Scientific survey of select British Columbia shorelines in July

Official title: Current conditions shoreline survey July 10 to July 16, 2018

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Emergencies Science and Technology Section is an internationally recognized research Centre with an established oil spill research and development program focused on addressing shoreline issues. Under the Oceans Protection Plan, these scientists are carrying out a number of studies to gather current data about the conditions of the shoreline throughout Canada. This work is important because shorelines are environmentally essential to ecosystems and are key resources to protect.

The coastlines surveyed to date include the Douglas Channel, Grenville Channel and a number of islands along the eastern side of Hecate Strait British Columbia, including Haida Gwaii Island; Port Hawkesbury and the Straits of Canso, Nova Scotia; Saint John and the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick; and Parc National du Bic, near the community of Baie du Ha Ha in Quebec.

In British Columbia, from July 10 to July 16, 2018, ECCC shoreline specialists will be conducting scientific survey of selected shorelines throughout the priority coastline of the Burrard Inlet, in the Port of Vancouver area and Indian Arm. This work will be done with partners, including the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, local municipal government, the Province of British Columbia, and industry. ECCC is collaborating with many agencies to collect as much data as possible across all scientific fields.

The survey will include measuring the slope of the shoreline, taking photos, digging a few test pits to determine the types and depth of sediments and taking sediment samples. All surveys are being done at low tide so that scientists can study the exposed shoreline zones.

The environmental data gleaned from these studies will be used to strengthen our science-based decision-making and will help protect our marine environments and communities from the potential effects of spills and day-to-day vessel operations.

The ground survey will take place at specific sites around the Inlet.

• July 10, 2018 7:45 am Jug Island Beach
• July 10, 2018 10:15 am Belcarra Park
• July 11, 2018 8:00 am Camp Jubilee
• July 11, 2018 11:15 am Bishop Creek Flats
• July 12, 2018 10:00 am Crab Park
• July 12, 2018 11:45 am Harbour View Park
• July 13, 2018 11:30 am Maplewood Mudflats
• July 13, 2018 1:30 pm Cates Park
• July 14, 2018 12:00 pm Stearman Beach
• July 14, 2018 2:00 pm Ambleside Beach
• July 15, 2018 1:15 pm Barnet Marine Park
• July 15, 2018 2:45 pm Old Orchard Park, East side
• July 16, 2018 1:15 pm English Bay
• July 16, 2018 2:45 pm Spanish Banks

For additional information please contact:

Emergencies
Science and Technology Section
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Ottawa, ON

Telephone: 613-998-9622