What\u27s below the surface of the Salish Sea: 35 years of underwater science in Howe Sound.

Howe Sound sits at the crossroads of many stories – a beautiful wild fjord with many species including corals and sponges; an industrial heritage of contamination and depletion combined with continued development pressures; a recreational and tourism destination combined with rapidly developing human settlement; all sitting adjacent to Vancouver and along B.C.’s famous Sea to Sky highway. In this presentation, we discuss the ecological monitoring program carried out by the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre in Howe Sound for over 35 years – the longest continued underwater monitoring program in the Georgia Strait. Diving has occurred several times a week, providing regular observations of changes including early warnings such as sea star wasting syndrome. Partnerships with citizen scientists have complemented data gathering leading to a rich understanding of the ecology of the area as well as a rich community of observers. We will discuss past observations as well as evolving research areas, animated with beautiful imagery of the area