Scientific Activities in Banc-des-Américains

Narrator: The shallows of Banc-des-Américains form a vast biological crossroads where numerous species of fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals converge in an impressive swirl of food abundance

Text on screen: Banc-des Américains Marine Protected Area - The Scientific Activities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Renée Gagné, Senior Biologist, Marine Planning and Conservation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada: The Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area is located offshore, at the eastern end of the Gaspé Peninsula, extending from the tip of Forillon. It covers an area of 1000 square kilometers, which, for comparison, is twice the size of the island of Montreal.

Geneviève Faille, Biologist, Marine Conservation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada: The Banc-des-Américains is located in a unique location where the Gaspé Current transports abundant nutrients and zooplankton, concentrating them in this area, thereby providing a substantial food source for whales, including some endangered species. It is also remarkable for its high biodiversity, encompassing both invertebrates and fish populations.

Narrator: Multiple scientific research activities have demonstrated the unique richness of this ecosystem, prompting both the Canadian and Quebec governments to collaboratively establish the Banc-des-Américains marine protected area.

Geneviève Faille: As part of ecological monitoring, my team is tasked with underwater imaging surveys. The objective of these sea missions is to film the underwater terrain to observe various species and quantify their populations. We employ three different equipment types for underwater imaging. On the Plains, we use a sled towed by the ship, filming forward and capturing photos directly from the seabed. In more rugged habitats, we use a deployed camera. To better sample mobile species such as fish or snow crabs, we use a baited camera system.

Renée Gagné: Two management zones have been established in the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area. The first Zone corresponds to the central area, which is the rocky ridge. It is an environment with high biodiversity and is very fragile. It is, among other reasons, why regulations in this area are more rigorous.

Geneviève Faille: It is a place where you'll find a rocky or mixed substrate, with rocks, pebbles, sand, at depths ranging from 60 meters to twelve meters. Species that attach to rocks, such as red algae, encrusting algae, and anemones, can be found there. Additionally, sea cucumbers, starfish, and a variety of fish can be observed.

We also monitor the Atlantic wolffish, which is a species with a status of special concern. The wolffish is unique; it lives concealed in crevices and burrows found on the top of the ridge of Banc-des-Américains. The best way to observe it is through scuba diving.

At the end of the ridge, there is an impressive cliff over 80 meters high and several hundred meters wide.

This cliff is rocky, so we find species that attach to the rocks, such as anemones, a wide variety of sponge species, and we can also observe other species like starfish.

Renée Gagné: The second zone corresponds to the plains adjacent to the rocky ridge. This sector is considered slightly less fragile, which is why certain activities may be conducted, as long as they align with conservation objectives.

Geneviève Faille: On these plains, the substrate is soft, more like mud, with depths ranging from 60 up to 210 meters. Consequently, different species inhabit this area. Primarily, one can observe brittle stars, soft corals like sea raspberries, as well as snow crabs and various shrimp species. It is also a location where forage species, such as Capelin or herring schools, can be observed.

For comprehensive monitoring, having environmental data is crucial. Therefore, we sample the water column with a CTD, which is a device that provides measurements of temperature, salinity, and depth. This allows us to gain insights into factors like temperature, for instance at the seabed, which could directly impact the species present. Currently, there are over 40 identified indicators to track the conservation objectives of Banc-des-Américains.

Narrator: The monitoring program for Banc-des-Américains includes, among other elements, data from large-scale surveys conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This encompasses a multispecies survey that collects information on the species present on the seabed, a survey specifically focused on snow crab that characterizes each collected crab, an acoustic survey of herring to assess biomass, and real-time monitoring of the marine environment facilitated by an automated oceanographic buoy deployed in the marine protected area. This Viking buoy is also equipped with an acoustic detection system for marine mammals.

Geneviève Faille: It is crucial to establish a monitoring program to assess the condition of our habitats and important species within our marine protected area. It is also essential to track the trends of these species and habitats over time. The monitoring program can additionally help monitor the intensity of activities still occurring within the protected marine area, such as maritime traffic, sea observation activities, and certain fishing activities.

Narrator: The Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area plays a vital role in safeguarding the biological diversity of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. By preserving this zone, we enhance the ability of the ecosystem on Canada's east coast to face today's and tomorrow's environmental challenges.