Research Document - 1999/209

Phase 1 framework for undertaking an ecological assessment of the outer rocky intertidal zone.

By G. Jamieson, R. Lauzier, and G. Gillespie

Abstract

As a result of the Phase 0 review of the biology and fisheries of the goose barnacle (Pollicipes polymerus Sowerby, 1833) (Lauzier 1999a), the issues raised in the Phase 1 paper on sea mussels (Mytilus californianus) (Gillespie 1999) and the concerns expressed by the Invertebrate Subcommittee/Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC), the Resource Management Executive Committee (RMEC) recommended closing the goose barnacle fishery, and not to proceed beyond the harvest of sea mussels for biotoxin monitoring. The goose barnacle fishery was closed by Fisheries Management on May 30, 1999. Any re-opening or development of the goose barnacle fishery and continuation of the biotoxin monitoring using harvested wild sea mussels would depend on the results of an ecological impact assessment and meeting the criteria for a new and developing fishery. This Phase 1 framework for an ecological impact assessment is for consideration by the PSARC Habitat Subcommittee. A Phase 1 stock assessment and management framework was submitted (Lauzier 1999b) to the PSARC Invertebrate Subcommittee. Both documents will be used to provide an overall assessment framework for the potential re-opening and development of the goose barnacle fishery.

Here, we present a proposed research design and recommendations as to how the studies should be integrated with planned stock assessment research. This research document provides a brief history of both the goose barnacle and sea mussel fisheries, plus a literature review of the biology and ecology of both species. Included as well, is a scientific review of disturbances and recoveries in the rocky intertidal zone. Its important to note that considerable information is available from local studies of the goose barnacle, and in particular on impacts of harvesting. These reviews are followed by an approach for an ecosystem assessment of the rocky intertidal, which includes allowing a modest experimental fishery. Such a study should be preparatory to full renewable resource exploitation in this ecosystem. Criteria on which to develop a research design are proposed.