Eastern shore Islands: A coastal gem
Transcript
- Hi, my name is Ryan Stanley.
- I am a research scientist at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography.
- Over the past several years my research has brought me to many places in Atlantic Canada, including the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia.
- The Eastern Shore Islands is a unique archipelago, east of Halifax.
- These islands create a real diversity of habitats, and associated with this variety of habitats is a diversity of organisms.
- It’s a really exciting place to do research.
- Obviously, we have the classic character – the American lobster.
- Quite a productive fishery there.
- Also, associated with these islands are habitats for juvenile fish.
- Things like eel grass beds, and kelp.
- Eel grass is a unique ecosystem.
- It creates this natural complexity.
- Usually juvenile fish use these habitats for protection.
- It creates a variety of food sources,
- And really a diversity of organisms associated with this amazing habitat, makes a really important area for conservation.
- So, we know that we have juvenile salmon, which use these inshore areas.
- We also have thriving populations of sand lance.
- There are juvenile cod, sculpin and really a variety of fish and ground fish species that use this area.
- The habitat and the really highly natural area associated with these islands is also quite important for those really stressed populations of Atlantic salmon.
- So as kids we actually used to go camping in the Eastern shore with my family,
- And as a teenager I would rent kayaks and go kayaking around the islands,
- And even at this younger age I had a real appreciation for the naturalness of this area,
- And I hope it’s something that I’ll be able to bring my own kids to in the future,
- And really get to enjoy all of the things the Eastern shore have to offer.
- Date modified: