Jan. 11,2015 Herring survey #1 - John Buchanan I surveyed , across from the Squamish small boat Harbor, South from there, Mamquam blind, Nexen beach , Squamish Terminals, leading point of the Training dike, and along the westerly shore of Howe sound to just South of Woodfiber. No Spawn observed At the start of the Western shore near the Mouth of the Squamish River @ 15:15 I came across a very concentrated band of Sea Urchins just below the lower edge of the Bladder Kelp zone. This band of Urchins was 12 to 24 inches in width and went on for about 1 km. North point of this was N. 49-40.921 W.123-11.485 South point of this was N. 49-40.663 W123-12.871 I did some filming of this phenomenon at the North most point. Also at the Sea Urchin location, Starfish !!! Havnt seen starfish like this since the wasting syndrome hit Howe Sound a few years ago. The absent of the Starfish could also explain the apparent explosion of urchins here. As I approached Woodfiber @15:50 3 seals were actively chasing something in the waters directly infront of the old Mill site just North of mill creek. Seagulls were swooping down grabbing bits of stuff every time the seals surfaced, but I could not determine what this was. Mill creek had a notably large amount of sediment at the mouth. (Perhaps a Woodfiber Estuary in the making ?) Just South of Woodfiber N. 49-39.587 W 123-15.560 @16:00 another discovery lay on the shore. A Pacic White Sided Dophin, dead, but in very good shape. I am guessing it hadn’t been there very long. I measured it at 5 feet 4 inches long. I loaded this very heavy Dolphin into the boat, brought it home, covered it with a pile of snow and brought it down to the “Provincial Animal Health Lab” in Abottsford the next day. The necropsy will be done on behalf of DFO and they promised to share those results with me at a later date. Report by :-John Buchanan , Squamish B.C. Surface water temps. Small boat Harbor …………………….. 4.3 c S.W. mouth of Squamish R……………..5.2 c N. 49-40.921 W.123-11.485
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:45:53 +0000
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