Sebastes melanops: Black Rockfish– The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Physical description

We frequently see schools of these rockfish hanging about when we are diivng at Race Rocks. As you can see in the video, they remain at a distance as the diver swims into the group. They are a thin bass-shaped fish with few head spines. It is black, blue and black, spotted with grey or blue and grey, with black spots on the backs and dorsal fins.


Global distribution:
It lives in the ocean from the area of Amchitka Island (Auletian Islands) southeast to S. Miguel island and S. Barbara (southern California). We can find it from central California to south eastern Alaska.
Habitat:
It usually lives in mid-water or surface, but it has been captured down to 1.200 feet.
Feeding:
Young fish eat plankton and larvae, old eat mainly fish and zooplankton.

Predators:
Their predators are ling cods, sea lions and pigeon guillemots.
Reproduction:
Females are viviparous. From September to November they store the sperm before fertilizing the eggs. They let go young from January to May, peaking in February off California. One interesting fact: They live in groups of thousand of elements. They are good swimmers, in fact they can move hundred of miles.References:
Probably more than you want to know about the fishes of the Pacific Coast, M. Love,
Really Big Press, II edition.

Andy Lamb and Phil Edgell: “Coastal fishes of the Pacific Northwest”
J.L Hart: “Pacific fishes of Canada”

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
sub phylum vertebrata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Pereciformes
Family Scorpaenidae
Genus Sebastes
Species melanops
Common Name:Black Rockfish

 

Other Members of the Class Actinopterigii  at Race Rocks.
taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. March 15 2005- Stefania Marchese PC, year 32 (Italy)

Name: Stefania Marchese,
PC, year 32 (Italy)

Caprella laeviuscla: Smooth skeleton shrimp

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Skeleton shrimp Caprella laeviuscula

 

We found these Caprellids at a depth of 20 metres attached to hydroids on a Balanus nubilus. They frequently dwell amongst hydroids. The size of this individual was 3mm. These individuals were photographed using a Motic Digital Microscope at 10X magnification. Note the response to stimulation when disturbed by a dull probe.

 

Garry and a Pearson College diver, stabilize the Institute of Ocean Sciences float before hauling it into the boat, This was at the end of one year of monitoring the tidal currents. From this process the Current Tables for Race Passage were developed by IOS.

This Post tells the story of the Current Meter Installation :

Look closely to see these tiny skeleton shrimp clinging to the bryozoans,The  shape and color help the shrimp to blend into their background. Their bodies are long, cylindrical and range from pale brown to green Some species can quickly change color to blend into their backgrounds.

Skeleton shrimp look like, and sometimes are called, “praying mantises of the sea.” They have two pairs of legs attached to the front end of their bodies, with three pairs of legs at the back end. The front legs form powerful “claws” for defense, grooming and capturing food. The rear legs have strong claws that grasp and hold on to algae or other surfaces. They use their antennae for filter feeding and swimming.

Diet
diatoms (microscopic plants), detritus, filtered food particles, amphipods
Size
to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long
Range
low intertidal zone and subtidal waters in bays,

Conservation Notes

Skeleton shrimp are abundant and live in many habitats, including the deep sea. They play an important role in the ecosystem by eating up detritus and other food particles.

Cool Facts

Shrimp, sea anemones and surf perch prey on skeleton shrimp. The females of some skeleton shrimp species kill the male after mating.

Skeleton shrimp use their front legs for locomotion. To move, they grasp first with those front legs and then with their back legs, in inchworm fashion. They swim by rapidly bending and straightening their bodies.

To grow, skeleton shrimp shed their old exoskeletons and form new, larger ones. They can mate only when the female is between new, hardened exoskeletons. After mating, the female deposits her eggs in a brood pouch formed from leaflike projections on the middle part of her body. Skeleton shrimp hatch directly into juvenile adults.

Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium:
Online Field Guide http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/living_species/default.asp?hOri=1&inhab=521

Also see:

http://www.nwmarinelife.com/htmlswimmers/c_laeviuscula.html

 

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
SubclassEumalacostraca
SuperorderPeracarida
Order Amphipoda
SuborderCaprellidea
InfraorderCaprellida
Family
Genus Caprella
Species laeviuscula
Common Name: Smooth skeleton shrimp

 

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. March 15 2005- Kevin Mwenda- Pearson College Year 31.

Rostanga pulchra :The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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It is almost always found in association with the red encrusting sponge Ophlitaspongia

Physical Description:
The red sea slug is oval and commonly recognized by its bright color either red, orangish, or scarlet. But it is not uncommon to find some lighter colored species. It matches the texture and color of the sponge that it feeds on. Its body usually measures from 10 to 30 millimeters long. The back of some of the specimens can be covered with sprinkling black specks that stand out more in lighter colors. Their dorsum is covered with caryophilletic tubercules, which gives it a velvety texture. Their unique feature is their rhinophores (organs of the smell) that have vertical perfoliations.
Global Distribution: The red sea slug is dispersed all throughout the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska south to Argentina and Chile. Concentrated especially in Vancouver Island (British Columbia) and Puertecitos (Baja California)
Habitat: They are usually found on the colored red siliceous sponges they feed on, that are encrusted under rocky edges.

Feeding:
Rostanga pulchra feeds on red sponges. Ophlitaspongia pennata, Esperiopsis originalis, Plocamia karykina, and also on Acarnus erithacus and Isociona lithophoenix. It can locate the food from distance by scent. It first removes the top part of the sponge to leave a shallow groove.

Predators:
The predaceous cephalaspidean Navanax intermis can be reppelled by the Rostanga by non-acid secretions.

Reproduction:
The red sea slug is oviparous. The color of the eggs is similar to the color of the slug as well as the one of the sponge. It breads year round. The cylindrical eggs strands (2,000 to 13,000 egg capsules) are laid in a spiral pattern on the sponge they feed upon. The egg development is influenced by temperature: the warmer the shorter the development is. The eggs then develop into a larvae called veliger and drifts as plankton in the sea. The larvae will then settle and metamorphose in a suitable environment.
One interesting Fact: Like all nutribranchs, the Rostanga pulchra is hermaphrodite, which means that it has both female and male sex organs, thus their chances of meeting a potential mating partner increase. But self fertilization remains very rare.

References:
<oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/nudibranch/nudibranch.html>
<http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=9337>
<slugsite.us/bow/nudwk379.htm >
<www.calacademy.org/research/ izg/SFBay2K/Rostanga%20pulchra.htm>
<people.wwc.edu/…/Mollusca/GastropodaOpisthobranchia/Nudibranchia/Doridacea/Rostanga_pulchra.htm>
<www.racerocks.com/racerock/ eco/taxalab/2005/rostangap/rostangap.htm>
<www.metridium.com/monterey/nudibranchs/rostanga

<em><strong>Other<a href=”https://www.racerocks.ca/category/species/class-mollusca/”> Members of thePhylum Mollusca</a> at Race Rocks.</strong></em>

<table>

<tbody>

<tr>

<td><a href=”https://www.racerocks.ca/race-rocks-animals-plants/taxonomy-image-gallery/”><img class=” wp-image-17530 alignleft” src=”https://www.racerocks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taxonomyicon-300×91.jpg” alt=”taxonomyicon” width=”201″ height=”68″></a><a href=”https://www.racerocks.ca/race-rocks-animals-plants/taxonomy-image-gallery/”><strong>Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy

and Image File</strong></a></td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td><a href=”http://pearsoncollege.ca/” target=”_blank”><img class=”alignleft wp-image-5251″ src=”https://www.racerocks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pearsonlogo2_f2.jpg” alt=”pearsonlogo2_f2″ width=”121″ height=”73″></a><strong>The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of <a href=”http://pearsoncollege.ca/” target=”_blank”>Lester Pearson College UWC</a>. </strong><strong>It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and<a href=”https://www.racerocks.ca/category/ecoguardians-log/visitor-observations/”> Observers </a>on the<a href=”https://www.racerocks.ca/video-cameras/” target=”_blank”> remote control</a> <a href=”https://www.racerocks.ca/video-cameras/”>webcams. </a></strong>

<strong><a href=”https://www.racerocks.ca/video-cameras/”>This file was originally started by

Rachel de Silva PC yr32

, Dec. 2005.</a></strong></td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

&nbsp;

Mytilus trossulus: The bay mussel

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musselpool4

These Mytilus trossulus were present in Tidepool 4 at Race Rocks in May, 2004.

