| Resource Information Management |
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Guide to Spatial Land and Resource Information
in LRMP
| Commercial Use
Topic |
Main Information
Source |
| Aquaculture sites |
Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Fisheries |
| Capability for Finfish
Aquaculture |
Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Fisheries |
| Capability for Shellfish
Aquaculture |
Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Fisheries |
| Commercial fishing |
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans |
| The natural history of the area is organized
into a series of themes which map the known distribution of plants,
fish, birds and marine mammals in the region. Where it is appropriate
and also known, information on the abundance and seasonal use
of the region has also been provided. The natural history themes
and main source(s) of information for these themes include in
the LRMPs are: |
| Natural History
Theme |
Main Information
Source |
| Eel grass beds |
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans |
| Kelp beds |
Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Fisheries |
| Salmon Streams |
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans |
| Herring Spawn |
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans |
| Cetaceans (Orcas,
Gray whales, Humpback whales, Dall’s porpoise, Harbour
porpoise, and Minke whale) |
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans, local experts, databases of sightings |
| Seals and Sea lions |
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans |
| Sea Otters |
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans |
| Coastal sea birds
(waterfowl, shorebirds, Marbled murrelets, other “Alcids”,
gulls, cormorants and “pelagic” bird species) |
database of sightings,
published literature, Canadian Wildlife Service and other experts |
| Bald eagles |
Ministry of Environment
Lands and Parks, local experts |
| Other marine industrial uses and infrastructure
topics included in the LRMPs are: |
| Industrial Use
/ Infrastructure Topic |
Main Information
Source |
| Industrial sites
(timber mills and plants, fish processing plants, logging operations,
log dumps, log booming sites) |
Ministry of Forests,
CHS charts, Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture
“Tourism Resource Inventories”. |
| BC Ferry Routes |
CHS charts, BC Ferry
Corporation |
| Cultural sites and marine recreation and tourism
were inventoried along with the similar terrestrial topics.
1. CONTACT AGENCY
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Barron
Carswell, (250) 356-2237
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory maintains information on finfish and
shellfish leases, licenses and operation details. Sites which
currently have a license to operate have been mapped using the
legal boundaries of the site. Sites which have been proposed but
not received a license have been mapped as points buffered with
a 200m radius.
The information included in this inventory include:
aquaculture license number; name of licensee and affiliated corporation;
species farmed; type of culture method; details on the tenure
(type, date of issue, expiry date, land file); the operational
status of the operation; the number of years the operation has
been in operation; the maximum capacity and production of the
site; whether of not the site has been inspected my a MAFF officer;
the relative importance of the site assigned by MAFF. Sites which
have been proposed but not yet received a license have no information
associated with them other than their location.
Most of the finfish aquaculture operations are rearing
salmon while the majority of shellfish operations farm oysters.
Other species which are of have been farmed in B.C. include clams,
scallops, mussels, abalone, Nori, Kelp, and Black cod.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Information is collected on a site by site basis
as an application for an aquaculture tenure is received. Each
application contains a site map showing the proposed boundaries
of the lease and a detailed description of the management plan
including the species to be farmed, the size of the operation
and the method that will be used to culture the species. The boundaries
of the lease are mapped on 1:20,000 provincial map sheets and
given legal descriptions by the Surveyor General Branch. The actual
operation of the site is monitored by MAFF.
Sites proposed for operation, but which have not
yet applied for tenure were identified by DFO fishery officers.
Additional sites have been identified from nautical charts and
sailing directions by the Ministry of Small Business, Culture
and Tourism’s Central Coast Tourism Resource Inventory. The
accuracy of the locations of these additional sites has not been
verified.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province.
|
| Date inventory
completed |
Ongoing |
| Collection scale |
1:20,000. |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
Aquaculture site
|
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Where are the aquaculture sites in the plan
area?
- What kinds of species are being farmed in the
region?
- What is the current status of the tenure of
an aquaculture sites?
- Who owns the aquaculture leases or licenses
in the region?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- What is the value of the aquaculture operations
in the region?
- What is the current volume of fish or shellfish
being raised at a site?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes
The boundaries of the individual sites are approximate
at this scale. |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Yes |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Yes |
| Other comments: |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Barron
Carswell, 356-2237
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
This inventory rates the biophysical capability
of an area for net cage rearing of salmon as Good, Medium, Poor
or Not Acceptable based on 16 biophysical variables. These include:
Temperature, Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, Currents, Hydrology,
Waves, Substrate, Water Depth, Wind and Exposure, Shoreline Instability,
Snowfall and Freeze over, Marine Vegetation, Freshwater Availability,
Predators, Plankton Blooms, and Pollution.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Information was collected from personal interviews
with local field officers from the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans, Ministry of Forests, and the Ministry of Environment,
Lands and Parks; interviews with specialist scientists; published
information; and data on file in various government offices.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province except
for areas where aquaculture is unlikely to expand due to current
land use policies (unmapped areas include SE Vancouver Island,
Strait of Juan de Fuca, Lower Mainland, Lasqueti Island, Texada
Island and the Mainland coast to the NE of Texada Island) |
| Date inventory
completed |
1986-1996
Source data used for the ranking may date back
over 100 years. |
| Collection scale |
1:50,000 to 1:125,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:50,000; 1:250,000 |
| Data collection
units |
The biophysical ratings
for the rearing of salmon in net cages are assigned to areas
or “polygons” with boundaries determined by one or
more of the biophysical variables. |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- What is the capability of a specific region
for salmon net pen rearing?
- Where is the potential salmon net pen rearing
areas?
- How many good or medium sites in a region for
salmon net pen rearing?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes
This scale is appropriate for regional planning
but should not be used for evaluating individual sites or waterways. |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Partially
The inventory is really an assessment based on
existing data and interviews with individuals. In many cases
the existing biophysical data are old, however they still represent
the current state of knowledge for the area. The criteria used
to determine the capability for salmon net pen rearing are based
on the tolerances of Chinook salmon and current net rearing
technology. The technology has changed somewhat since the south
coast evaluation was completed with more sturdy open water net
cages now being available and other species being considered
(e.g. Atlantic salmon, Sockeye). |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Yes
Entire province has been mapped except for areas
where aquaculture is unlikely to expand due to current land
use policies (SE Vancouver Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Lower
Mainland, Lasqueti Island, Texada Island and the Mainland coast
to the NE of Texada Island) |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Partially
In the north coast region the newer technologies
(other species, deep water nets) have been taken into consideration.
While most of the province was mapped at a scale of 1:50,000,
Johnstone Strait, Queen Charlotte Strait and the west coast
of Vancouver Island were mapped at a scale of 1:125,000 |
| Other comments: |
In many areas the
analysis of capability for salmon net pen rearing is based on
incomplete information. For example in some areas there has
never been a survey of water quality (temperature, salinity,
dissolved oxygen) and the parameters have to be extrapolated
from other regions. In a few areas such as parts of the Queen
Charlotte Islands, even bathymetry data is lacking. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Barron
Carswell, (250) 356-2237
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory rates the biophysical capability of
an area for shellfish aquaculture. Each location where a survey
has been made is marked as a point on the map. The location is
assigned a rating for its capability for raising shellfish. The
ratings (Good, Medium, Poor or Not Acceptable) are based on 14
physical and biological variables (e.g., temperature, salinity,
diseases, predators).
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Information for the nearshore salinity, temperature
and beach slope and composition were collected from field surveys
at sites that were no greater than 1.0 nautical mile (1.85 km)
apart in most areas and no more than a half nautical mile apart
in estuaries. The water temperature and salinity measurements
were made at ½ meter intervals to a maximum depth of 50 meters.
Temperature and salinity sampling at a location was made at least
twice within a year; once during the summer and once in late winter
or early spring. The beach profile and substrate was assessed
during a single summer low-tide interval and the relative exposure
was assessed once for each deep water reach and once for each
beach area.
The inventory is designed so that the ratings can
be updated as new information become available. For example, the
initial rating may be based on just 10 of the 14 variables. This
rating can be updated if information on the other variables is
collected.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Sampling and mapping
are completed in the following areas: the major inlets on the
west coast of Vancouver Island (Nootka, Quatsino, Kyuquot and
Clayquot Sounds), Okover Inlet, Jervis Inlet, Quadra and Cortez,
Johnstone Strait, the Broughton Archipelago and the south central
coast waterways. |
| Date inventory
completed |
1997 |
| Collection scale |
The data were collected
at a point location which has been mapped at a scale of 1:40,000. |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
The biophysical ratings
for shellfish capability are assigned to the points where the
samples were taken. |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- What is the capability of a specific region
for shellfish culture?
- Where on the coast might shellfish culture occur?
- How many good or medium sites for shellfish
culture exit in a region?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- What is the capability of a specific site for
shellfish culture?
- What is the economic suitability of a site for
shellfish culture?
- Is shellfish culture economically viable in
the region?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes
This scale is appropriate for regional planning
but should not be used for evaluating individual sites or waterways. |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
Sampling and mapping are completed in the following
areas: the major inlets on the west coast of Vancouver Island
(Nootka, Quatsino, Kyuquot and Clayquot Sounds), Okover Inlet,
Jervis Inlet, Quadra and Cortez, Johnstone Strait, the Broughton
Archipelago and the south central coast waterways. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Yes |
| Other comments: |
For waterways, the
shellfish capability mapping provides information on the gross
spatial delimitation of areas considered capable of sustaining
shellfish culture, so they will not necessarily identify specific
sites within these relatively large areas where shellfish culture
facilities might ideally be located. For shellfish farming that
could occur on beaches (e.g., oyster farming), specific beaches
have been rated. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, South Coast
Division, Margaret Wright, (250) 756-7269
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, North Coast
Division, Tom Pendray, (250) 627-3449
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne, (250)
356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
Areas where commercial fishing takes place are indicated
for commercial finfish and invertebrate fisheries. The commercial
fisheries are divided into map layers according to species and/or
gear product. They include:
- Salmon troll fishery
- Salmon net fisheries - includes both gillnet
and seine fisheries
- Herring fishery - includes commercial roe, spawn-on-kelp,
bait and food fisheries
- Groundfish fishery - includes troll, handline,
long-line and trawl fisheries for numerous rockfish species,
halibut, lingcod, gray cod, dogfish, hagfish, sablefish, hake,
pollock and Pacific sandlance
- Clam and Oyster fishery - includes Manila, Littleneck,
Butter and Razor clams and Pacific oysters
- Sea Urchin fishery- dive fishery for Red or
Green sea urchin
- Crab fishery - includes trap fisheries for Dungeness,
red rock, Tanner crabs
- Shrimp and Prawn fisheries - includes trap and/or
trawl fisheries for shrimp and/or prawn
- Miscellaneous shellfish fisheries - including
scallop, gooseneck barnacle, octopus, squid
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The information on the location and relative regional
importance of a fishery are collected from interviews with field
and scientific staff at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(DFO) according to a standard data survey method developed by
LUCO. The value of the catch are summarized by DFO major statistical
area; There are 31 major inshore statistical areas and 17 major
offshore statistical areas in B.C. The data on the landings are
maintained by DFO and are based on landing slips provided by the
fishery. There is some sampling done by DFO to check on the validity
of these landing records. For the purpose of a LRMP the value
of the landings are averaged for the last 5 year period for which
they have been compiled.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province |
| Date inventory
completed |
1994 - 1997
The location of fisheries has been collected over
a three year period however the data on commercial catch is
collected every year. |
| Collection scale |
1:40,000 - 1:250,00
depending on the fishery.
Information for wide spread fisheries such as
the salmon troll fishery are mapped at a scale of 1:100,000
to 1:250,00 while information for site specific fisheries such
as salmon gillnet or seine fisheries are collected at a scale
of about 1:40,000. The DFO major statistical areas are used
for collecting information on commercial landings. |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
The collection unit
is an area fished which may be a small section of beach or an
entire offshore bank. |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Where does commercial fishing take place in
the region?
- What types of commercial fishing are currently
occurring in the region?
- What is the approximate value of commercial
landings taken from an area?
The inventory should not be used to answer the following
specific questions:
- What is the potential for commercial fishing
in an area? Commercial fishing may not take place due to current
fisheries management strategies implemented by DFO. The are
may be closed because of pollution, to rebuild stocks or the
area may be allocated to recreational or aboriginal fisheries.
- What was the historic importance of an area
for commercial fishing?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
The North coast and Queen Charlotte Islands regions
are currently in the process of being collected and added in. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Partially
Not all fisheries exist in every region. Fisheries
which are minor in a region may be lumped into a single data
layer with “Other” fisheries in that region but be
pulled out as a data layer on their own in regions where they
are important. |
| Other comments: |
The data reflect
the DFO management strategies as much as they do the distributions
of the species. There may be year to year changes as stock sizes
change or allocations between different sectors and gear types
are altered. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Barron
Carswell, (250) 356-2237
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory contains information on the location,
size and extent of kelp beds. In some areas there is information
on the density and species of kelp present.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The data come from two sources. The main data source
was the nautical charts and sailing guides published by the Canadian
Hydrographic Service (CHS). While charting water depths and shorelines
the CHS field officers also map kelp beds. They do not include
information on the species of kelp or on the density of the bed.
