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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 anemones on the seabed based on visual classification of each second of the video imagery as well as subsequent dive survey verification. Anemone distribution is mapped in one of two distribution categories, few to patchy and continuous to dense. There are two groups of anemones mapped, Metridium and Urticina. Metridium or plumose anemones grow on hard surfaces (rock, logs, man-made debris) and commonly occur in dense aggregations or individually dependent on the marine conditions (current, nutrient availability). There are several species of Urticina, some of which bury in soft substrates. |