areas strategy, and with Parks Canada to implement the PMHL program. The Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in Esquimalt tests explosives in the area, which may impact the ecological reserve’s values. Cooperation with the Coast Guard, DFO, Parks Canada and CFB Esquimalt is essential to ensure the best protection for the ecological reserve.

Cooperation with Lester B. Pearson College

Lester B. Pearson College was instrumental in the establishment of the ecological reserve. The faculty and students of the Biology and Environmental Systems program at Pearson College are long-time volunteer ecological reserve wardens. They are actively involved in research and education activities and provide an important monitoring function. Lester B. Pearson College has a temporary agreement with the Coast Guard to operate a research station at the lighthouse on Great Race Rock. Clarification of roles and responsibilities of both Lester B. Pearson College and BC Parks are needed to ensure successful management of the ecological reserve.

Management of Research Activities and Facilities

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve provides outstanding marine research opportunities. Lester B. Pearson College has been the principal research agency and has developed a good database for the ecological reserve and its values. The College has pursued options to use the decommissioned lighthouse buildings as a research and education facility and guardian base.

Management of Education Activities

Given the proximity of an urban centre, Race Rocks Ecological Reserve provides excellent educational opportunities. Lester B. Pearson College uses Race Rocks for their marine ecology program for college and local school students and naturalists. Tourism operators from Victoria offer educational nature tours as well. These activities must be managed to ensure protection of the values of the ecological reserve.

Management of Recreation and Commercial Activities

Commercial and non-commercial recreation activities such as wild life viewing, diving, boating and nature appreciation occur in the ecological reserve, both in the water and on land. These activities require cooperative management with the federal government, tour operators and recreationists to ensure that the values of the ecological reserve are maintained.

Background Summary

The Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Background Report (Appendix 1) provides information on the ecological reserve to provide the basic information and assist in understanding the rationale behind the management plan.

Management Objectives and Actions

Ecological Reserve Boundary and Legal Status

Establishing boundaries is a difficult task, given the problems associated with establishing ‘markers’ in a marine environment. The present boundaries were determined by the normal limits of SCUBA diving and based on the contours of the nautical charts of the time. This has created a situation where features are not captured and the boundary is not well-defined. In addition, metric charts are now the standard which makes the ‘fathom’ description more difficult to determine.

The ecological reserve is protected under the Ecological Reserve Act and the Ecological Reserve Regulations. In addition, the penalty provisions of the Park Act can now be used to assist in protecting the ecological reserve and its values. Organizms in the water column are not subject to provincial legislation, being under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada can manage marine resources under the Fisheries Act and the new Oceans Act. The Oceans Act, enacted in January 1997, also gives DFO the authority to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Under this Act, MPAs can be established for a number of purposes, including conservation and protection of: commercial and non-commercial fisheries resourced; marine mammals and their habitats; endangered or threatened species and their habitats; unique habitats; and areas of high biodiversity or biological productivity. Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and its values, particularly the protection of resident groundfish populations, would benefit from the implementation of full harvesting closures under the Fisheries Act or designating it as a Marine Protected Area under the Oceans Act.

Great Race Rock is surrounded by the ecological reserve but is not part of it. It is the largest island in the group and supports a lighthouse station, which is federally administered. Recently, the federal government has been automating lighthouses and returning surplus Crown provincial land to the provincial government for others uses. BC Parks has the opportunity to add Great Race Rock to the ecological reserve.

Objective:

To provide the best protection for the ecological reserve and its values.

Actions:

In conjunction with DFO, investigate opportunities to expand the boundary from the existing 36.5 m (20 fathom) contour to the 50 m contour.

Investigate opportunities to establish global position system coordinates for identification of the ecological reserve.

Identify ecological reserve boundaries on marine charts and related marine guides and publications.

BC Parks will, through consultations with other agencies, such as DFO and stakeholders and through direction provided by the emerging joint federal-provincial Marine Protected Areas Strategy, investigate the implications and feasibility of implementing full recreational and commercial harvesting closures in Race Rocks either under the federal Fisheries Act or designating the area as a Marine Protected Area under the Oceans Act.

Develop a protocol agreement with DFO to ensure consistent management of the water column and the land base.

Pursue the addition of Great Race Rock to the ecological reserve.

Cooperate with Parks Canada and their national marine conservation area feasibility study.

Conservation and Representation

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve protects a provincially, if not nationally, significant high-current subtidal and intertidal ecosystem. The reserve has ecologically significant and unique assemblages of benthic and pelagic invertebrates. It protects several rare species, including the spiral white snail Opalia, and many rare hydroid species (such as Rhysia fletcheri), that represent unique Canadian or North American occurrences and provides haul outs and feeding areas for elephant seals, sea lions, breeding areas for harbour seals and nesting habitat and migrating resting areas for seabirds.

In 1991, DFO closed Race Rocks Ecological Reserve to commercial fin and shellfish harvesting for all species. Race Rocks is also closed to recreational harvest of shellfish, ling cod and rock fish but remains open for salmon and halibut. Fishing for salmon still occurs inside the ecological reserve boundaries, whereas halibut is largely found in the deeper waters adjacent to the ecological reserve.

Oil spills next to the ecological reserve could potentially be devastating to the sensitive intertidal communities, marine mammal and bird populations. The ecological reserve probably has a relatively short time for self cleansing given its location in a high current zone with high energy exposure from both easterly and westerly winds in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. However, options for protection of this valuable ecosystem in the event of an oil spill should be investigated.

The lighthouse station on Great Race Rock poses two threats to the marine environment. First, sewage from the residences is being discharged directly into the water column. Although the extreme tidal flushing lessens the impact, this situation is not appropriate in an highly valued marine environment. Second, power is provided by diesel generators, and diesel spills pose a hazard to the environment. Alternative technologies for sewage treatment and power generation, such as composting toilets and solar energy, should be investigated. Composting toilet has already been installed in assistant’s residence.

Visitors to the ecological reserve can severely impact the delicate underwater communities by anchoring, or disturb nesting sea birds or resting sea lions and seals by landing or passing too close to these small islets. Boats driven in the reserve at high sppeds endanger the marine mammals.

Objectives:

To ensure the protection and conservation of the ecosystem at Race Rocks.

Actions:

Develop a marine management plan to ensure protection of intertidal and rare species and to ensure that elephant seals, harbour seals, California and Steller’s sea lions, and seabirds are not disturbed on their haulout and nesting sites.

In conjunction with Lester B. Pearson College and commercial tour operators, develop a code of conduct for visiting the ecological reserve to ensure protection of natural values and to maintain a high quality educational experience (including speed restrictions).

Discourage landings on islands through the provision of information and permit requirement.

Discourage anchoring in the ecological reserve through the provision of information.

In conjunction with Marine Protected Areas Strategy initiative, work with DFO in consulting all stakeholders to explore the implementation of full harvesting closures under either the Fisheries Act or the Oceans Act in order to assist in the protection of resident groundfish populations.

Ensure the recognition and clear information of the boundaries of the ecological reserve, speed limits and its protective status are clearly described in the BC Sports Fishing Regulations and on marine charts and guides.

In conjunction with the Oil Spill Recovery Information System (OSRIS), develop and register a strategy for protection of the ecological reserve in the event of an oil spill.

Work with the federal government to clean up and improve the site, including the removal of the present sewage disposal facilities and diesel tanks. Pursue opportunities for compensation. Investigate opportunities to utilize alternative technologies. Monitor technology that make possible more intensive use remotely with less impact on the ecological values.

Institute a monitoring program to determine marine and terrestrial site degradation or enhancement within the ecological reserve.

Research Activities

One of the main objectives of the ecological reserve program is to provide opportunities for scientific research. Race Rocks Ecological Reserve has been very successful at fulfilling this objective through the interests and actions of Lester B. Pearson College. The college undertakes and assists in most of the research conducted at Race Rocks. The students and faculty provide local knowledge, orientation services and willing assistants to other researchers. They also monitor permanent transects and conduct their own research as part of their course requirements.

BC Parks encourages research that contributes to the long-term protection and understanding of ecosystems. Research priorities reflect BC Parks’ mandate, with emphasis on conservation objectives, acute and chronic management problems, and rare and endangered species. To achieve this, research proposals are subjected to a systematic review process. The collected data are required to be made available and shared with the scientific community. As required by the Ecological Reserve Regulations, researchers must require a permit through BC Parks to legitimize their activities.

In the past, Lester B. Pearson College developed a good working relationship with the Coast Guard and the lighthouse keepers. The College was able to use some of the buildings to assist in their research. With the automation of lighthouses, Lester B. Pearson College has taken the opportunity of formalizing the use of the surplus buildings for a two-year period ending in 1999 and presently (since March 1997) employed the former light keepers to stay at Race Rocks. The College proposes to continue to utilize the facilities as an education and research centre.

Objectives:

To encourage and learn from non-destructive research on marine ecosystems that will benefit Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.

Actions:

With assistance from Lester B. Pearson College and other researchers, develop a long term research and monitoring plan to minimize impact to ecological reserve values and maximize research opportunities and benefits.

Ensure all researchers have permits.

Operate buildings on Great Race Rock as a research and education centre, as funding permits. Work with community groups such as Lester B. Pearson College and other partners for the ongoing operation and funding for such as facility through a long term permit.

Develop a comprehensive permit with Lester B. Pearson College which will define roles and responsibilities for education, research and management..

Education

Education is another objective of ecological reserves. Since the late 1970s, Lester B. Pearson College has been using the ecological reserve as an outdoor classroom and educational facility for students from both the college and local schools. In addition, groups like Friends of Ecological Reserves, naturalists, and commercial operators visit the ecological reserve as part of their education programs.

Films and live televised programs such as the “Underwater Safari” series assist in developing an appreciation of the biodiversity with little impact on the ecological reserve. Approval for filming takes into account the purpose of the filming and the type of footage in relation to the purpose of the ecological reserve and the current inventory of ‘stock’ footage available.

The Internet is another means of education. In 1995, Lester B. Pearson College established files connected to their website with information on Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, an ecological reserve publications list and intertidal photographic transects. Since that time the site has expanded to include more records of research, profiles of organisms, tidepools, as well as history. This has raised awareness globally and has resulted in students from other parts of the world undertaking comparative studies.

Race Rocks has a colorful marine history, with the ships that sunk as a result of the rocks and the building of the lighthouse. Little is known about First Nations historical interests and use of the ecological reserve. The college has established an archive on the internet of relevant historical information and images.

Objective:

To increase understanding and appreciation for the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and its intertidal and subtidal ecosystems, history and First Nation culture through education while ensuring the integrity of the ecological reserve.

Actions:

Undertake proactive measures to provide educational information to the public and visitors. Ensure accurate information in fishery regulations, provide information at points of entry (such as marinas); ensure the ecological reserve is mapped on marine charts and navigation guides.

Work with Lester B. Pearson College and other community groups to provide: low impact educational opportunities for schools and the community; offsite educational opportunities; and information on the Internet.

Continue to permit filming for only educational and research purposes. Develop stock footage to respond to standard filming requests.

Monitor the level of educational use and take management actions where necessary and in consultation with Lester B. Pearson College, commercial tour operators and others.

Develop, in consultation with Lester B. Pearson College and First Nations, educational information on ecosystems and the cultural and marine history of Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.

Update existing Race Rocks Ecological Reserve brochure to reflect management direction established in this plan.

Visitor Use

Ecological reserves are established to support research and educational activities. Visitation to the waters surrounding Race Rocks Ecological Reserve has been increasing, particularly those engaged in wild life viewing and diving. Uncontrolled, uninformed and excessive use could result in: behavioral changes or injury to marine mammals and seabirds; poaching of sealife; or physical injury or mortality from handling or improper dive techniques. Given the proximity of the ecological reserve to Victoria and the interest in these types of activities, commercial and recreation use will continue to grow.

Given the role of ecological reserves, uses that occur at Race Rocks should contribute to education or research objectives without negatively impacting the natural values. This may include commercial tours.

Objective:

To permit educational opportunities that have minimal impact to the ecological reserve and increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation for Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and its values.

Actions:

Subject to an impact assessment, only issue permits for commercial activities that are educational or research oriented.

Work with the volunteer warden, Lester B. Pearson College, to provide annual orientation session for commercial operators and tour guides.

Continue to provide public information to increase awareness of the ecological reserve, the potential of ecological impact of various activities, and the need for caution in the ecological reserve. This would include: brochure; accurate information in BC Sports Fishing Regulations; information at points of entry; mapping on marine charts and navigational guides; internet/web site.

Work with commercial operators and researchers to develop a code of conduct within the ecological reserve to ensure protection of the natural values and to maintain a high quality educational experience. Develop a monitoring system with Lester B. Pearson College, site guardian, researchers and commercial tour operators to ensure appropriate behavior of diving and wild life viewing companies and other visitors.

Develop an outreach program and stewards program to assist with the management, and to develop respect for the ecological reserve and its values.

Discourage anchoring in the ecological reserve.

As per the Ecological Reserve Regulations ensure that commercial operators in the ecological reserve have permits for their activities.

Surrounding Land Use

Commercial and sports fishing, nature tours, marine traffic, and explosives testing occur in the waters surrounding the ecological reserve. Presently, part of Great Race Rock is administered by the federal government and partly by Lester B. Pearson College. Although most of the land base will be returned to the Province, the tower, which has been automated, will continue to be administered by the Canadian Coast Guard.

A number of federal and provincial initiatives for planning in the marine environment are either proposed or underway. These include the Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy, Marine Protected Areas Strategy and strategic planning for marine areas that is consistent with the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan.

Objective:

To work with surrounding users to maintain the integrity of the ecological reserve.

Actions:

Establish communications with CFB Esquimalt to determine the impact of nearby explosives testing on, the ecological reserve, and develop mitigative measures if necessary.

Work with DFO to lessen the impact of fishing, whale watching, seal and sea lion observing and bird watching.

Before revestiture of Great Race Rock to the Province, work with federal government to clean up and improve site, including the removal of sewage disposal facilities and diesel tanks. Pursue opportunities for compensation. Investigate opportunities to utilize alternative technologies.

Develop protocol with Coast Guard for their continuing operation of the light tower, including helicopter landings, marine access, repairs.

Work with federal and provincial agencies in marine planning initiatives.

Community Stewardship

Under the volunteer program, BC Parks has an ecological reserve warden program to provide on-site monitoring and reporting on ecological reserves. Since the establishment of Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, the Biology and Environmental Systems faculty and students at Lester B. Pearson College have taken on the role of warden. They were greatly assisted by the former lighthouse keepers stationed at Race Rocks who monitored activities in the ecological reserve and reported violations such as commercial fishing, shooting of sea lions and oiled birds on islands. Since the automation of the lighthouse, the college has an interim agreement with the Coast Guard to use the facilities for the next two years and they have generated private funding to keep the former lighthouse keeper in place as a guardian until March 1, 1998. The role of the site guardian is to support Pearson College’s activities on the island and also support the College’s Ecological Reserve warden duties (eg. provide information and report violations).

BC Parks is now developing a broader conservation stewardship initiative under the volunteer program. This program will encourage community involvement in the stewardship of parks and ecological reserves. Given the interest in Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and its proximity to an urban centre, there are opportunities to implement the program here. The integrity of the ecological reserve will be assisted by involving tour operators and other interests in the stewardship of Race Rocks.

Objective:

To assist BC Parks in the management and protection of the ecological reserve in accordance with the Ecological Reserve Act, including monitoring and reporting activities in the ecological reserve.

Actions:

Work with Lester B. Pearson College as host warden to assist in the management of the ecological reserve. Develop a protocol agreement to define relationship and outline roles and responsibilities for education, research and management, including operation of research facility on Great Race Rock.