The second data source was kelp surveys done by the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) using fixed wing aircraft.
These surveys included field trips to the kelp beds to verify
the kelp species and density of kelp observed from the air. These
surveys were made only in a few selected areas of the province.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
LUCO has consolidated
the information into a digital base for all of the South and
Central coast regions. The North Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands
regions are in the process of being compiled.
The entire province is covered by the CHS charts.
MAFF kelp surveys have been completed for Juan
de Fuca Strait, Nootka Sound and the Hesquiat Peninsula, northern
Vancouver Island, Hakai Passage to the Bardswell Group, Estevan
Group and Campania Island, Goschen Island to Tree Nob Group,
Malcolm Island, northwest Graham Island. |
| Date inventory
completed |
The LUCO database
was completed for the Southern Georgia Strait in 1994 and is
ongoing in the North Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands regions.
CHS chart data is collected on an ongoing basis.
The MAFF aerial kelp surveys were flown between
1974 and 1996. |
| Collection scale |
The LUCO database
was based on the:
-kelp data collected by CHS typically at a scale
of 1:5000 to 1:50,000.
- MAFF kelp surveys collected at a scale of 1:7,200. |
| Presentation scale |
The LUCO database
is presented at a scale of 1:40,000. |
| Data collection
units |
Kelp bed |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Which areas are important as fish habitat?
- Where could kelp harvesting take place?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Partially
Kelp beds are dynamic and frequently change in
response to grazing by sea urchins or damage by storms. In some
areas the CHS charts are old and have little detail. The MAFF
surveys are all pre-1990 except in the Hakai Passage region. |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
Coverage for the North coast is not yet complete. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Partially
The data quality varies between areas depending
on the availability of MAFF surveys and the age and scale of
the CHS charts. |
| Other comments: |
Kelp beds increase
the local marine productivity. They are important habitats for
many commercial species of fish and marine mammals, especially
when they are young. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory maps the location and extent of eelgrass
beds. The area and perimeter of the beds are calculated. The database
also includes the name of the study from which the data were extracted.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The LUCO office has pulled together a variety of
sources of data to map eelgrass beds. These include interpretation
of satellite imagery to locate the larger beds and existing information
extracted from interviews with fishery officers and other locals.
In areas such as Johnstone Strait where eelgrass occurs in numerous
small patches, it has not been mapped.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
west coast Vancouver
Island, Georgia Strait, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca |
| Date inventory
completed |
1994-1996 |
| Collection scale |
1:40,000 to 1:80,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
Eelgrass bed |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Which areas are important as fish or shellfish
habitat?
- What would be the impact of shoreline development?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes
Eelgrass beds may change their size or even disappear
as a result of movement of coastal sediments. Most of the anecdotal
information on the location of beds was collected at least 5
years ago. |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
The LUCO database does not include information
on the location of eelgrass beds in northern Johnstone Strait,
Queen Charlotte Sound, or the mid-coast region. The collection
of information for the Queen Charlotte Island and North coast
regions in currently underway. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Partially
The larger eelgrass beds are more likely to be
mapped than are the smaller beds. Beds in less remote areas
are more likely to have been recorded by fishery officers. |
| Other comments: |
Eelgrass beds increase
the local marine productivity. They are important habitats for
many commercial species of fish and shellfish, especially when
they are young. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Bruce McCarter,
(250) 756-7198
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
DFO maintains a database of all locations on the
coast where herring spawn. Each location is identified as a 1
km coastal segment and includes information on the relative magnitude
and the timing of herring spawn at that site. Any site where herring
have been reported to spawn in since 1928 has been included. Sites
with no known herring spawn are not included.
LUCO has converted the DFO herring spawn database
into a GIS map layer. The LUCO maps are based on the same field
data for the whole province but have been structured somewhat
differently in the various regions of the province. In the Straits
of Georgia and West Coast Vancouver Island regions the spawn has
been mapped as linear coastal segments of varying length. Each
segment is linked to a record in a database which provides information
on: the DFO statistical section number; the first and last year
for which spawning records are available; the consistency of spawning
in that location (infrequent, constant or frequent), the magnitude
of the spawn in that location (very small, small, medium, large,
very large); the number of times in the last 50 years that spawn
has been observed in that location (frequency of spawning); the
linear length of the spawn; the area covered by the spawn; the
average date of spawning both weighted to account for when most
of the spawn was deposited and unweighted; and the relative importance
of the spawn which is based on the magnitude of the spawn..
In the Johnstone Strait region and the coastal regions
in northern B.C. the herring spawn GIS map layer was based on
1 km coastal segments to which were attached information on the
frequency of all spawning recorded since 1928, the mean Julian
day of the start of the spawning event, the estimated mean number
of egg layers weighted by the percent cover of the are by spawn,
the area covered by the spawn, and a “Spawn Index”.
The Spawn Index is a measure of the relative abundance of spawn
within that 1 km coastal segment and is based on the total number
of eggs estimated to be there. The relative importance of the
spawn was assigned based on the Spawn Index. Adjacent coastal
segments with a similar Spawn Index were joined together.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The information on herring spawn has been collected
mainly by fishery officers observing the spawn from the shore.
In a few locations there have been extensive dive surveys to map
the magnitude and location of the spawn deposition. DFO maintains
a database of the location of spawn which is augmented every year
with new data from fishery officers.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
DFO maintains information
for the entire province.
The GIS database for the North Coast and Queen
Charlotte Island regions is currently being created. It is complete
for the rest of the province. |
| Date inventory
completed |
DFO database contains
data from 1928 to the present
LUCO GIS map layers were created between 1994
and 1997. |
| Collection scale |
1:1,000,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
One km herring spawn
segment |
| Digital format
of maps |
Name format. If data
are not available digitally note “None” |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- What is the relative importance of a coastal
area to B.C. herring stocks?
- What resources would be impacted by coastal
development or pollution?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
· Will herring spawn in a certain location
this year?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes
The herring spawn is variable enough that data
collected at a scale larger than 1:1,000,000 would be assuming
more accuracy than existed. |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes
The GIS maps maintained by LUCO will become outdated
soon, however they represent long term trends and the DFO database
is kept current. |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Yes
The DFO database is maintained for the entire
province. The LUCO GIS maps are complete except for the North
Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands regions which will be completed
this year. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Yes |
| Other comments: |
Small isolated stocks
may have a low spawn index but are possibly important in maintaining
biodiversity and resilience of the B.C. herring to climate change. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Graeme Ellis,
(250) 756-7245
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory maps the distribution and relative
importance of coast areas of B.C. to the major cetacean species
found in B.C. waters. The inventory individually maps Orcas (Killer
whales), Gray whales, Humpback whales, Dall’s porpoise, Harbour
porpoise, and Minke whale. Not all species are mapped for all
regions of the province. A species is mapped only in those regions
where they are reasonable common. The inventory maps the distribution
and relative abundance (high, medium, low) of the species in an
area.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The distribution and abundance of the individual
whale or porpoise species were mapped from information collected
from discussions with marine mammal experts. In some instances
the actual relative abundance of a species was known for an area;
in more remote areas the abundance was predicted using the known
range of the species and the preference of the species for particular
water depths and the distance from shore that it is typically
found.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province
The North Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands regions
are in the process of being compiled. |
| Date inventory
completed |
1994-1996 |
| Collection scale |
1:40,000 - 1:250,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
Areas of abundance |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Which areas are most important to whales in
the region?
- What species of cetacean are likely to be present
in a region?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- How many whales or porpoises in an area?
- What species of cetacean are present in a region?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to dte? |
Yes
There has been little in the way of systematic
surveys for cetaceans since the LUCO maps were created. Additional
sighting data is constantly being gathered but the maps of general
abundance are unlikely to change frequently. |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
The North Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands regions
are in the process of being compiled. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Yes
There has been little systematic mapping of cetacean
distributions in B.C. aside from the LUCO mapping. There are
standards for recording of sighting data, however non-experts
frequently misidentify species and sighting are primarily in
areas where the population is concentrated such as the Straits
of Georgia of Johnstone Strait. |
| Other comments: |
Cetaceans are highly
mobile species and may be found almost anywhere in the region.
The LUCO maps only map the areas where they are most likely
to occur. Our knowledge of the distribution and habitat preferences
of cetaceans is still very incomplete. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Peter Olesiuk,
(250) 756-7254
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory maps the location of haulouts and
rafting or milling sites for Harbour seals, Elephant seals, Steller
sea lions, and California sea lions. Each site is identified and
the number of animals is recorded. Harbour seals are identified
as either ‘pups’ (born that year) or adults. Sea lions
are identified as being adult male or female or ‘pups’.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The scientists at DFO use fixed winged aircraft
to fly the coast at low tide and count the number of seals or
sea lions at each site. At sites where there are large numbers
of individuals, photographs are taken and the number of seals
or sea lions are counted from the photos back in the laboratory.
Harbour seals are typically counted during the late spring or
summer . Sea lions are counted both during the winter (typically
February) and again during the summer. This is because the California
sea lions typically are found in B.C. waters only during the winter
months. There are no systematic surveys for Elephant seals which
are not common in B.C.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province
Certain regions have been more intensively and/or
frequently surveyed than others. There have been no systematic
surveys in most of the Central coast region and outside the
Skeena River in the North Coast region. |
| Date inventory
completed |
DFO is updating the
inventories for sea lions every 5 years and for seals every
1-5 years depending on the region.
The LUCO database was created between 1994 and
1997 depending on the region. |
| Collection scale |
1:20,000 - 1:40,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
point location representing
haulout or rafting site |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo, dBase |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Where are seal and sea lion haulouts concentrated
in the region?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- How many seals or sea lions are in an area?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
DFO has surveyed the Strait of Georgia, Juan de
Fuca Strait , Barkley Sound , NE Vancouver Island, the Skeena
River area and the east coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Yes
The frequency of surveys has been greatest in
the Strait of Georgia, especially around the Fraser River and
Boundary Bay. |
| Other comments: |
Seals are only surveyed
during the summer months, however it is assumed that their winter
distribution is similar. The seal population is increasing at
a rate of more than 15% and so it is expected that new haulouts
will constantly be appearing. The range of the California sea
lion has gradually be moving northward and these sea lions are
now sighted as far north as Barley Sound or Johnstone Strait.
The Steller sea lion breeds in B.C. and is found throughout
the province. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Graeme Ellis,
(250) 756-7245
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory maps locations where sea otters are
know to occur.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The locations where sea otters are currently known
to occur have been mapped from discussions with experts at the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans. DFO receives information on
where sea otters have been sighted from local DFO or provincial
government field workers. The marine Mammal unit at DFO then surveys
the extent of sea otters in the area from helicopters, fixed winged
aircraft or by boat. The provincial Corporate Information Services
then gets the information on the general extent of sea otters
and maps it using the GIS.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province |
| Date inventory
completed |
1987-1995 |
| Collection scale |
DFO maps the sea
otter sightings on charts typically at a scale of 1:40,000
The data is compiled for LUCO from verbal descriptions
accurate at a scale of about 1:250,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
General area of occurrence
|
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
· Where are the most important concentrations
of sea otter currently located?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- Where are sea otters likely to be found 5-10
years from now?
- How many sea otters currently reside in the
region?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes
The distribution of sea otter within the identified
areas can not be determined. |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Yes
Areas off the west coast of Vancouver Island have
been studied in more detail than elsewhere in the province. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Yes |
| Other comments: |
The range of sea
otters in B.C. is currently expanding but there are not estimates
of the rate of expansion or of where they will expand to first.
Historically sea otters were found in most coastal areas of
B.C. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Corporate Information Services, Don Howes - (250)
356-7721
Canadian Wildlife Service, Michael Dunn - (604)
940 4660
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory is assembled from multiple sources
and maps areas where coastal marine birds concentrate or breed
on the B.C. coast. The birds have been separated into waterfowl,
shorebirds, Marbled murrelets, other “Alcids”, gulls,
cormorants and “pelagic” bird species which are associated
with the open ocean. The locations where sea bird species breed
are included in the maps.
"Waterfowl" breed primarily in interior
regions and utilize coastal locations during spring or fall migrations
or for the entire non-breeding period from September to mid-May.
Three species of diving ducks, Harlequin ducks, Surf scoters and
White-winged scoters may move to marine waters during the late
summer (July-August) during their annual post-breeding moult.
During the summer loons may use the marine coastal waters and
dabbling ducks, geese and swans can be found in marine estuaries
near breeding sites.
Most shorebirds are migrants or winter visitors
to the coastal areas of British Columbia. The only shorebirds
which nests on the B.C. coast are the Black Oystercatcher and
Great Blue Heron. The shorebirds regularily found in B.C. group
include on or more species of Plovers, surfbirds, Turnstones,
and Sandpipers all of which are found primarily along the shoreline.
While Phalaropes are also classified as shorebirds by taxonomists,
the three Phalarope species found on the BC coast have been treated
as pelagic birds as in B.C. waters they are usually found migrating
in large flocks offshore. On the other hand, the Great Blue heron,
is not scientifically classified as a shorebird but has been lumped
in with the shorebirds because of its similar use of habitat and
rare occurrence.