 

Physical Description: Mytilus trossulus has a shiny blue-black to black or brownish thin, long shell. Its exterior is smooth with fine lines. The interior of the shell is dull blue with a darker edge. They can be up to 6 to 10 cm long, and 3 to 5 cm high.
Geographical Range: Arctic to Alaska and south to Central California. (approximate)
Habitat: Mussels attach themselves to rocks pilings & other objects in the mid-intertidal zone of shorelines where water is relatively calm. The elevation at which they can be found is limited by the sea stars in the lower intertidal zone and the risk of desiccation in the upper intertidal zone.
Feeding: Mussels are filter-feeders. They filter many litres of water by moving a set of cilia (long hair-like filaments) over their gills to produce a current-like movement and another set of cilia move the trapped food particles (plankton) into food grooves.


Reproduction: Many intertidal organisms’ reproductive cycles are adapted to the tide cycles. For Mytilus trossulus, for example, the gonads mature during the spring tides and they spawn after neap tides. The normal cycle of an invertebrate intertidal organism follows the basic pattern of fertilization and larvae. Fertilization can occur within the adult or in the water itself. A larva then develops in the female parent or in the water and it usually doesn’t look very much like the mature adult. The larvae float in the water for a few minutes up to a few months, depending on the species and reproductive cycle. They feed and grow until the end of their planktonic life, when they settle.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Subclass Heterodonta
Order Mytiloida
Family Mytilidae
Genus Mytilus
Species trossulus
Common Name: Bay Mussel
Behaviours: Often found in large aggregations.
Adaptations to environment: To resist to mechanical stress from the wave movement, mussels have developed a strong but not permanent attachment to the rocky substrate: their byssal threads. They anchor the mussel to the rock, but can be broken and remade so it can have limited, slow movement. Mytilus trossulus also naturally has a high tolerance to waves. Most intertidal mollusks have hard shells with simple structures that aren’t likely to break under the pressure from the waves. Mussels such as Mytilus edulis, a closely related species close their valves tightly at low-tide to avoid water loss at low tide. Like all intertidal creatures, mussels must expose their fleshy parts to feed, which also exposes them to the threat of desiccation (drying out) and predators. Almost all diurnal rocky intertidal animals feed only when the tide is high and the water is covering them.

In the early 2000’s the Pearson College students in the Environmental System classes would do a lab on mussel mariculture

References: ( referenced 2005)
Shells and Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest, A Field Guide. Rick. M. Harbo, 1997

Biological Bulletin, Vol. 193, No. 2, Oct., 1997 http://www.jstor.org/stable/1542764
Balanced Environmental – Bay Mussel – Mytilus trossulus http://www.balanced.ca/hd/mussel.html

http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Mollusca/Bivalvia/Mytiloida/Mytilidae/Mytilus_trossulus.html

Other Members of the Phylum Mollusca at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

Sara Correia, PC year 31

Amber O’Reilly, NWT PC 37

 


Sebastes maliger: Quillback rockfish–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Physical description: The Quillback rockfish is notable for being somewhat dumpier than normal rockfish (with a maximum recorded length of 60cm) with a large, spiny dorsal fin. Quillbacks are lighter coloured around the head and become darker progressing towards the tail. There are normally about two tan stripes running from the dorsal fin down to the belly, and orange spotting on the belly and head. Quillbacks can grow to up to 2 feet, but are not normally found larger than 20 inches.

Global distribution: Quillbacks can be found on the coast from the Gulf of Alaska all the way down to Southern California. However, their location normally ranges from the coast of South Eastern Alaska south to Northern California.

Habitat: These fish are known primarily as solitary, bottom dwellers, and inhabit rocky bottoms and reefs , never straying too far away from a possible hiding spot. Quillbacks can be found at depths between 40 and 250 feet. Generally, the larger the specimen, the deeper the depth that it is likely to be found at.

Feeding: As larvae, they feast mostly upon nauplii invertebrate eggs and copepods. As they grow up and become juveniles they eat mostly crustaceans. When they finally become adults, they become far less picky and feed on crustaceans, small fish (including other rockfish) bivalves and fish eggs.

Predators: As larvae, they are subject to the same predators as any other plankton. As juveniles, they are preyed upon by larger fish (such as rock fish and salmon) as well as marine birds. As adults, larger fish, such as sharks, feed on Quillback Rockfish, and possibly river otters. Rockfish are very popular for sport fishing and are kept alive for export to Asia.

Reproduction: Like all rockfish, Quillbacks are viviparous, and give birth to live offspring. Mating happens in late winter or early spring, and the females give birth between April and July. For the first two months of their lives, larvae are planktonic. Before settling close to shore.

Some Interesting Facts:
-The scientific name for the Quillback Rockfish stems from sabates and maliger, both greek, meaning magnificent and ‘I bear a mast’ respectively (the latter referring to the high dorsal fin notable in the Quillback species.)

-The oldest Quillback Rockfish was a Canadian, with an impressive lifespan of 76 years.

References
Nearshore Finfish Profiles http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/rockfish/quillback.html.2003.

Love, Milton. Probably More Than You Want To Know About The Fishes Of The Pacific Coast. Santa Barbara. Really Big Press.

Andy Lamb and Phil Edgell: “Coastal fishes of the Pacific Northwest”

J.L Hart: “Pacific fishes of Canada”

 

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. March 8 2005- Madeline (PC)

The Abiotic Effects of Solar Energy at Race Rocks

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Cormorant thermo-regulating while drying wings and Sea lions rafting while exposing fins or tail for heat exchange and thermoregulation. below , Glaucous-winged gulls panting on a hot July day

9. C4 and CAM adaptation for xerophytic conditions eg stone crop, plantain

10. Microniches and temperature availability – eg sea slater isopod video

 


Aldridge Point (Figure 1) is a rocky outcrop with a small cove on the north side. The cove has a gravel beach and is bounded by the terrestial vegetation, comprised of arbutus, Douglas fir, salal and pine. The rocky area is composed of bedrock with many smooth vertical faces, dissected by numerous cracks and crevices. There are also large boulders piled one on top of the other down to the low tide level. Many of these boulders are up to 4 feet in diameter. A detailed species list for this area is presented in Appendix 2. In summary, the intertidal area shows the species that are characteristic of moderately wave exposed areas of southern Vancouver Island. The flat rock faces of the upper intertidal are sparsely populated by barnacles, lichens and algae (Porphyra and Fucus distichus).The numerous cracks and crevices harbour snails’, crabs and limpets, while tidepools are inhabited by anemones, mussels, limpets, snails, hermit crabs and coralline algae.

The rocky shores throughout the proposed park area are generally smooth, steeply sloping and dissected by numerous cracks and crevices. The topography and substratum of a shore influences the gradient of conditions on the shore by variations in the water-retaining capacity. As the tide recedes, the intertidal areas start to dry out. The rate of drying depends, firstly, upon the slope of the shore, with steeply sloping rock faces draining more rapidly than undulating platforms or shallow slopes. Cracks and crevices provide micro-environments in which the rate of drainage, and the drying effects of sun and wind are greatly reduced, and permit colonization to higher levels on the shore than occurs on the open rock faces in the same location. This “uplift” of the intertidal zonation may be noted in cracks and crevices throughout the proposed park area.

11. Adaptations of marine animals to low light intensities

For example, the female elephant seal has very big eyes

See the elephant seal file in the Taxonomy.

 

12. Temperature regulation – flippers being held by sea lions and the wings being held out by cormorants and gulls.( see photograph s at the beginning of this file.)

13. Fog as a product of solar energy and the resulting effect on visibility for organisms.
eg: .feeding,mating, migration.

14.  The sun contributes to tides which have a big effect on organisms

15. The illumination of the earth changes with the tilt of the planet . The result is seasons.

Seasons have a great impact on organisms. At the ecological reserve the animal census posts reflect the presence of migratory birds, and of course nesting birds , all determined by seasonal influence.

On Dec 22nd it can be noted that it was still sunlight in the Western part of Alaska and in California when it was already dark here at Race Rocks. From the GOES Satellite we can see the limit of the sunlight in Northern Canada on the 22 of December 2005. These images are taken from satellite images from the Satellite file

 

The SOLAR ENERGY component of the Integrated Energy Project at Race Rocks

 

–—Effects of Ultraviolet energy on organisms at Race Rocks:

Baseline Study and Monitoring of the tidal current energy project at Race Rocks

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March 04, 2005

Mr Garry Fletcher
Garry Fletcher Consulting:
4645 William Head Road
Victoria, BC.

Canada, V9C-3Y7

Re: Baseline Study and Monitoring of the tidal current energy project at Race Rocks

Dear Garry:

Our response to your request for baseline inventory and monitoring services for the Race Rocks tidal current project follows. Our response is slightly unorthodox in that I have taken each of your task requirements and provided comment on a proposed approach and, when possible, some idea of scope, effort and cost. We cannot provide an overall cost estimate for this project until we have further defined the monitoring requirements with yourself and the proponents, in particular the approach and degree of effort required for monitoring noise levels on land and in water. In addition there are partnering opportunities with Pearson College which could reduce costs. However, given the scope provided, I think that the overall project budget will be in the $40,000 to $70,000 range, with about 30-40% of costs attributable to noise monitoring.

We are very interested in working with the Person College-EnCana-Clean Current group on this project, both because of our long term appreciation of Race Rocks as a valued and sensitive marine ecological area, as well as our support for innovative and sustainable energy generation. If you have any questions with respect to this response please contact me early next week.

Sincerely

Brian Emmett, M.Sc.

Director, Marine Environmental Services Division

Tide turns for power, and for young minds

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Tide turns for power, and for young minds

Louise Dickson
Times Colonist (Victoria)
26-Feb-2005

They’re harnessing the tide at Pearson College to keep the lights burning at Race Rocks.

Turbulent tides tumbling by Race Rocks ecological reserve near Metchosin will test how well a new tidal turbine generator stands up to the harsh West Coast environment.

Pearson, which brings together students from around the world for studies and to serve the community, expects the tides to help produce more than enough electricity to replace two diesel generators and provide power to the college’s marine education centre on Great Race Rock Island by 2006.

“The project, the first of its kind in Canada, could prove the value of new technology over time and it could be very beneficial to coastal peoples around the world,” Stuart Walker, director of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, said Friday.

The $4-million project is a partnership between Pearson College, EnCana Corporation of Canada, and Clean Current Power Systems of Vancouver. EnCana, the largest producer and developer of natural gas in North America, is investing $3 million in the project from its environmental innovation fund.

Clean Current developed and built the prototype of a tidal turbine generator which harnesses the power of ocean currents to produce electricity.

Testing will take place in about 15 metres of water, off Race Rocks, about 10 nautical miles southwest of Victoria. The tidal turbine generator, which functions like an underwater windmill, will be anchored to the seabed, and cables will carry away the electricity it generates.

When the tide flows, the blades turn, explained Glen Darou, president of Clean Current. The blades have a permanent magnet attached to them. When the magnet passes by coils, the coils create electricity. The turbine works when currents are flowing in either direction.

According to Darou, the project will have minimal impact on the environment.

“We will have to disturb the bottom of the ocean with the turbine and cables but it’s a fast-growing marine en-

vironment and will recover quickly,” he said.

“Anything that can swim in the tidal currents will not swim into the turbine, it will swim around it. But something that floats through like a jellyfish could actually go into it. That’s the size of the risk.”

The prototype has been tested in fresh water, but Clean Current has to make sure its turbine generator works in saltwater.

“Now we have to prove its operability and maintenance,” said Darou.

Clean Current will know in about 18 months how the model and its one moving part — the rotor — stands up to corrosion in a harsh marine environment. The turbine will be monitored by underwater cameras. The prototype being tested is 3.5-metres in diameter and can produce enough electricity for 10 houses. Full scale models will be 14 metres in diameter and produce enough electricity for 250 houses.

Darou envisions the day when there will be big underwater tidal turbine generator farms with up to 800 turbines that will produce electricity around the world.

“The end of the dream will be our technology licensed around the world and applied in tidal environments all over the world. It’s seeing the technology used and replacing fossil fuels,” he said.

The project will run at Race Rocks for five years. After that, Clean Current will sell the prototype to either B.C. Parks or Pearson College for $1.

Clean Current still needs to come up with $1 million to pay for the project, Darou said. He expected the money will come from private investors and the federal government.

The project will help the company and the province evaluate the future of this technology, said B.C. Energy and Mines Minister Richard Neufeld.

Alternative energy will change how we consume fossil fuels over time, said Neufeld. “This is brand new, so let’s give it time to see how it works. Let’s give it time to see (how) technology can change it to make it more efficient.,” said Neufeld.

TV and Newspaper coverage of the Tidal Energy Project

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TV NEWS CLIPS FEB 25 

 

 

 

Tide Turns for Power, and for Young Minds: Pearson College, Partners Apply Current ThinkingTimes Colonist (Victoria)

Saturday, February 26, 2005 Page: A1 / FRONT Section: News Byline: Louise Dickson Source: Times Colonist

They’re harnessing the tide at Pearson College to keep the lights burning at Race Rocks. Turbulent tides tumbling by Race Rocks ecological reserve near Metchosin will test how well a new tidal turbine generator stands up to the harsh West Coast environment.
Pearson, which brings together students from around the world for studies and to serve the community, expects the tides to help produce more than enough electricity to replace two diesel generators and provide power to the college’s marine education centre on Great Race Rock Island by 2006. “The project, the first of its kind in Canada, could prove the value of new technology over time and it could be very beneficial to coastal peoples around the world,” Stuart Walker, director of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, said Friday. The $4-million project is a partnership between Pearson College, EnCana Corporation of Canada, and Clean Current Power Systems of Vancouver. EnCana, the largest producer and developer of natural gas in North America, is investing $3 million in the project from its environmental innovation fund. Clean Current developed and built the prototype of a tidal turbine generator which harnesses the power of ocean currents to produce electricity. Testing will take place in about 15 metres of water, off Race Rocks, about 10 nautical miles southwest of Victoria. The tidal turbine generator, which functions like an underwater windmill, will be anchored to the seabed, and cables will carry away the electricity it generates.When the tide flows, the blades turn, explained Glen Darou, president of Clean Current. The blades have a permanent magnet attached to them. When the magnet passes by coils, the coils create electricity. The turbine works when currents are flowing in either direction. According to Darou, the project will have minimal impact on the environment. “We will have to disturb the bottom of the ocean with the turbine and cables but it’s a fast-growing marine environment and will recover quickly,” he said. “Anything that can swim in the tidal currents will not swim into the turbine, it will swim around it. But something that floats through like a jellyfish could actually go into it. That’s the size of the risk.” The prototype has been tested in fresh water, but Clean Current has to make sure its turbine generator works in saltwater. “Now we have to prove its operability and maintenance,” said Darou. Clean Current will know in about 18 months how the model and its one moving part — the rotor — stands up to corrosion in a harsh marine environment. The turbine will be monitored by underwater cameras. The prototype being tested is 3.5-metres in diameter and can produce enough electricity for 10 houses. Full scale models will be 14 metres in diameter and produce enough electricity for 250 houses. Darou envisions the day when there will be big underwater tidal turbine generator farms with up to 800 turbines that will produce electricity around the world. “The end of the dream will be our technology licensed around the world and applied in tidal environments all over the world. It’s seeing the technology used and replacing fossil fuels,” he said. The project will run at Race Rocks for five years. After that, Clean Current will sell the prototype to either B.C. Parks or Pearson College for $1. Clean Current still needs to come up with $1 million to pay for the project, Darou said. He expected the money will come from private investors and the federal government. The project will help the company and the province evaluate the future of this technology, said B.C. Energy and Mines Minister Richard Neufeld. Alternative energy will change how we consume fossil fuels over time, said Neufeld. “This is brand new, so let’s give it time to see how it works. Let’s give it time to see (how) technology can change it to make it more efficient.,” said Neufeld.

