| description:
|
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 the brown algae Sargassum muticum (or Japanese weed) on the seabed based on visual classification of each second of the video imagery as well as subsequent dive survey verification. Sargassum distribution is mapped in one of two cover categories (sparse to low cover = trace to 25% cover and moderate to dense cover = 25 to 100% cover). Sargassum grows on rocky substrate (cobbles, boulders, and bedrock) at shallow depths (generally less than 5m) in more protected locations of the survey area. Sargassum is an introduced species which was brought to the British Columbia coast with the importation of Japanese oysters. |