Marbled murrelets are on the provincial 'Blue' list
of species which are considered vulnerable and are thought to
be candidates for the 'Red' list of endangered species in the
foreseeable future. While the B.C. population still numbers in
the thousands, evidence indicates that the murrelet numbers are
declining. During the breeding season (April-August), the majority
of murrelets are found offshore of old-growth forests, located
mostly within 60 km of the coast. At sea, murrelets are usually
found as widely spaced pairs but occasionally form large flocks
which may contain sizeable portions of local populations. Often
these flocks are associated with tidal rips, high current areas
or river plumes. While small numbers of murrelets may winter in
most coastal waters of B.C., selected parts of the Strait of Georgia,
southern Johnstone Strait and Puget Sound are the primary wintering
areas of murrelets in British Columbia.
The group of birds refered to as “Other Alcids”
includes murres, murrelets, guillimots and aukletts which are
diving sea birds which mostly tend to nest in large colonies on
offshore islands. There are 3 common species of gulls on the B.C.
coast (only one species breeds here), and three species of cormorants.
The offshore or “pelagic” marine birds include Phalaropes,
Shearwaters, Petrels, and Albatross.
Fifteen species of marine bird breed in marine areas
on the B.C. coast. These include Least and Fork-tailed Storm petrels;
Glaucous-winged gull; Pelagic, Brandt’s and Double-crested
cormorants; Common Murre; Pigeon Guillemot; Cassin and Rhinoceros
auklets; Tufted and Horned Puffins; Black oystercatcher; and Great
Blue Heron. The point location of the nest or colony and the most
current estimate of the number of breeding birds is given for
each site.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The main source of data on species distributions
came from a database of bird sightings made during aerial surveys
conducted primarily between 1967 and 1982. Some additional sites
were mapped based on more recent published surveys or from personal
cummunications with experts. The number and location of sea bird
colonies or nests has been published by the Canadian Wildlife
Service. These information were entered into a GIS database by
LUCO.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province |
| Date inventory
completed |
1994-1996 |
| Collection scale |
1:50,000 (distributions);
1:1000-1:20,000 (colonies) |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
colony sites; surveys
polygons or habitats (e.g. estuary, reach, inlet) |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Where do marine birds breed in the region?
- Where and in what season have major concentrations
of marine birds been seen in the region?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- How many marine birds are there in the region?
- Where are all of the areas important to marine
birds in the region?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes
Birds are highly mobile and mapping their distribution
at a finer scale would apply more knowledge than we have at
a regional level. |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Partially
The maps produced by LUCO for the LRMP are recent
and based on the best possible knowledge at this time. Much
of the underlying information however is out of date especially
in the more remote areas such as the Central coast region. |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
There have been surveys in all parts of the province
but not all areas within those regions have been surveyed. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Partially
The amount of information around estuaries is
generally higher than that for other areas. The inventories
for bird colonies have been fairly consistent throughout the
province. |
| Other comments: |
The database only
shows where concentrations of marine birds have been observed.
There are many areas of the province with few or no surveys
or surveys that are over 20 years old. |
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Doug Janz
(250) 751-3217
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
In Johnstone Strait and the Central coast regions,
the inventory identifies the relative density of Bald eagles nests
along the B.C. coast. In the Strait of Georgia and the west coast
of Vancouver Island the relative abundance of Bald eagles was
mapped based on the concensus of regional experts. The North Coast
and Queen Charlotte Islands regions are currently being mapped
in a manner similar to that done in Johnstone Strait and the Central
Coast regions.
Bald eagles are found throughout the province, mostly
near the water. Eagles are found on the coast all year. In spring
bald eagles move back to their nest sites in mid-to-late February.
In summer, aggregations occur only along the coast where "herring
ball" and surface-feeding fishes attract both breeding and
non-breeding eagles. Eagles also concentrate during the spring
in areas of significant herring spawn and in the fall and winter
eagles move into estuaries and rivers to feed on spent carcasses
of spawning salmon.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Bald eagles are generally surveyed by the Ministry
of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP) during the late spring-early
summer while they are nesting. The surveys are made using either
fixed wing aircraft or helicopters flying low along the coast.
When a nest is sighted the observers fly around until they determnine
if it is occupied or not. Nests in the Strait of Georgia are survyed
most years; areas in more remote areas are survyed less frequently
or not at all.
While there has been considerable survey effort
on the B.C. coast directed towards mapping the location of Bald
eagle nest sites, outside of the breeding season there have been
no systematic surveys of bald eagle abundance or distribution
in the study area. Midwinter bald eagle surveys have been organized
by MELP however the surveys are dependent on volunteers and the
coverage outside of the Straits of Georgia is poor.
