The Oceans Surrounding Vancouver Island, Canada
Today’s article will discuss the oceans surrounding Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island, Canada, is an extremely southerly Island belonging to Canada, very close to Washington State. It is the world’s 43rd largest Island, & it belongs to the country of Canada. It is across the Strait of Georgia from the metropolitan area of Vancouver. Its capital is Victoria, which resides on the southern tip of the island, in the administrative district known as the “Capital Regional District”. It has an approximate population of 864,000. The highest elevation on the island is the Golden Hinde Mountain, In the Vancouver Island Ranges. It is approximately 7,201 feet (2,194.865 meters) in height. The island itself is approximately 10.73 Nautical Miles (12.347863 miles or 19.87196 kilometers) from the nearest mainland area, that area being Washington State. The island is famed for its untamed beaches, beautiful rainforests, & fascinating wildlife. The island has a beautiful mountain range that blends in with the coastline, & the temperate rainforests, which creates a unique clash of terrain. Additionally, its proximity to both Washington State, & Canada, makes it so that creatures from both can migrate over from each area quickly. This creates a strange ecological environment, which can attract some of the strangest species. We managed to find approximately 75 of the most prominent marine animal species that live in the Vancouver Island Region. In this article, we will discuss the Salinity, Tides, Temperatures, & Marine Geography, of the island, the most prominent ecosystems of the island, The documented marine flora & Fauna, & Finally, & how ocean acidification has affected the island. With that being said, let us delve into the oceans surrounding Vancouver Island.
The Tides, Temperatures, Salinity, Marine Geography, & Basic Information Of The Oceans Surrounding Vancouver Island
The island is located in the lower area of the British Columbia province, in Canada. It is extremely close to the American-Canadian Border, namely the state of Washington. It is in the Pacific Ocean. The salinity of Vancouver Island has been measured, but we cannot find the exact number available to the public domain. What we can tell, is that the salinity does not differ from the surrounding Pacific areas, & there is no gradient. Additionally, there are no known large salt deposits that would affect the salinity. There are no circumstances that would cause the salinity level to change, such as marshes. Vancouver Island is safe for swimming, & is known for its rugged beaches & cliffside coasts. Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm whether or not strong riptide events occur in this area. The temperature charts for Vancouver Island can be found on a plethora of websites, a few of which are https://seatemperatures.net, https://seatemperature.info, & https://beach-weather.com. The average yearly water temperature for the coastal waters of Vancouver Island over the last few years has been approximately 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius) & it most likely won’t change by much. At that temperature, it is recommended that one has a 7-millimeter full scuba suit, to stay insulated. The tidal charts can also be found on many websites as but not limited to: https://www.tideschart.com, https://www.tide-forecast.com, https://www.windfinder.com, & finally https://www.tidetime.org. Generally, the tides do not go over 15.5 feet (4.7244 meters) at their highest. The deepest oceanic point within 5 nautical miles of Vancouver Island is 1092.5 feet (332.994 meters) deep. The oceanic floor mainly consists of coral, sand, & occasionally rock. The pollution around the island is very bad the closer you get to Victoria Harbour. Evidence suggests that Victoria Harbour is British Columbia’s most polluted body of water, for various reasons. There are still many unpolluted oceanic areas around Vancouver Island that one can swim in, & generally, pollution is not a threat to swimmers, but it is still dangerous to wildlife. The main pollutant in the water is polychlorinated biphenyl, which is used in coolants. Snorkeling is still very popular on the island & many snorkeling rental sites can be found along the coastline. Eco-tourism is extremely popular on the island, for both the rugged coastline, & the inland ecosystems as well. The most popular beaches tend to be the southern coast of Vancouver Island. These beaches are mainly Chesterman Beach, Saratoga Beach, Cox Bay Beach, French Beach, Schooner Cove, Sombrio Beach, Sandcut Beach, Cope Scott Park, Florencia Bay, & finally Juan De Fuca Park. There is currently 1 marine protected area around Vancouver Island, designated by the Tsawout Indigenous Peoples. It is approximately 155 square kilometers (59.8458 square miles) of land in the Salish Sea, close-by Vancouver Island.
The Most Prominent Marine Ecosystems Of Vancouver Island
Ecosystem No. 1: Fringing Coral Reefs
Despite the cold climate of Vancouver Island, Fringing Coral Reefs are found commonly in the south of the island. These are the most biodiverse marine ecosystems by far on the island. These coral reefs can be found between 10 feet offshore, to miles & miles off the coast. These cold-water corals are made of calcium carbonate, & are hardened. These coral reefs usually are used as breeding grounds, shelters, hunting grounds, & fish nurseries of sorts. These coral reefs are known to support 20% of all marine life around Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, there is currently no data on the various coral species found off the coast of Vancouver Island.
Ecosystem No. 2: Rocky / Sandy Barren Areas
This is the most common ecosystem surrounding the island. This ecosystem largely consists of rock formations, as well as compacted sand. These ecosystems are largely offshore, & not in the intertidal zones. These ecosystems are used as hunting, spawning, and shelter grounds. This specific kind of ecosystem is found all around the island. These areas are found between 25 to 300 feet deep.
The Documented Marine Flora Of Vancouver Island
The main marine species of Seagrass found around Vancouver Island is Zostera Marina, though Zostera Japonica is also found in the area. Zostera Japonica has only been recently introduced, & it is not native to the environment. Zostera Marina is native to the environment, & has had more time to develop colonies than Zostera Japonica. There are numerous macro algae species found around the island, whose names are as follows: Nereocystis Luetkaena (Bull Kelp), Fucus Distichus (Pacific Rockweed), Ulva Lactuca (Sea Lettuce), Saccharina Groenlandica (Split Kelp), Laminaria Saccharina (Sugar Kelp), & finally Wire Weed (Sargassum muticum). All of these plants are found within 20 nautical miles of the islands. Additionally, the majority of these plants were found in intertidal zones. None of these species are endemic to Vancouver Island, & can be found in many other places.
The Documented Marine Fauna Of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is not very biodiverse, but it still does have a flourishing marine population & general ecosystem. The reason for this is the climate, food options, & the amazing seagrass colonies. Pollution is high in certain areas, but most other areas are advancing. Additionally, efforts to maintain the seagrass colonies are underway & are funded. This makes the island more attractive to marine creatures. Currently, there are no known endemic marine creatures, that are incredibly hard to track, so they may just be undiscovered. Since Vancouver Island is a popular migrational destination, many marine populations do not live there year-round, & will instead migrate.
Now, for this article, we will not include nudibranchs, sea slugs, sea snails, planktons, lichens, limpets, sea worms, or sea urchins, as there are just too many of them. We will also not be counting waterfowl, or the Vancouver Island Coastal Sea Wolf, as neither lives primarily in the ocean. The list of the most prominent marine creatures of Vancouver Island are as follows: Megaptera Novaeangliae (Humpback Whale), Esrichtius Robustus (Pacific Grey Whale), Balaenoptera Acutorostrata (Minke Whale), Phocoenoids Dalli (Dall’s Porpoise), Phocoena Phocoena (Harbour Porpoise), Orcinus Orca (Orca / Killer Whale), Lagenorhynchus obliquidens (Pacific White Toothed Whale), Zalophus Californianus (California Sea Lion), Mirounga angustirostris (Elephant Seal), Phoca Vitulina (Pacific Harbour Seal), Hemigrapsus Nudus (Purple Shore Crab), Hemigrapsus Oregonensis (Green Shore Crab), Petrolisthes Eriomerus (Flattop Crab), Petrolisthes Cinctipes (Smooth Porcelain Crab), Lophopanopeus Bellus (Black-clawed Crab), Cancer Productus (Red Rock Crab), Cancer Oregonensis (Pygmy Rock Crab), Pugettia Producta (Kelp Crab), Oregonia Gracilis (Graceful Decorator Crab), Telmessus Cheiragonus (Helmet Crab), Hapalogaster Mertensii (Hairy Crab), Cancer Magister (Dungeness Crab), Phyllolithodes Papillosus (Heart Crab), Pandalus Platyceros (Pacific Prawn), Pandalus Hyposinotus (Humpback Shrimp), