Race Rocks MPA Advisory Board meeting 2

Posted on Wednesday,January 5, 2000 by Garry Fletcher

RACE ROCKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING # 2

DRAFT MINUTES

11h00 – 15h30, JANUARY 5, 2000

LESTER B. PEARSON COLLEGE, VICTORIA

Participants: Howard Breen – Georgia Strait Alliance

Regrets:Doug Biffard – BC Parks

Observers:Sean MacConnachie – Fisheries and Oceans Canada

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INTRODUCTIONS

The meeting began with a roundtable introduction of the participants.

TERMS OF REFERENCE DISCUSSION (TOR)

Marc Pakenham read the draft Terms of Reference and indicated that it is a rough draft and still requires the input from the RRAB and TOR sub-committee. Comments from Jenny Sparkes and Gord Hansen have been received. Jenny Sparkes wasn’t clear what the RRAB outcomes were supposed to be from the TOR and has suggestions for each point.
Angus Matthews suggests that the TOR are quite adequate and don’t need revision. He is keen to move on with rest of process.
Jenny Sparkes indicated that it is important in this process that people are clear of the game rules from the outset.
Howard Breen agreed that the TOR is good and need to move forward with this process.
Roundtable review of the TOR.
Anita Voss inquired if there was a time frame for the goals set out in the TOR. Marc Pakenham replied that the goal was to have the recommendations completed by March 10. Kelly Francis indicated that the future evolution of the RRAB was not entirely clear.
Angus Matthews re-iterated the importance of moving forward with this process. Pearson College is currently funding the caretaker and bearing responsibility for the operating costs at Race Rocks. They are unable to raise further funds until this site is designated. He suggested that governments have to understand that private funds are driving this process.
Howard Breen suggested that in regards to the First Nations paragraph it is important to identify which First Nations are being affected by this process (i.e. T’souke, Esquimalt, Beecher Bay, and Songhees First Nations).
Tom Sampson indicated that it is important to have First Nations mentioned in this process being that it may be a template for future processes. He suggested that First Nations do not need to be identified directly because the First Nations will know which ones are directly involved.
Jim Morris would like to see it spelled out in the TOR that Race Rocks is an Ecological Reserve and that the establishment of a MPA will enhance and/ or preserve the current status.
Angus Matthews believes consensus is where everybody is reasonably content and walks away from the table satisfied. Being that this is a pilot process the consensus “bar” should be set higher than is stated in the draft TOR. Marc Pakenham suggested that recommendations will probably not please everyone 100%, but this process will respect and provide the opportunity to indicate their views.
Howard Breen suggested that if the RRAB could endorse the recommendations 100% they would be accepted much more broadly throughout the community.
Keith Symmington asked to have these comments read into the minutes: “CPAWS supports the establishment of a ‘protocol agreement’ between the Province and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as the recognition of the Constitutional and treaty rights of First Nations and their interest in a cooperative management regime, within the Terms of Reference“.
Marc Pakenham asked the RRAB members to send comments to him by Friday January 7, 2000. He will synthesize the comments and have a conference call on Tuesday Jan 11 with the TOR sub-committee and will have a revision out to RRAB board members by Tuesday afternoon.

ECOSYSTEM OVERVIEW PRESENTATION

Brian Smiley introduced himself and the purpose of the presentation including:
- The background of ecosystem overview;
- the MS Access database created by the College; and
- Cindy Wright’s contract to synthesize the ecosystem overview into a written report format which outlines major gaps in our current knowledge and provides general recommendations on future research. The report does not address socio-economic information, nor does it provide strategies or actions for implementing research recommendations.
Cindy Wright described the report and it was based on a similar report prepared for Sable Gully. It is oriented for aquatic issues.
Outstanding physical features at Race Rocks:
- High velocity currents up to 6 knots. High velocity currents create turbulence which mixes water column, prevents stratification, delivers high nutrients, and high oxygen content to support benthic community;
- High nutrients and rocky substrate attract lots of animals and high larval recruitment;
- Algal biomass: 110ha X 67 metric tonnes/ ha = 7370 metric tonnes of algae/year;
- 130 known species/genera of phytoplankton and 100 zooplankton;
- Over 200 species/genera of invertebrates. High abundance and high diversity including a strong population of threatened abalone;
- Critical habitat for species of rockfish, lingcod, and kelp greenling. Not knowledgeable of fish distribution through lifecycle. About 95 known species of near-shore fish;
- Marine mammals: Haul-out site/ rafting for pinnipeds. Predominantly used by harbour seals for all lifestages. 2^nd largest seal haul-out in Canadian waters of Georgia Basin. At times can represent 20% of seal population in area. Reports of up to 1000 seals reported at Race Rocks. Reported as a high use area for transient Orca;
- Birds: 4-5 species use Race Rocks as a nesting site. 23% of pelagic cormorants in eastern Juan de Fuca are at Race Rocks; and
- Traditional Ecological knowledge. Pearson college working with First Nations and fisherman to acquire knowledge.
Marc Pakenham asked if we could have this presentation to circulate. Brian Smiley indicated that he would make it available, but that it is a high-grade of the draft report. Hopes to keep this document and databases as a living document to be updated in future.
Howard Breen inquired if the Ecosystem Overview supported an extension of the boundaries of the ecological reserve. Brian Smiley suggested that we now have a baseline to go from; therefore depending on which objective is focused upon will determine the requirements of the boundaries (e.g. If the objective is to protect a nesting area, the boundaries are probably sufficient. If the objective is to protect foraging sights the boundaries may be too small).
Garry Fletcher suggested that the existing boundary would work very well if everybody abided by it. He expressed concerns that the annual changes of animal’s behaviour may put them outside the boundaries. He indicated that he would hate at this stage for boundary discussions to prevent decisions being made. He suggested that flexibility needs to be maintained as information is acquired.

LUNCH

BOUNDARY DISCUSSION

Marc Pakenham reviewed the boundary options that have been presented to stakeholders. He described enforcement problems with existing boundaries in regards to depth in meters. Feedback to date supports mostly option 2, the angularized boundaries of the ER. This option does not reduce the size of the ecological reserve, but does make it easier to describe by legal terms and is easier for mariners. The boundaries could possibly use buoys or sight markers. Option 2 is approximately 10% larger than existing ER boundaries. Option three has a 100 metre buffer zone around angularized option 2.
Howard Breen suggested that the Georgia Strait Alliance generally support the concept of buffer zones. With this particular case it may be feasible to increase seabed protection, but not reduce pelagic fishing opportunities outside existing boundaries.
Brian Smiley inquired if it was possible to extend the boundary along the bottom to protect the important habitat that some threatened species use during part of the year.
Sean Moore indicated that the SFAB fully endorses the protection of rockfish within the existing area, but is looking for the continuation of fishing opportunities for transient species (e.g. halibut and salmon) within the existing reserve.
Angus Matthews reminded the group that the objective for a MPA in general is not only to protect species and habitat but to increase research and public education. Overlaying existing boundaries of MPA with ER would be easier politically. Problems with the option 2 lie on south west corner of ecological reserve where there are two halibut fishing spots. Angus Matthews suggested that the SFAB might agree to a no-take in the existing area if the boundaries did not increase. Other issues to take into consideration include flying tourism. He suggests that a small footprint would be a more effective to designate and further rockfish closures are a separate fisheries issues.
Jim Morris indicated that this MPA cannot solve all problems today. The management plan could make a recommendation for a future increase in the size of the MPA or possibly a creation of another ER or increase in the size of the ER.
Tom Sampson indicated that we should be aware that there are existing Supreme Court decisions that grant First Nations absolute rights to the fishery resources as well as treaty rights that supersede any new rules. It is important to recognize that if you only protect / manage the shoreline you’re ignoring the natural spawning process and interaction between the shallow and deepwater. Nature has provided existing patterns that we are ignoring, the pattern or options that we are promoting do not comply to these existing patterns.
Anton Roberts inquired if this area is going to be an absolute “no-go zone”. Kelly Francis described minimum levels of protection under Pacific MPA strategy and that this process will define the levels of protection for Race Rocks. It is anticipated that Race Rocks MPA marine components will continue to offer public access under some guidelines or regulatory authority.
Howard Breen indicated that although the Georgia Strait Alliance supports a larger area, they would not block consensus if the RRAB recommends maintaining the existing boundaries with an angularized version. Their larger concern is that the energy and resources that have gone into the pilots will not be carried on to future candidates.
Marc Pakenham indicated that enforcement is a major issue. He felt that stakeholders would support a relatively small MPAs if they were properly enforced.
Cindy Wright asked what level of protection the buffer zone would offer. Marc Pakenham responded that the buffer zone would offer a different level of protection.
Rupert Gale suggested that the angularized areas of option 2 could be the buffer zone.
Angus Matthews suggested that angularized version isn’t critical for habitat. For managing the area radar would be effective in managing boaters that enter into the area.
Anita Voss suggested that invertebrates contribute significant amounts of biomass via their larvae into the environment.
Jim Morris suggested that the important part of this process is to inform the people of what they can and cannot do in the area. Suggests that during the ER consultation consensus was essentially reached, and changes in the area would not be effective.
Garry Fletcher felt that there were large safety concerns with using anchors and buoys in the area.
Brian Smiley indicated that any MPA will have to be Gazetted and described legally. Therefore a bathymetric definition of the area would not be an effective method to enforce. He suggests that using a GPS enforceable definition would be a lot more effective in monitoring and compliance.
Howard Breen suggested that the bathymetry for this area may be the best defined for the whole coast, but as a precedent, it is not an effective system because future MPAs will not be have this level of bathymetric observation.
Tom Sampson suggests that the MPA could be in place for a certain amount of time and then re-evaluated. He described the process of restoration of Goldstream river and the resolution of the fisheries conflict between First Nations and the commercial fishery. By having everyone agree to stop fishing over four years (one life cycle) 60, 000 salmon returned, up from 4,000. After 8 years (2 cycles) there were over 100, 000 fish returning to spawn. Today a sustainable harvest of 60, 000 Chum adults are taken annually.
Angus Matthews suggests that the boundaries need to be better defined.
Jenny Sparkes suggested that these MPAs will not manage the resource but peoples’ activities. In other parts of the world straight lines have been shown to be more effective and easier to understand.
Sean Moore requires a better-defined map with bathymetric lines and boundaries by Jan 20, 2000 for his presentation to the SFAB.

ACTION ITEM

Marc Pakenham to provide an image of Race Rocks with existing ecological boundaries in relation to navigational bathymetric contour lines.

Keith Symmington asked to have these comments read into the minutes: “CPAWS believes that a “angularized” or even “rectangular” scenario would be the most logical boundary, for practicality reasons previously discussed at the inaugural meeting.“

MPA / ER MANAGEMENT PLAN DISCUSSION

Marc Pakenham described the evolution of current Race Rocks ER/MPA management plan draft.
Marc Pakenham asked the group to review the draft management plan and comment within the next two weeks.
Cheryl Borris inquired who had prepared this plan. Marc Pakenham responded that he had taken former drafts and modified them to be in line with the format of the Pacific MPA Strategy Discussion Paper.
Angus Matthews indicated that he has been urging Marc Pakenham and Kelly Francis to get this document out for discussion and review. He indicated that it is not a pre-defined, pre-determined idea from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The College originally wrote this document for the ecological reserve. He hopes that it ends up as a document that government can use.
Kelly Francis re-iterated the importance to have input from the RRAB to determine what is missing and to contribute to the management plan.

Marc Pakenham suggested a number of key issues that were missing include: 1) governance—who will manage the ER/MPA. 2) Finances –how do we pay for this? 3) Developing a list of priority issues and strategies.

ACTION ITEM

Marc Pakenham to send this draft electronically to the RRAB members.

Jim Morris suggested that previous consultation indicated that the water column and management of the fisheries are probably the utmost concern.
Jenny Sparkes suggests posting the socio-economic and scientific reports on the Internet so that people can access them when they review the management plan.

ACTION ITEM

Garry Fletcher to post reports on the Race Rocks Internet site and distribute address.

After briefly reviewing the draft ER/MPA Draft Management plan Bill Laing indicated that DND does not have a weapons test site. They have two explosive disposal sites and one training site.
Angus Matthews indicated that the information regarding First Nations is outdated and needs to be changed.
Jenny Sparkes suggested changing the name to Interim Management Recommendations from draft management plan. Fisheries and Oceans Canada/BC Parks will be responsible for final management plan.
Keith Symmington asked to have these comments read into the minutes: “CPAWS believes that the new round of MPA consultations should be with a view to advance the designation of a full no-take MPA at Race Rocks (without prejudice to Constitutional and treaty rights of First Nations). We believe that the closures on groundfish and shellfish in the existing ER are not insufficient in realizing one of the main conservation objectives for the site, namely the restoration of commercial groundfish species, particularly rockfish and lingcod. By allowing salmon and halibut sportfishing to continue (given the documented bycatch of these species in non-targeted scenarios, and the low expectation for survival once caught), this particular (and essential) MPA management goal will not be realized. Judging from consultations initiated to date, and direct feedback from stakeholders, there is considerable support for such a designation.

CONSULTATIONS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS

Marc Pakenham has given presentations to the following groups:
- December 61999 with Sea to Sea Blue/Green Belt Conservancy, Rural East Sooke Assoc., Society for the Protection of Ayum Creek, Saanich Inlet Protection Society and Land Conservancy Trust
- December 9, 1999 Department of National Defence
- December 13 presentation to the CRD Roundtable on the Environment..
- December 14, 1999 BC Parks, LUCO and Ministry of Fisheries
- December 14, 1999 Sports Fishery Advisory Board ,another to follow soon.
December 22, 13 moons First Nations’ presentation to the RRAB.
Marc Pakenham is scheduling presentations with Tourism Victoria, Royal Roads University, University of Victoria, Royal BC Museum, Rotary Club Victoria and District of Metchosin in the next few weeks.
If RRAB members’ constituents are interested in a presentation please inform Marc Pakenham.
Kelly Francis hoping to schedule two large public meetings/consultations near the end of January.
Tom Sampson indicated that he has been talking with local tribes and suggests that they all are interested in the process but don’t want to be involved in if it interferes with Treaty process. They would like to meet separately.

ACTION ITEM

Marc Pakenham to send information package to Tom Sampson for local area First Nations.

OTHER BUSINESS

Bill Laing discussed the idea of a tour at DND facilities and will pass out information to Marc Pakenham when he has a determined time.
Angus Matthews talked about the “racerocks.com” project information session at Telus tomorrow and invited those in attendance if they wished to come.

Next proposed meeting date:

26 January, 2000 – 12h00 to 16h00

at Pearson College (lunch will be provided @ 12h00)

STAKEHOLDER GROUPS to be consulted Fos MPA Advisory Board

Posted on Thursday,December 16, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

WHO WILL BE CONSULTED??

The following list is subject to revision but identifies most stakeholder groups at this time (06.12.99).

Amalgamated Conservation Society

Aquarius Dive Club — DND

BC Shorekeepers/Reefkeepers Assoc.

BC MELP

BC MOF

Canadian Coast Guard – DFO

Canadian Wildlife Service

Capital Regional District – Roundtable on the Environment,- Environment Committee

Department of National Defence – CFB Esquimalt

District of Metchosin

Environmental Risk Management – CFB Esquimalt

Environmental Youth Alliance

First Nations – Beecher Bay, Esquimalt, Songhees, T’sartlip, T’souke

Frank White’s Scuba Shop

Friends of Ecological Reserves

Georgia Strait Alliance

Greater Victoria Natural History Society

Green/Blue Belt Conservancy Society

Habitat Acquisition Trust

Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission

Lester B. Pearson College

Local marinas

Ogden Point Dive Centre

Ocean Centre

Parks Canada PMHL

Pedder Bay Marina

Royal BC Museum

Saanich Inlet Protection Committee

Sierra Club of British Columbia

Society for the Protection of Ayum Creek

South Island Aquatic Stewardship Society

Sports Fish Advisory Board – Race Rocks Sub-Committee

Tourism Victoria – Environment Committee

University of Victoria

Veins of Life Watershed Society

Victoria Golden Rods and Reels

Victoria Natural History Society

Victoria Marine Adventure Centre

Victoria Marine Advisory Council

Whale Watch Operators Association NW?

World Fisheries Trust

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Copyright

Community Involvement in Marine Protected Areas- Pearson College Communications with Federal Government Levels 1994-1999

Posted on Thursday,November 25, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

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Matthews-Angus 1999 Community Involvement in Marine Protected Areas- Pearson College Communications with Federal Government Levels 1994-1999 . . . . ————- . 577.7 Com I
This series of documents presents the efforts of Angus Matthews, administrator of Lester B. Pearson College, to offer to the federal government a model of Community participation in creating a marine education center at Race Rocks. It begins with initiation of the proposal in order to provide for a continued presence of personnel at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, when the destaffing of the light station is looming on the horizon. The communications between Mr. Matthews and officials of the Canadian Coast Guard, and with the office of the Minister of Fisheries are represented in chronological order. This is the second of two records of communications, document #26 representing the Communications at the Provincial Parks Level. that were going on simultaneously. This series of documents presents an excellent chronological account of the frustrated efforts of an organization in the community to facilitate a constructive solution to the destaffing of light stations and the simultaneous provision of on sight protection for a sensitive ecological area.
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Matthews-Angus 1999 Community Involvement in Marine Protected Areas- Pearson College Communications with Provincial Government 1994-1999 with Provincial Levels of government . .. … . ————— . 577.7.Com This series of documents presents the efforts of Angus Matthews, administrator of Lester B. Pearson College, to offer to the federal government a model of Community participation in creating a marine education center at Race Rocks. It begins with initiation of the proposal in order to provide for a continued presence of personnel at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, when the destaffing of the light station is looming on the horizon. The communications between Mr. Matthews and officials of the Provincial Parks Department are represented in chronological order. This is the second of two records of communications, (document #25 representing the Communications at the Federal Fisheries and Oceans Department,) that were going on simultaneously during a 5 year period. 1994-1999. Government of British Columbia This series of documents presents an excellent chronological account of the often frustrating efforts of an organization in the community to facilitate a constructive solution to the destaffing of light stations and the simultaneous provision of on-site protection for a sensitive ecological area. .
June 20, 1994 Pearson College writes to The Hon. Moe Sihota, Minister of the Environment and Esquimalt – Metchosin MLA to request support for BC Parks involvement in an initiative to operate surplus facilities at Race Rocks as a marine education Centre.
June 29, 1994 Minister Sihota writes and expresses interest in the project.
Dec. 21, 1995 The Hon. Glen Clark, Minister of Employment and Investment writes to Federal Fisheries Minister Brian Tobin and request a delay in de-staffing light stations.
July 8, 1996 Newly appointed Environment Minister The Hon. Paul Ramsey writes to express interest in the plans for Race Rocks and to advise that a management plan is required before his Ministry can proceed. He expects the plan to take one year to be written.
July 25, 1996 Pearson College proposes fast tracking the management plan.
Sept. 20, 1996 The Ministry of Employment and Investment commissions a report to look into the potential of commercial uses for Race Rocks.
Oct. 11, 1996 Minister Ramsey writes to advise that the Province is considering a coast wide plan to operate light stations. Any decision on Race Rocks would wait for this review.
Oct. 29, 1996 Pearson College writes to BC Parks, District Manager, Mr. Dave Chater regarding the imminent closure of Race Rocks station, the need for rapid progress on the management plan and advises that the College will pursue Federal Marine Protected Area status for the Reserve.
Oct. 31, 1996 Mr. Denis O’Gorman, Assistant Deputy Minister of Parks writes to Mr. Rick Bryant, at Coast Guard, to advise that BC Parks did not have a use for surplus buildings at Race Rocks under the current management plan. A new plan would review this and it would be finished in early 1977.
Jan. 30, 1997 Newly appointed Minister of the Environment The Hon. Cathy McGregor writes to confirm the target date for completion of the management plan as early 1997.
Feb. 12, 1997 Assistant Deputy Minister O’Gorman writes to advise that BC Parks would support Pearson College’s application for a Crown lease on Race Rocks.
Mar. 1, 1997Pearson College takes over staffing Race Rocks under a temporary two year agreement with the Coast Guard.
April 11, 1997 Pearson College applies to BC Lands for a 30 year Crown lease for Race Rocks.
Dec. 19, 1997 Mr. Dave Chater writes that BC Parks is prepared to enter into an agreement in principle with Coast Guard. The draft management plan, which is still incomplete, is being amended.
April 14, 1998 Mr. Chris Kissinger, Resource Officer at BC Parks writes to Mr. Fred Stepchuk, Superintendent of Facilities, Coast Guard, to summarize repairs required to surplus facilities at Race Rocks prior to transfer to BC Parks.
Sept. 1, 1998 Minister Anderson announces Race Rocks will be a pilot Marine Protected Area.
Dec. 15, 1998 Mr. Dave Chater writes to Mr. Fred Stepchuk at Coast Guard regarding transfer of the surplus facilities.
Mar. 1, 1999 Pearson College staff remain at Race Rocks although BC Parks has not reached an agreement with Coast Guard regarding the transfer of facilities. The management plan is still not finished.

Demolition at Race Rocks

Posted on Saturday,August 28, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

In 1971 The former lightkeeper, Trevor Anderson documented on 8mm film, the demolition of several of the old historic features of the Race Rocks light station. The Canadian Coast guard decided that demolition was necessary for purposes of “modernization”. In this file we have converted those 8mm films to Quicktime video and now to .mp4 to show these structures and their demise.

In the picture gallery below, are stills taken from the video. Click on them for larger images.The stone house connected to the base of the tower as it was in 1967. This was taken before 1975 a view from the South side of the islands. The slate roof had been removed before demolition. A Caterpillar tractor pushes over the last of the walls. The fog tower, made of wood was demolished later, n 1977? The tower crashes to the ground. Flo Anderson and her grandson Jason are in the foreground.

: The stone house connected to the base of the tower as it was in 1967

: Demolition at Race Rocks: A film by Trev Anderson converted to digital video, showing the stone house originally built at the base of the tower and the wooden foghorn tower. Both were removed in the1960’s and 1970’s. This was taken before 1975 a view from the South side of the islands

: A Caterpillar tractor pushes over the last of the walls

: The fog tower, made of wood was demolished in 1977?

: The tower crashes to the ground. Flo Anderson and her grandson Jason are in the foreground.

Part 7: Ecological Integrity for Race Rocks: the Problem With Destaffing.

Posted on Wednesday,April 7, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

Carol and Mike Slater, formerly the light keepers and then employees of Pearson College as Ecoguardians at Race Rocks attended the meeting. They will continue to live at Race Rocks until the end of June at which time there is no further funding available from Lester Pearson College. (Funding was provided and they stayed on until retirement in 2008). They were able to add their concerns to the possible problems that will come when surveillance of the island is not being done.

The Race Rocks ecosystem was given token protection in 1980 with the creation of an ecological reserve, and that protection strengthened in 1990 with a total closure on commercial fisheries and a partial closure on recreational fisheries. However, the ecological integrity that the place retains today would not be possible without the watchful eyes of the past light keepers and assistant keepers. We first met Trev and Flo Anderson in the late 70’s and started to work in this area as an outdoor laboratory. These individuals who were on location because of a job with the Coastguard became the eyes and ears in the area, looking after the ecosystem at Race Rocks. The following lightkeepers in the ensuing years have all welcomed us warmly, assisting with our educational programs and helping to facilitate outside researchers on the islands. In addition they have performed a valuable role for the ecology of the area. They regularly stop poachers and commercial harvesters and advise boaters not to anchor in the reserve. They have even been known to hand out information pamphlets, help in the arrest of fishermen who were shooting at sea lions and rescue our own students as well as countless others in the past twenty years. They have also contributed to the daily weather records and reports and daily seawater data recording. Carol Slater’s daily logbooks over the past two years are valued records of the daily changes in the birds and mammals as well as the increase in human impact on the reserve. They are included in the database as the best record of what has been happening in terms of reserve management over the past two years. To think of Race Rocks without these guardians in place is to accept that there will be a considerable human impact on this unique resource.

Garry Fletcher, April, 1999

Part 8: The First Nations People and Race Rocks

Posted on Wednesday,April 7, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

This document formed part of the background handout materials for the Race Rocks Ecological Overview at Lester Pearson College in April 1999.
Angus Matthews and myself have met on three occasions with Tom Sampson, elder of the Brentwood First Nations. He and Andy Thomas chief of the Esquimalt Nation have helped us to understand the importance of the coastal areas to their people and their culture. We have, I believe started on a fruitful path in involving local First Nations people in our educational program in the reserve. Acting on Tom’s direction we read the Bamberton report which already lays out in some detail the cultural dependence that first nations people had on the land and the coastal areas of the Salish Sea. He sees that as a valuable model for the way we have to think about the role of First Nations people when we lay out plans for managing protected areas. We have also been in contact with Burt Charles, Chief of Beecher Bay, and his wife Lee who is involved in the school program with the children on the reserve.

For more than just the most recent millennium, people lived and worked as an integral part of the coastal ecosystems of Southern Vancouver Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. They managed the resources for their own survival. They valued the land and the water ecosystems because they did not see themselves as separate from those systems. Place names were important since only through the language can one understand the importance of natural areas to the first nations people.

On a visit to Race Rocks with Tom and Andy and two other elders from North Saanich, Tom told us of the way that his people would use the gull eggs in a sustainable way so that they would always have some for later. Tom said that he will have to get Madeleine Thomas and May Sam to show us how to prepare the gull eggs when they are in season. The sea urchins were also a special food. Their power was such that only those of a certain age could eat them, as the eggs were too strong for the younger people. Sea cucumbers had their top end cut off, were cleaned out and then stuffed with other kinds of food. Mussels and barnacles as well as the myriad of snails, whelks, chitons and other intertidal invertebrates were standard fare for the people. The area also provided a wealth of the standard fish resources. Often seafood that was collected was traded with the interior people from Washington, as far as the South end of Puget Sound.

Tom talked with Thomas Charles*, and his wife, a couple in their eighties who are residents of the Beecher Bay reserve. He wanted to record some of the place names of this corner of Vancouver Island and to get an idea of how their ancestors were part of the ecosystem. Location and language is so important to them when talking about culture. The area from Pedder Bay to Beecher Bay was a community that was totally dependent on the coastal resources well into the twentieth century. Race Rocks “xwayen”was known as the area in which one could get any kind of food they needed. Thomas Charles remembers his parents going to sell ling cod from Race Rocks the area of “ xwayen” (the fast flowing water) to the buyer in Pedder Bay “Whoayinch” in the 1920’s. Church Island, visible from Race Rocks out in front of Beecher Bay was ” Kquitong”, the Raven’s hang out.
Link to this site for the Klallum language, and a story by Thomas Charles .

Thomas Charles speaks “Klallum” and his wife writes in the language. She wrote the names in their script as he went over a map of the lower part of Vancouver Island. Tom has provided our library with a tape of this conversation and the correct pronunciation of the place names. I have attempted to write a phonetic version of the names here, so further investigation will have to be pursued to ensure their accuracy. (Ed note: the site above has an update on the correct spellings on some of these names. )

Tom says there are only about three of the old people left in this whole region of South Vancouver Island who have recollections of the old ways.

In a few weeks when we can be assured of better weather, Tom is arranging for a group of first nations people to go to visit Race Rocks for a few days so that they may be able to share with us the traditional uses their ancestors made of this area.
** It is with regret that we have received the news in December of 1999, that Thomas Charles has recently passed away.

In our Schools program we take grade seven students from local schools out to Race Rocks from late February to the end of April each year. We are starting to include these stories of First Nations traditional use of the resources. Tom is also interested in having some of the children from the first nations school come with some elders and share the ideas of how this place would have been used by their ancestors to provide all their food needs. In Appendix 3 of this report is a copy of the section from the Bombarding Report on the Marine Resources used by First Nations. We intend to produce with the help of local first nations people, a similar reference, specific to the resources of the Juan de Fuca area..

This paper was written for the Race Rocks Ecological Overview workshop Garry Fletcher, April 1999

Part 6 Future database linkages

Posted on Wednesday,April 7, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

Part 6: FUTURE DATABASE LINKAGES

Some other databases have yet to be linked in to the database.

Rhonda Millikin and Mike Sheppard have a large database of radar records of migratory bird patterns over the South end of Vancouver Island, and results from banding studies on Rocky Point.

Phil Lambert of the Royal B.C. Museum indicated that we could add in the specimen database of Race Rocks specimens catalogued at the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria. Funds will first have to be made available to get this data entered into an electronic database.
Garry Fletcher of Pearson College will be continuing to link in other pieces of raw data and analyzed data as work proceeds on it. Through class work, we have amassed a considerable amount of data on intertidal transects done at 5 different locations around Great Race Rocks, some of this material is available now from the web site, and four photo-transect strips are available.
A database is being constructed for our work on the tidepools of Race Rocks. Each year we have been adding more information to the web site on these pools.
The students in the diving service have also been keeping records on an Abalone tagging project. The database of that will be added shortly.
Divers have at various times over the past twenty years produced some underwater transect records. Although these records are intermittent, some of them provide useful baseline information. Recording this information on the North side of Race Rocks is possible only in the late winter months before kelp growth covers the area. The raw data is now stored in the Race Rocks collection in the library.
For over a year now, at the suggestion of Mike Sheppard of the Victoria Natural History Society, Garry Fletcher has started to record seabird transect information regularly on trips from Pedder Bay to Race Rocks. This database will be linked shortly as well.

Gaps in Research for the Race Rocks Pilot Marine Protected Area.

Posted on Wednesday,April 7, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

The workshop addressed the issue of gaps in research in the afternoon session. The following discussion summarizes points raised in that session and suggests some further actions to be taken. This list is by no means definitive, but it attempts to emphasize the many facets of the ecosystem that is present. Certainly it is not hard to find areas within the reserve that could bear further study since so little has actually been published on the area.
1. Minimal Impact Research: From the survey of literature required for this project and from my experience over the past several years, the most apparent need in the Race Rocks area is for activities that can be carried out with very minimal impact. The total area of the present reserve is rather limited leading to a restriction of the area to non-consumptive research. We have worked since 1986 with Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss under permit, on the ecology and taxonomy of the hydroids in the reserve. Her sampling has been very restricted to small sized samples. Low impact, non-consumptive research like this should be encouraged. Robin Baird has also been responsible over the past few years for doing extensive marine mammal research in the area. Many of his papers are referred to in the database.

2. Military Blasting: The effects of military blasting on the seabirds and mammal population as well as on the subsurface community should be investigated further. Part of such a study was contracted by the military last year, but no results have been received to date. In addition, feedback from one participant after the workshop indicated that there is a need for research on the receiving ecosystem of all the compounds and breakdown products from blasting and demolition in the rocky point area.
3. Bioassays for pollution: Communication with Norm Healey after the workshop brought forward the idea of doing tissue sampling of invertebrates in the reserve. The large population of californianus mussels could provide samples for the testing of the presence of a wide range of human-generated chemicals.

4. Ecological baseline Studies: Pearson College science classes have been able to do some preliminary studies, and have many records in raw data form from baseline transect work done intertidally and subtidally. More extensive work with outside expertise on a long-term basis should be planned.

5. Taxonomic studies of many invertebrate groups such as colonial ascdians should be promoted. There are still extensive areas that could be sampled for Bryozoan and Hydrozoan forms. Research by Dr. Anita Brinckmann Voss that turned up new species and new records for North America would tend to indicate that there may be new occurances of other invertebrate or even vertebrate groups .

7. Plankton studies, especially with underwater monitoring of daily fluctuations and primary productivity investigations could be done at Race Rocks. Since we operate a saltwater pump, for part of the year, an instrument that monitors daily chlorophyll changes could be installed. This could be useful in conjunction with ground-truthing for satellite productivity studies in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The upper tidepools have always been excellent sources of Pyramimonas sp flagellates. The distribution of this species is probably rather restricted along the coast of British Columbia. In this location, the organisms are available in the guano-nourished upper tidepools for much of the year.
8. Macroalgae: A wide range of macroalgae is abundant in the intertidal areas of Race Rocks. Also, they are easily accessible for research. A small herbarium has been established with samples from Race Rocks over the past years. A more concentrated effort to complete the collection with adequate representation from all species could be possible.
9. Climatalogical studies: The location and relative security of the light station could lead too more detailed data being gathered using underwater arrays for sensors.

10. Alternative Energy: This has a practical aspect as well, since the sustainability of the reserve depends on a source of an inexpensive and renewable source of energy. Research into the effectiveness of different prototypes would be an appropriate avenue to pursue.

11. Ecotourism Impact : There is an obvious need for this due to the ever-increasing use of the area as “Plan B” on the whale- watching itinerary. Furthermore, those benefiting from this activity should be contributing to research to determine the appropriate levels for sustainability for this industry.

12. Hydrography and Geology. Over the past month we have certainly seen an extraordinary amount of activity in this area. This could stimulate the interest in more research in the waters of greater depth surrounding the main islands. Missing from the research done in the spring of 1999 was a thorough biological survey of the areas in water over 20 meters in depth at Race Rocks. It would not be inappropriate to seek to have some filming done in areas over 20 meters in depth. This is important since we should be aware of the type of life distributed there if boaters and fishermen are going to be allowed to anchor in the deeper waters. This concern is real since there is an increasing concentration of halibut fishers in the area working the 30 to 100 meter depth.

13. Marine Mammal Research. Chris Malcolm and others from the Whale Research Lab indicated an interest in making contact with Pearson College in the fall term to help out with the fall university field trip.

Projects for the Islands

Ecological restoration: Last fall (1998) we were able to take Cornelia Oberlander, a prominent landscape architect from Vancouver, to Race Rocks to help us envision what would be the best way to manage the landscape. She has designed the grounds for the Museum of Man in Ottawa and other major projects where she specializes in blending human structures into the natural landscape. Reduction of some invasive species and replanting of some of the native fescue grasses that have been eliminated by mowing and introduced grasses was certainly a priority. This would be a good opportunity for a project for students in environmental design. The area of the diesel tank storage, which is to be removed by Coastguard, was a prime area mentioned for restoration to a rocky outcrop ecosystem. When Pearson College became involved in managing the island in 1996, a decision was made to stop the grass cutting, which previously had been the policy of the coastguard. With the cessation of using the grass whips around the rocky outcroppings on the island, there is gradually starting to be a return to some of the species that are only seen on a limited basis on the south coast of Vancouver Island. In April of 1999 for instance, a new clump of Romanzoffia, a blue- listed species has been noted South of the guest residence. Armeria sp. (thrift) has also increased in number on the rock outcrops since the cessation of the grass cutting.

Marine history: Several projects initiated in the past two years by Pearson College students and Faculty have been directed at preserving some of the unique marine heritage of the islands. The weather station room has been converted into a museum where historic photos of the island are on display and two areas outside have had improvements done to preserve past artifacts. Bricks from the original engine room now form a patio around the old flywheel, and a small alcove near the foghorn is the repository for various scattered pieces of equipment form the engine room that were scattered about the island. With some research, a request could be made to the Coast Guard and the Maritime Museum to return some artifacts to the station museum .

Technology for Low Impact : For the discussion on potential areas for research, see the paper in the database and the appendix of this report entitled : Technology for Sustainability. It emphasizes the need for technology to be used to reduce the impact of people in the reserve. It outlines ideas about developing a virtual research site at Race Rocks.

First Nations resources and education. With the appropriate use of technology , the reserve could become an important focus for the traditions of first nations people.Some Actions that need to be taken:

The permit system through ecological reserves has existed and has often worked well over the past years. A copy of the permit is available on the Race Rocks website and is included in the appendix. Unfortunately some still ignore applying for permits for filming or other commercial uses. The design of the permit does not need to be excessively overburdened with bureaucracy, but it should be consistently applied. There needs to be a clear way for a responsible person who has a broad overview of all aspects of the reserve to sort out legitimate permit requests, and the process needs to be obvious to all, especially in the scientific community. I wish to caution against the need of a large committee to sort out requests as this could unduly impede the progress benefits to the reserve.

It was emphasized that it is the responsibility of Fisheries to implement a way to have commercial users of the reserve contribute to it’s upkeep. In particular, an immediate plan to implement a nominal user fee for commercial operations involving marine mammal watching. The funds from this revenue could help to offset the cost of keeping people employed to be manager-guardians of the island. The example of the one dollar per seat charge at Tofino was given. Money collected by the charter boats helps in the ongoing research in the area.

The ecosystem is resilient for certain activities at various times of the year, but seasonality of events especially as they pertain to Great Race Rocks has to take top priority in determining human entry to the island and use of it’s facilities. Seabird nesting in the summer, concentrated Sea lion haulout in the fall, harbour seal birthing in the late spring limit the level of human entry to the main island. It should also become immediate policy that access to the outlying islands should be exclusively by permit.

The continued presence of guardian managers on the island is valued highly. Several participants were concerned that the reserve’s unique biological diversity could be preserved by an MPA but only if there were immediate plans forthcoming to provide for a continued presence of guardians on the island.

The establishment of a buffer zone around the area has to be carefully considered. The visuals presented by Jim Galloway, and the other members of the hydrography team, suggested to many that a logical boundary for the reserve exists at the limit of the rock margin of the island. This would represent a significant increase in size, but could be limited in the kinds of activity, anchoring, fishing or shellfish harvesting.

The Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Management Plan prepared in 1998 was included in the materials handed out at the workshop. This plan is also included in the electronic database, and is attached as an appendix in this report. There wasn’t sufficient time in the workshop to review the Management Plan, but it is to be hoped that wider distribution of the draft copy will encourage a re-working of the document to be done very soon. Participants were urged to use that plan as a basis for developing a new MPA Management Plan.

Garry Fletcher, April, 1999

Summary Report on the April 7, 1999, RACE ROCKS PILOT MPA ECOSYSTEM OVERVIEW WORKSHOP – Held at Lester B. Pearson College

Posted on Wednesday,April 7, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

Three boatloads of Guests departed the Pearson College docks for Race Rocks Ecological Reserve at 8:30 on the morning of April 7, 1999. For many of the workshop visitors, this was their first visit to Race Rocks, and the weather cooperated. On their return, they toured the Race Rocks reference Collection recently set up in the library of Lester Pearson College.The sign for the collection represents the name given to the area by the people who speak the Clalum language. It was pointed out as : Race Rocks “Qhuwyingh” Pilot Marine Protected Area. This name in Clalum means the area of swift waters. After coffee break in the faculty lounge, the first session was held in Max Bell Hall on the campus.

In opening the session in Max Bell Hall, special recognition was given to Dr. Bristol Foster who was in attendance. It was noted that he was “The Grandfather “of the ecological reserve at Race Rocks as he had been so helpful when he served as the Director of Ecological Reserves in the BC Parks Department in 1979-80. Pearson College students worked with his office to expedite the creation of the reserve.

In this view, the black area is either where land is located, or it represents the margins of the survey . 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.

In this view, the black area is either where land is located, or it represents the margins of the survey. Bentinck Island appears at the top of the picture. Great Race Rocks, where the light station is located is the large island in the center of the picture. Shoreline margins are not yet accurate. The present boundaries of the Ecological reserve are more or less the outer limits of the red area at 36 meters.

Jim Galloway of the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, B.C. gave a presentation on “Managed Surveys” done recently at Race Rocks. The images from the multibeam sonar have provided a unique look at the hydrography down to 100 meters. The outline of his presentation is in the database.

John Harper of Coastal and Ocean Resources, Inc. gave his presentation on the Seabed Imaging and Mapping System – Seabed Classification of Substrate, Epifauna and Epiflora. This system uses a towed video camera to acquire seabed imagery that is geo-referenced.

Jon Preston of Quester Tangent Corp. gave a presentation on the recently completed computer generated imagery from the Race Rocks sonar data.

In the last session of the morning, Scott Wallace, who has been studying MPA’s in his Doctorate program at UBC’s program of Management and Conservation, gave a slide show on his work with abalone in research done two years ago at Race Rocks. He noted that the population age class distribution as determined by measurement of size at Race Rocks indicated a good level of recruitment.

The importance of marine refugia and no-take zones for recovery of stocks was emphasized. Scott pointed out that there are no old-growth areas left in the ocean. Whatever our efforts, they are really for restoration. His slide of the Ling Cod taken in an artificial reef community devoid of a complex community of organisms contrasted with the one taken at Race Rocks, surrounded by a luxurious community

In the afternoon Garry Fletcher presented the Race Rocks Ecological Overview Database. Recognition was given to Norm Healey who assisted in the programming of certain aspects of the database. The database consists of over 260 records of ecologically related information on the Race Rocks Area. In addition five other databases are linked.

The Conservation Data Centre Southern Vancouver Island records.
The Metchosin Environmental Inventory
The Race Rocks herbarium
The Photo/slide Database
The Race Rocks Temperature- Salinity Database.

A brief survey of the structure of the database and a demonstration of the search capabilities showing the searchable categories, and keyword search functions was carried out. During the presentation, three other participants were asked to comment on their work at Race Rocks, which is referenced in the Race Rocks Database. Dr. Anita Brinckmann- Voss commented on her work on taxonomy of hydroids, and research on patterns of seasonal change as demonstrated in her most recent publication. Donna Gibbs of the Vancouver Aquarium commented on her experiences in diving and doing a species list which is also connected through the database. Giovanni Rosso, a Pearson College student, gave a brief summary of his findings on polymorphism in the intertidal Littorina snails at Race Rocks.

Marine Protected Area Pilot review process Workshop at Pearson College UWC

Posted on Wednesday,April 7, 1999 by Garry Fletcher

In January of 1999, as part of the requirements of the Marine Protected Areas Pilot review process, Garry Fletcher was contracted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to complete The Race Rocks Ecological Overview. An MS Access metadatabase of all the relevant Race Rocks ecological information to that date was assembled over the next few months. This database and accompanying references and audiovisual materials are now available in the library and biology lab at Lester B. Pearson College.

PART 1: RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL OVERVIEW
CONTENTS