In the Johnstone Strait and north coast regions,
the point locations of occupied eagles nests were converted to
maps of nest density (#/km²) in areas where the coast had
all been survyed. In areas where only a few surveyes had been
made, the coast was divided into areas of similar eagle “habitat”
and the desities in the areas which had been surveyed were applied
to all areas of similar habitat.
In the Strait of Georgia and the West Coast of Vancouver
Island regions experts were asked to identify the relative abundance
of Bald eagles in defined regions of the coast which were thought
to have relatively homogeneous concentrations of birds. The coastal
habitat type predominant in the area was also taken into consideration
in assigning the abundance of the eagles to that area.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province |
| Date inventory
completed |
1994-1996 |
| Collection scale |
1:20,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
Bald eagle nests |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Where are the areas where Bald eagle nests tend
to be concentrated in the region?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- Is there a Bald eagle nest present at this site?
- How many Bald eagles are there in the region?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes
Where they exist the surveys are fairly current.
Eagles often have more than one nest site in their territories
and do not always use the same site each year. |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Partially
In areas where there have not been Bald eagle
surveys the density of nests has been extrapolated. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Partially
A region may include areas where the density of
eagle nests has been determined from actual nest surveys and
areas where the density is only estimated. The Straits of Georgia
and West Coast of Vancouver Island regions were assessed differently
from the other regions. |
| Other comments: |
|
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The points constituting the locations of marine
industrial sites have been mapped and the type of activity at
that site noted. Activities include, timber mills and plants,
fish processing plants, logging operations, log dumps, and booming
sites. Information on the size of the industrial operation was
not included.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Data was collected from a variety of sources and
plotted onto CHS charts and digitized into a GIS map. Sources
included local offices of the Ministry of Forests, the Land Administration
Section of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and the
Tourism Resource Inventories maintained by the Ministry of Small
Business, Tourism and Culture. A few additional sites were identified
from the CHS charts and sailing directions. Data from these two
latter sources may be dated.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province |
| Date inventory
completed |
1994-1996 |
| Collection scale |
1:40,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
Sites locations |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Where are industrial sites in the region?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- What is the size of a local marine industrial
operation?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes
The data as been recently compiled however some
of the source data may be outdated |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Yes
The information for the North Coast and Queen
Charlotte Islands regions is currently being compiled. |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Partially
The amount of information maintained by local
MOF offices varied considerably. |
| Other comments: |
|
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1. CONTACT AGENCY
Corporate Information Services, Carol Ogborne ,
(250) 356-6998
BC Ferry Corporation, Planning Dept., Ross Harris
2. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTORY
The inventory maps the location of BC Ferry terminals,
major ferry wharves and official BC ferry routes. All terminals
were mapped as points with information on the name of the location
and associated number of berths. Wharves were mapped as lines
showing their location and length and official routes were mapped
with the associated traffic volumes. Traffic volumes included
information on the number of passengers, buses, trucks, overheight
vehicles and underheight vehicles for the last fiscal year. The
number of passengers was broken down to the number by month. Traffic
was not available for all routes. As traffic is assigned to a
route it does not provide an indication of the traffic volume
at an individual berth.
3. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
The locations of ferry routes, berths and wharves
was taken from 1:50,000 NTS maps and/or CHS charts. Operational
data was supplied by BC Ferry Corporation and linked to the berths
or routes in the GIS.
4. DATA DESCRIPTION |
| Coverage |
Entire province |
| Date inventory
completed |
1994-1996 |
| Collection scale |
1:40,000 to 1:50,000 |
| Presentation scale |
1:40,000 |
| Data collection
units |
lines representing
routes or wharves or points representing berths. |
| Digital format
of maps |
ArcInfo |
5. APPLICATION IN LRMP PROCESS
The inventory could help answer the following specific
questions:
- Which ferry routes have the greatest numbers
of people traveling them?
- Where are the ferry terminals and routes?
The inventory could not help answer the following
specific questions:
- How many ferries pass through a region in a
given year?
- How many ferries travel a certain route?
6. INVENTORY RELIABILITY FOR LRMP |
| Scale: Is
the inventory an appropriate scale for LRMPs? |
Yes |
| Age of inventory:
Are inventories up to date? |
Yes |
| Data coverage:
Are data available for entire land base? |
Yes
A few routes lack information on the volume of
use |
| Data consistency:
Are data comparable across the sub-region land base? |
Yes |
| Other comments: |
|
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