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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 red sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) on the seabed based on visual classification of each second of the video imagery as well as subsequent dive survey verification. Red sea urchin distribution is mapped in one of two distribution categories, few to patchy and continuous to dense. These urchins are found on rocky substrate in the intertidal zone to deeper subtidal depths. Urchins graze on both attached and drift algae and often create "urchin barrens" which become devoid of marine vegetation. |