College Harnessing Waves to Power Ecological Reserve Okanagan Weekender Sunday, February 27, 2005 Page: A2 Section: West Byline: Dateline: VICTORIA Source: Canadian PressVICTORIA (CP) — They’re harnessing the tide at Pearson College on Vancouver Island to keep the lights burning at Race Rocks ecological reserve. Turbulent tides tumbling by Race Rocks will test how well a new tidal turbine generator stands up to the harsh west coast environment. The project is expected to produce more than enough electricity to replace two diesel generators and provide power to the suburban Metchosin college’s marine education centre on Great Race Rock Island by 2006. “The project, the first of its kind in Canada, could prove the value of new technology over time, and it could be very beneficial to coastal peoples around the world,” Stuart Walker, director of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, said Friday. The $4-million project is a partnership between Pearson College, Calgary-based EnCana Corp., and Clean Current Power Systems of Vancouver. EnCana, the largest producer and developer of natural gas in North America, is investing $3 million in the project from its environmental innovation fund. Clean Current developed and built the prototype of a tidal turbine generator that harnesses the power of ocean currents to produce electricity. Testing will take place in about 15 metres of water, off Race Rocks, about 10 nautical miles southwest of Victoria. The tidal turbine generator, which functions like an underwater windmill, will be anchored to the seabed. When the tide flows, the blades turn. They have a permanent magnet attached that passes by coils, which create electricity. The electricity passes through a cable on the seabed into a facility where it is conditioned. The turbine works when currents are flowing in either direction.

College Reseachers Testing Tidal Power

B.C. news roundup: Feb. 26 Broadcast News Saturday, February 26, 2005
Pearson College near Victoria is testing the waters of tidal power with a new turbine generator to run the Race Rocks ecological preserve. It’s a $4 million experiment to see how well the new turbine stands up to the harsh west-coast environment. If it works, the unit will replace two diesel generators by March 2006. The project is being sponsored Calgary-based energy producer EnCana Corporation and Clean Current Power Systems of Vancouver.

Project tests Race Rocks’ Tidal Power

Goldstream News Gazette  Mar 02 2005, By Rick Stiebel

  The tides of change are turning in Metchosin.  Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, Encana Corporation and Clean  Current Power Systems announced an innovative partnership Friday to  build a free-stream tidal power generator, the first of its kind in  Canada, at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.  The project, made possible by a $3 million investment from Encana’s  Environmental Innovation Fund, involves replacing two diesel-powered  generators at Race Rocks that supply power for Pearson’s marine  education centre with a tidal turbine generator, built by Clean  Current Power Systems.  The remaining funding for the $4 million project is expected to come  from private investors and the federal government.  The generator is scheduled to begin producing power by 2006.  The turbine generator has only one moving part, the rotor assembly  that contains permanent magnets. The turbine, anchored to the ocean  floor in about 15 metres of water, operates like an underwater  windmill with cables that carry away the energy it produces.  “This Canadian technology is simple, efficient and environmentally  friendly,” Clean Current president Glen Darou said at the Feb. 25  announcement at Pearson College.

 A prototype, which has been tested in fresh water, will be scrutinized  closely over the next 18 months to see how it holds up to corrosion  resulting from a marine, saltwater environment.  “This is a terrific project for Pearson College, in that it supports  our goal of making the ecological reserve a showcase for alternative,  low impact technologies such as tidal power,” said Pearson College  director Stuart Walker.  Pearson College staff and students played a major role in having the  site at Race Rocks, about three nautical miles from the Metchosin  school. Race Rocks was declared an ecological reserve in 1980.  The college is dedicated to protecting the marine ecosystems within  the reserve, while increasing awareness about marine systems,  ecological reserves and environmental issues, Walker said.

 Encana Corporation CEO president Gwyn Morgan said his company is  “pleased to be a partner in a first-class, alternative energy  project.”  “Our investment in this B.C. based unconventional environmental and  power technology reflects our desire to tangibly encourage innovative  energy solutions.”  Encana is one of North America’s largest independent oil and natural  gas companies, with an enterprise value of about $34 billion US.

 B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines Richard Neufeld praised the three  parties involved in the partnership.

 “The project certainly looks environmentally sound,” said Don McLaren,  area supervisor for B.C. Parks. “It will not only remove the diesel  generators on Race Rocks, but greatly reduce the noise factor.”  McLaren said the project will put Pearson College and B.C. Parks in “a  greener position, and help us and Pearson a lot.”