In consultation with the volunteer warden, Lester B. Pearson College, develop opportunities for operators, naturalists and others to contribute to the stewardship of the ecological reserve.

Develop procedures to report violations in order to assist with enforcement.

Work with Lester B. Pearson College to provide a presence or guardian to assist in information distribution, education, monitoring and reporting of violations.

Work with DFO and the Coast Guard to enforce site-specific fisheries regulations and objectives.

Relationship with First Nations

First Nation interests and traditional uses of Race Rocks are not documented. A good working relationship between BC Parks and the First Nations people is needed to ensure BC Parks is fulfilling its fiduciary obligations and to develop a mutual understanding of the values of the ecological reserve and its ongoing protection.

Objective:

To develop on-going communication and working relationship with First Nations whose traditional territories cover the ecological reserve.

Actions

Consult with representatives from the Beecher Bay and T’souke First Nations to determine if they used the ecological reserve traditionally.

Ensure regular communication on ecological reserve management issues.

Investigate opportunities to undertake a traditional use study.

Plan Implementation

This section compiles all the actions listed through this plan into three categories.

The implementation plan is divided into three components: ongoing management, priority one actions, and priority two actions.

Ongoing Management

Discourage anchoring and landings on islands in the ecological reserve through the provision of information.

Undertake proactive measures to increase awareness of the ecological reserve, the potential of ecological impact of various activities and the need for caution in the ecological reserve. This would include providing information such as the ecological reserve brochure at points of entry and ensuring accurate information and mapping in BC Sports Fishing Regulations, marine charts and navigational guide.

Only issue permits for activities that are educational or research oriented. Ensure all researchers and commercial operators have permits.

Continue to permit filming for only educational and research purposes. Develop stock footage to respond to standard filming requests.

In consultation with Lester B. Pearson College as the ecological reserve warden, monitor the level of educational use and take management actions where necessary. This may include a site guardian to assist in information distribution, education, monitoring and reporting of violations to BC Parks.

Establish communications with CFB Esquimalt to limit testing near, and impact on, the ecological reserve.

Work with DFO and the Coast Guard to protect the values of the ecological reserve and to lessen the impact of fishing, whale watching and seal and sea lion observing.

Ensure regular communication with First Nations on ecological reserve management issues.

Priority One Actions

Develop a protocol agreement with DFO to ensure consistent management of the water column and the land base.

Pursue the addition of Great Race Rock to the ecological reserve.

Support the application of Park Act Regulations and penalties to ecological reserves.

Cooperate with federal and intergovernmental initiatives such as Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy, Marine Protected Areas Strategy, Parks Canada’s national marine conservation area feasibility study, and other marine planning initiatives.

Work with operators and researchers to develop code of conduct within the ecological reserve to ensure protection of the natural values and to maintain a high quality educational experience.

Work with the federal government to clean up and improve site, including the sewage disposal facilities and diesel tanks. Pursue opportunities for compensation. Investigate opportunities to utilize alternative technologies.

Develop a protocol agreement with Lester B. Pearson College to define relationship and outline roles and responsibilities for education, research, and management issues, including operation of a research facility on Great Race Rocks. Develop a comprehensive research and park use permit with Lester B. Pearson College.

Operate buildings on Great Race Rock as research education centre, as funding permits. Work with community group such as Lester B. Pearson College for the ongoing operation and funding for such as facility through a long term permit.

Develop a monitoring system with Lester B. Pearson College, guardian, researchers and operators to ensure that appropriate behavior of diving and whale watching companies.

Develop protocol with Coast Guard for their continuing operation of the light tower, including helicopter landings, marine access, repairs.

Develop procedures to report violations in order to assist with enforcement.

Consult with representatives from the Beecher Bay and T’souke First Nations to determine their traditional use in the ecological reserve.

Priority Two Actions

Develop a marine management plan to ensure protection of intertidal and rare species and to ensure that elephant seals, harbour seals, California and northern sea lions, and seabirds are not disturbed on their haulout and nesting sites.

In conjunction with DFO, investigate opportunities to expand the boundary from the existing 36.5 m (20 fathom) contour to the 50 m contour.

Investigate opportunities to establish global position system coordinates for identification of the ecological reserve.

In conjunction with the MPA Strategy initiative, pursue the feasibility of establishing Race Rocks as a marine protected area under the Oceans Act.

In conjunction with OSRIS, develop and register a strategy for protection of the ecological reserve in the event of an oil spill.

Develop, in consultation with Lester B. Pearson College and First Nations, educational information on ecosystems, history and culture of Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.

Develop outreach program and stewards program to assist with the management, and develop respect for the ecological reserve and its values.

In consultation with Lester B. Pearson College, develop opportunities for operators, naturalists and others to contribute to the stewardship of the ecological reserve.

Investigate opportunities to undertake a traditional use study.

Appendix 1: Background Document

Introduction

The objective of the ecological reserve program is to preserve representative and special natural ecosystems, plants and animal species, features and phenomena. Ecological reserves contribute to the maintenance of biological diversity and the protection of genetic materials. Scientific and educational activities are the principal reasons for ecological reserves. Most ecological reserves are open to the public for uses that are non-consumptive, educational, low-intensity such as natural appreciation, wildlife viewing, bird watching and photography.

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was created to protect an unique small rocky island system, intertidal and high current subtidal areas in the eastern entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It has ecologically significant and unique assemblages of benthic and pelagic invertebrates. In addition, it is a haul out and feeding areas for seals and sea lions and a nesting and staging area for seabirds.

Ecological Reserve Description

Location and Access

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve is located 17 km south west of Victoria at 123 31.85’W latitude and 48 17.95’N longitude. It is 1.5 km off the extreme southern tip of Vancouver Island at the eastern end of Strait of Juan de Fuca. Given the marine environment, access is limited. A Canadian Coast Guard helicopter pad is located on Great Race Rocks (which is excluded from the ecological reserve). Only seaworthy vessels are able to approach the ecological reserve, given the extreme sea conditions and lack of sheltered moorage.

Size and Boundaries

The ecological reserve is 220 ha to a depth of 20 fathoms (36.6 metres). It is almost entirely subtidal, although nine islets comprise less than 1 ha. The present boundaries were determined by the normal limits of SCUBA diving and the contour lines of nautical charts.

History of Ecological Reserve Establishment

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was first proposed by Lester B. Pearson College in 1979. Concerned about the effect of increasing visitation and harvesting, the marine biology teacher, Garry Fletcher, and his students sought legal protection. Their goal was to ensure the preservation of marine mammals, sea birds and underwater organisms for future generations. They were assisted by Brent Cooke of the Royal British Columbia Museum, Dr. Paul Breen of the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, Dr. Derek Ellis of the University of Victoria and a host of other advisors. Garry and his students undertook 80 dives to collect data. They compiled background information to support ecological reserve designation including: observation records; species checklists; bottom profiles; tidal currents; salinity levels; and temperature variations. They also offered to undertake the responsibility for stewardship of the area as volunteer wardens. Their role would be to provide information to divers and advised them of appropriate behavior. They would also continue to accumulate information and serve as assistants to researchers.

With the data collected by Lester B. Pearson College, the Race Rocks area fit the criteria for ecological reserve designation and was proclaimed under Order In Council no. 692, March 27, 1980.

Natural Features

Physical Features

The ecological reserve is almost entirely subtidal, but includes nine islets, comprising less than 1 ha in total. Intertidal and subtidal zones have substrates primarily of continuous rock and a rugged topography which includes cliffs, chasms, benches and surge channels. The location at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, plus the rugged shallow seabottom, result in strong currents, eddies and turbulence.

Geology

The geology of Race Rocks is volcanic in origin, with the islets being offshore basalts. Granite and quartz intrusive, probably of the undeformed kind, are evident. Sediment basins can be found in subtidal areas.

Oceanography

The important oceanographic features which have a bearing on biodiversity are tides, currents, wave action, water temperature and turbidity.

Tidal currents are a major oceanographic feature of Juan de Fuca Strait. The ebb and flood tides and residual current have a major influence on the water structure. In addition, Race Rocks is a transition zone between the inner waters and the open ocean. For ebb tide that funnels water from the low-salinity, nutrient-rich waters of coastal rivers such as the Fraser and countless tidal marshes along the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound through the narrow part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The flood tides, that bring in water from the nutrient-rich upwellings of the open Pacific Ocean. As tidal flow surges past the rugged topography of Race Rocks results in ‘racing’ current, eddies and turbulence. Currents flow with velocities of two to seven knots and change direction according to tide, wave and wind direction. The wave action is more pronounced at Race Rocks due to the exposure to the outer portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The variability in undersea topography results in waves being reflected, diffracted and refracted in irregular patterns, resulting eddies and complex tides.

The water temperature is generally greater than 7C with no distinct thermocline occurring. Mean surface temperatures are 7C to 8C in January, rising to 10C to 11C in August and September. In summer, the water is slightly cooler during flood than during the ebb tidal phase. Tidal flushing and turbulent currents reduce vertical layering of water masses. Surface salinity values average 31/00 through the years and are characteristic of the waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Water clarity is seasonally dependent, being largely determined by the phytoplankton content of the water. In the winter, low phytoplankton populations result in good underwater visibility (sometimes greater than 15 metres) except after storms. In the summer , underwater visibility lowers with increasing phytoplankton. There is no significant turbidity due to freshwater run off.

Race Rocks is subjected to strong wave action during southeasterly and southwesterly gales which are characteristic of fall and winter. A prolonged westerly storm may produce swells 3 to 4.6 m high with 1 to 3.24 m high wind waves superimposed. Southwesterly gales produce smaller swells (2.5 to 3.7 m high) because of the limited fetch available across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. During calm periods between gales and the summer, a surge is produced by the low westerly swells (1 – 1.2 m) that are present through most of the year.

Climate

Race Rocks is in the rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains and the end of the wind funnel of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Often, the ecological reserve experiences weather patterns quite different than southern Vancouver Island. It has an unusually high amount of sunshine the winter months, very seldom recording freezing temperatures. In summer, there is the occasional blanketing of fog.

The winds in Juan de Fuca Strait blow principally from the southeast and northwest. Outward blowing winds occur 50% of the time during the winter (October through March) while the inward blowing winds predominate during the summer (April through September).

Biotic Features

The rich variety and abundance of seashore life of the Pacific coast is due to the nutrient-rich waters, relatively uniform seasonal range of temperature and freedom from winter icing. Excellent light penetration results in the shallow clear waters teeming with plankton. Combined with the varied topography, the ecological reserve has exceptional variety and productivity of marine life and tremendous ecological diversity. Intertidal, shallow water, deep water and rocky substrate ecosystems support encrusting animals and plants capable of withstanding high velocity currents. In the lee of the island, quiet water flora and fauna are extremely abundant.

The marine communities here are unusually luxuriant and rich. The “coelenterate” fauna is perhaps the richest in the world and benthic fauna is abundant and diverse. Species such as Pink Coral, Gersemia rubiformis, and Basket Seastar, Gorgonocephalus eucnemis, that are usually found at much greater depths are found here at several metres. In addition, there is an unusual abundance of ubiquitous species such as Coralline Algae, Corallina sp., and Brooding Anemone, Epiactis prolifera.

Given the nutrients, some organisms grow to a large size. For example, Giant Barnacle, Balanus nubilus, reaches sizes in excess of four inches and the Thatched Barnacle, Semibalanus cariosus, achieves a prickly texture. The occurrence of disjunct echinoderm species such as the seastar Ceramaster articus, numerous specimens of the Cup Coral, Balanophyllia elegans, the Northern Abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana, and the Butterfly or Umbrella Crab, Cryptolithoides sp., contribute to the unusual character of the subtidal communities.

The ecological reserve contains an abundance of plumose and brooding anemones, Epiactis prolifera, and large numbers of sponges and ascidians. At least 65 species of hydroids, giant barnacles, a variety of colonial tunicates, three species of sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and basket stars adorn the underwater cliffs. Bright pink hydrocoral, soft pink coral, bryozoans and long-lived species of mussels are found here. Other molluscs include chitons, limpets, snails, scallops, and pacific octopus. The rare spiral white snail, Opalia sp., occurs in one limited area. The ecological reserve protects thriving populations of intertidal species that have been severely impacted by sports and commercial harvesting elsewhere. These include three species of sea urchins, goose-neck barnacles and the mussel, Mytilus californianus.

Twenty-two species of algae have been recorded, including extensive stands of Bull Kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana,. In the intertidal zone, over 15 species of red, brown and green algae exhibit striking algal zonation patterns, distinctive to the Pacific coast. Several species of red algae, Halosaccion glandiforme, Endocladia muricata and Porphyra sp., occupy relatively high levels on the intertidal shoreline. Porphyra sp. are particularly abundant in the early spring at higher intertidal levels. Microscopic flagellated euglenoids, Pyramonas, live in the high rock pools, giving them a bright green color. The rock walls of tide pools and the shallow subtidal areas are encrusted with the Encrusting Pink Algae, Lithothamnion sp., and large populations of coralline algae. Dead Man’s Fingers, Codium fragile, rare to this area, is found in two small isolated areas of the intertidal zone on the main island. Over 20 species live subtidally and a dense canopy of bull kelp rings all the islands and extends underwater to 12 metres.

The Surfgrass, Phyllospadix scouleri, is abundant in a narrow band near zero tide level and in the deeper tidepools on the western side of the main island.

Marine Mammals

Over fifteen hundred California Sea Lions, Zalophus californianus, and Steller or Northern Sea Lion, Eumetopias jubatus, haul out on the islets south of Great Race Rocks between months of September and May. In the spring, they tend to move out the area and head north to breed on the Scott and Queen Charlotte Islands. In recent years, 35 to 70 Northern lions and up to 800 California sea lions have used Race Rocks as a winter haul-out.

Several hundred Harbour Seals, Phoca vitulian, inhabit Southwest and North Race Rocks year round, bearing their young in June. Six to eight Northern Elephant Seals, Mirouaga angustirostris, have started to frequent the reserve. Up to 60 transient and resident Killer Whales, Orcinus orca, frequent the waters foraging on the sea lions and seals. A family of River Otters, Lontra canadensis, has also been living in the ecological reserve. Other marine mammals that are occasionally observed in the waters of the ecological reserve are Northern Fur Seal, Callorhinus ursinus, Dall’s Porpoises, Phocoenoides dalli, Gray Whales, Eschrichtius robustus, and False Killer Whales, Pseudorca crassidens.

Sea Birds

Race Rocks serves as a nesting colony and a migration resting area. Glaucous-winged Gulls, Larus glaucescens, and Pelagic Cormorants, Phalacrocorax pelagicus, are the most abundant nesting birds in the summer months. Approximately 235 pairs of cormorants nest on the cliffs of Great Race Rock and on the southern outer island. One hundred and eighty pairs of gulls nest in the high spray zone around the perimeter of the main island and on the small outer islands. Eighty pairs of Pigeon Guillemots, Cepphus columba, nest in rock crevasses on the central island and up to 10 pairs of Black Oyster Catchers, Haemotopus bachmani, nest on the islands. Bald Eagles, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, frequent the area, with groups of 50 birds being sighted on the rocks in winter months. Harlequin Ducks, Histrionicus histrionicus, Surfbird, Aphriza virgata, Rock Sandpipers, Calidris ptilocnemis, and Black Turnstons, Arenaria melanocephala, can be observed occasionally, particularly in the winter. Brandt’s Cormorants, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, and Glaucous-winged Gulls, Larus glaucescens, are the most abundant birds in the fall and winter. Common Murres, Uria aalge, Tufted Puffins, Fratercula cirrhata, Rhinoceros Auklets, Cerochinca monocerata, Ancient Murrelets, Synthliboramphus antiquus, and Marbled Murrelets, Brachyramphus marmoratus,are occasional visitors. Lester B. Pearson College staff reported counting thirteen brown pelicans also on Race Rocks.

