Join the Raincoast Education Society in exploring the region’s intertidal eelgrass meadows during their Beach Seine events this summer!
Intertidal eelgrass meadows, like those visible in Tofino’s harbor, are extremely important coastal ecosystems. Not only are they home to numerous invertebrates including nudibranchs, crabs, and shrimp, but they also play a crucial role in supporting many of the region’s fish and bird populations. This is your chance to learn how!
Most of us have probably encountered eelgrass – from spending hours in the ocean alongside these green ribbons, or exploring eelgrass-filled mudflats. Eelgrass meadows create habitat for a myriad of coastal species and act as a highly productive ecosystem. And it’s thanks to eelgrass that today’s halibut fish fry or tonight’s salmon dinner is possible. The meadows form a buffer in the water that softens the impact of waves and currents, reducing coastal erosion and creating a calm habitat. This provides a nursery for many juvenile fish, including rockfish, salmon and halibut, and also provides an ideal habitat for herring to spawn. These fish are preyed upon by waterfowl such as: Great Blue Heron, migrating shorebirds and ducks. In addition, eelgrass blades act as a substrate for diatoms and other algae, which get grazed upon by many eelgrass-dwelling invertebrates such as nudibranchs, crabs and shrimp.
At the Beach Seine events, you will have the opportunity to help pull the seine up onto the beach and investigate species caught inside. Raincoast Education Society staff will teach you how to handle the animals caught with care, and all species will be gently returned to their habitat.
These interactive opportunities are FREE, all-ages events. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join! Events will run rain or shine, and gumboots are recommended.
