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A survey of the subtidal physical and biological features of the VEHEAP Harbours area (Victoria and Esquimalt Harbour, Gorge and Portage Inlet and Esquimalt Lagoon) with the intent of mapping the general distribution and position of physical and biological features for both inventory and harbour management purposes. The distribution of piddock clams on the seabed based on visual classification of each second of the video imagery as well as subsequent dive survey verification. Piddock clam distribution is mapped in one of two distribution categories, few to patchy and continuous to dense. The rough piddock, Zirphaea pilsbryi, typically occurs in areas with clay substrate. The characteristic split and ridged siphon easily distinguishes this bivalve from other species. |