Sidney, B.C. - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) released the 2004 Pacific Region State of the Ocean report today, confirming warm ocean surface waters spread throughout British Columbia in the spring and summer. Scientists attribute this summer warming to abnormal weather in British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska, as well as to general warming of the global lands and oceans.
Other findings showed global land and ocean temperatures were near a record high in 2004. This same weather in B.C. brought record high temperatures to the Fraser River, which was a contributing factor to the low sockeye spawning numbers observed in 2004.
This is the sixth annual report by members of the Fisheries and Oceanography Working Group (FOWG) of the Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC). It summarizes the observations and interpretations of Canadian scientific experts that document the state of the ocean off the coast of British Columbia. PSARC is the Pacific Regional body responsible for review and evaluation of all scientific information on the status of living aquatic resources, their ecosystems, and on biological aspects of stock management.
The report reviews the physical, chemical and biological state of the marine environment by providing us with a better understanding of marine ecosystems in this area. This greater understanding of the structure and functioning of the ecosystem and the changes it undergoes has a direct impact on the yield of marine organisms, the operations of the fishing industry, and the assessment and management of other activities which impact the marine ecosystem.
Some of the observations reported in 2004:
Low-oxygen waters at 200 meters depth or more crept toward the B.C. coast from mid-Gulf of Alaska.
Hake were sighted in Dixon Entrance, much farther north than in 2003.
Southern species of zooplankton increased in abundance and dominant northern oceanic zooplankton species bloomed earlier in spring.
Cold water species such as shrimp declined in numbers off Vancouver Island.
For the first time, an exotic (Atlantic origin) zooplankton species Acartia tonsa successfully invaded B.C. waters on the open continental shelf.
Many jumbo squid were observed in B.C. and Alaska, a first for this warm water species.
Herring presented a mixed response to warming.
Science provides an essential basis for managing fisheries and oceans resources. Fisheries and Oceans Canada researchers develop and implement scientific surveys, data collection techniques, basic and applied research, scientific predictions and forecasts, as well as publication of scientific results.
To view a copy of the annual Pacific Region State of the Ocean report, please visit: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/psarc/OSRs/StateofOceans2004fnl.pdf
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For more information:
Jeanette Lam
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872