The islets of Race Rocks function as suitable alternate habitat for various sea birds that have been forced out of other areas due to environmental disturbances. For example, in the fall of 1974, unusually severe weather conditions off the Queen Charlotte Islands forced the ancient murrelet to frequent Race Rocks.

Fish

Decorated Warbonnets, Chirolophis decoratus, Red Irish Lords, Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus, sculpin, Kelp Greenling, Hexagrammos decagrammus, Ling Cod, Ophiodon elongatus, China Rockfish, Sebastes nebulosus, Tiger or Black Banded Rockfish, Sebastes nigrocinctus, and Copper Rockfish, Sebastes caurinus, swim in ecological reserve waters. Wolf Eels, (Anarhichthyes ocellatus, also inhabit the rock cervices. Salmon species pass through the area including: Pink Salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha; Chum Salmon, O. keta; Sockeye Salmon, O. nerka; Coho Salmon, O. Kisutch; Chinook Salmon, O. tshawytscha.

Historical and Cultural Features

This small group of islets were known to the early sailors as the “dangerous group” . They were subsequently renamed “Race Rocks” by officers of the Hudson’s Bay Company upon the recommendation of Captain Kellet who previously noted the dangers created by the rip tides and current which raced around the islands.

Given that the rocks and reefs of Race Rocks were a danger for converging shipping traffic from Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria, the second oldest lighthouse on the southwest coast lighthouse was built on Great Race Rock. It was constructed of four-foot, cut and fitted granite blocks brought around Cape Horn from England in 1858, build in 1860 and lit on February 7, 1861. It stands 39 metres (105 feet) above the ground. The tower was automated in 1996 and no longer requires light keeper staff.

Despite the Race Rocks lighthouse and another at Fisgard at Esquimalt Harbour, by 1936 at least thirty five vessels had met with disaster in the immediate vicinity of Victoria. The “Nanette” (1860), the “Lookout” (1872), the “Sechelt” (1911), “Rosedale”, “James Griffith”, “Albion Star”, and the “Siberian Prince” are only a few of the ships which were wrecked on or near Race Rocks. Within the ecological reserve lie at least two shipwrecks, the “Nanette” and the “Fanny”, a sailing ship which was built in Quebec.

In 1950, the lighthouse keeper disappeared in Race Passage while trying to row to the mainland for supplies. In 1960, the Department of National Defense installed a bronze plaque on the lighthouse tower to commemorate the centennial of the lighting of this important aid to navigation.

Tenures, Occupancy Rights and Jurisdictions

Water column is in federal jurisdiction and the land, including the sea bottom, is provincial jurisdiction. Great Race Rock is excluded from the ecological reserve and, until recently, was administered by the federal government. With the automation of light houses, most of the island is now being transferred back to the Province. Lester B. Pearson College has a two-year agreement with the Canadian Coast Guard to occupy the site and run a research station from the outbuildings. The College has been successful in generating funding to maintain the buildings and to keep on the lighthouse keeper as a guardian until 1998. The College has applied for a license of occupation with BC Lands to continue their activities there.

The lighthouse has been designated a heritage site under the Heritage Conservation Act. With recent changes to the Heritage Conservation Act, wrecks more than two years old are protected from unauthorized removal of artifacts.

Resource Use Adjacent to Ecological Reserve

Fishing

This part of the coast is one of the most productive recreational salmon sport fishing water in British Columbia and in the past sports fishing has been a popular activity in ecological reserve waters. In 1990, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans closed the waters surrounding the ecological reserve to the commercial harvest of fin and shellfish and to recreational harvest of shellfish, ling cod and rockfish. Recreational fishing of salmon and halibut can still occur. Fishers have reported that the ecological reserve is not a good fishing area for salmon and that the halibut recreation fishery occurs in deeper water beyond the bounds of the ecological reserve.

Military

The Naval Base in Esquimalt use the area for testing of weapons. Underwater explosions may be negatively impacting marine mammals in and around the ecological reserve.

Marine traffic

Oil tankers from Alaska, freighters from Europe and Japan with industrial goods ranging from cars to forest products pass by the ecological reserve. Ships used to come within half a mile of the rocks but since designation of the Traffic Separation Lanes, they pass further away. Smaller vessels come close or pass through Race Passage, mainly tenders and fishing boats from Vancouver and Victoria on their way to or from the salmons and herrings grounds in the Pacific. On weekends, particularly in the summer, the surrounding waters are covered with sports fishers and small boats.

Activities

Research

Much of the research activity in the ecological reserve has been undertaken or assisted by Lester B. College, for two reasons. First, the college is close by, located in nearby Pedder Bay. Secondly, the marine ecology instructor, Garry Fletcher, has used the area for educational purposes with his students undertaking many research projects and has an interest in researching the area. The light station complex on Great Race Rock provides a base and sanctuary for the researchers.

Since the establishment of the ecological reserve, the science students, members of the diving service and faculty of Lester B. Pearson College have continuously monitored underwater and intertidal life. They now monitor tidepools and 13 under water reference stations and have installed intertidal and subtidal reference pegs. Students have done original research on the following topics: distribution of barnacles in the intertidal zones in the different exposures; population density study on sea urchins; intertidal anemone Anthopleura elegantisima; limpets; marine mammals acoustic monitoring; Euglenoid; incidence of Imposex in carnivorous snails such as the spindle whelk (Serlesia dira); internal parasites of the Hairy Shore Crab (Hemigraspus oregonensis) and Purple Shore Crab (H. nudas); colonization in a heavy current channel; marine red algae Halosaccion glandiforme populations; and research on biotic association of Giant Barnacles with hydroid species.

The students of Lester B. Pearson College assisted Dr. Anita Brinkmann-Voss (under the auspices of the Royal Ontaria Museum) to identify 65 species of hydroids. Many of these had never been found in North America and is totally changing the classification of these animals, with a new genus and possibly even a new family. The Royal British Columbia Museum has done research on nesting seabirds. Other researchers have studied transient Orca whales, seals and sea lions. Research on northern abalone (Haliotis kamschatkana) as an indicator species for ‘No Take’ marine protected areas was completed in 1997 by Scott Wallace.

Daily water temperature since 1927 and salinity records since 1936 of the surrounding waters have been taken by the staff of the light station. Water currents were monitored by instruments from the Institute of Ocean Sciences with assistance of Lester B. Pearson College in the early 1980s. The present Race Passage Current tables are a result of that research.

Education

Since the late 1970s, Lester B. Pearson College has been using the ecological reserve as an education facility for courses on biology and environmental systems. In addition, they lead school tours in the spring and fall. Up to 150 grade seven students from local schools either visit Great Race Rock for ecology work in the spring. The objectives of this school program are: to gain a first hand experience on the complex marine systems; to instill a respect for marine life and concern for its conservation; and, to develop an appreciation for ecological reserves. The children often get a tour of the light station, and are introduced to intertidal and subtidal marine life.

Education has been enhanced through live telecasts in the Underwater Safari series, which continue to be broadcast. This experiment in real-time video access for one week in 1992 showed the potential for using technology to provide access electronically to thousands of viewers without impacting the integrity of this sensitive ecosystem. This has raised awareness globally on the “Adopt an Ecosystem” approach.

The Internet is another means of education. In 1995, Lester B. Pearson College established a world wide web page with information on Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and their activities there. This has raised awareness globally.

Other Activities

Generally, there are three categories of visitors to the ecological reserve: 1) boaters who are primarily observing the marine life around the rocks, particularly marine mammals; 2) boaters who come ashore, usually to visit the lighthouse facilities; 3) divers who dive either from shore or from boats. Visitation to the ecological reserve has been increasing, particularly those engaged in whale watching and diving. Concerns are being raised about the affects on visitation on the whales and their foraging activities. Uncontrolled, and unrestrained pursuit of the whales could interfere with behaviors and ability of the whales to feed in this area.

Dive tours are also increasing. Uncontrolled use of the ecological reserve could result in increasing in poaching of sea life, physical injury and mortality from handling and improper dive techniques. These could lead to impacts on the underwater life, for which the ecological reserve is to protect.

Management Considerations

Management of Recreation and Commercial Activities

Activities such as whale watching, commercial diving, boating and nature appreciation occurs in the ecological reserve, both in the water and on land. Activities, their types, and levels of use require management to ensure that values of the ecological reserve are maintained.

Management of Research Activities and Facilities

Race Rocks is well-known and well-used for research purposes, as a result of the efforts of Lester B. Pearson College. The college undertakes and assists with most of the research .

Cooperation with the Federal Government

The ecological reserve legislation pertains only to the foreshore and the land under the water column. The water column, which is an important component of the ecological reserve, actually under Federal jurisdiction.

Cooperation with Lester B. Pearson College

Lester B. Pearson College plays a large role in the management and the research undertaken in the research. Garry Fletcher and his students have been the wardens of the ecological reserve since its creation. They work closely with school groups, naturalist groups, divers and other researchers who visit the ecological reserve, providing information on appropriate conduct and guiding services. With their plans to set up and staff a research centre on Great Race Rock, they could provide an even greater monitoring role.

Ecological Reserve Boundary

The 220 hectares of the ecological reserve include an area of ocean, nine small islands and reefs bounded by the 36.6 metres contour. This boundary is difficult to mark and enforce.

Management of Educational Activities

Lester B. Pearson College uses Race Rocks Ecological Reserve for their marine ecology program involving college, local school students, and naturalists. Tourism operators from Victoria also offer natural history tours of the area.

Management of Ecological Reserve Values

Sewage disposal on Great Race Rocks, fishing in the ecological reserve for salmon and halibut, military testing and the potential for oil spills are issues that exist on this site.

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve-

marine ecology educational resource, remote-control webcams,elephant seal colony,Sea lion haulout,sustainable energy, solar energy

Category Archives: ER Warden Report

Scott Wallace: Research on Abalone in BC Reserves.

Intertidal Invertebrates on the West shore of Great Race Rocks

Harbour Seal Boat Impacts

Tidepool work -Environmental Systems 1999

Higher Level Biology field trip to Race Rocks-April 1999

The Diving Service Schools Project 1999

Color Polymorphism in the Intertidal Snail Littorina sitkana at Race Rocks

ACOUSTICAL BATHYMETRY OF RACE ROCKS

Abalone tagging at Race Rocks with Pearson College Divers

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Draft Management Plan- June 1998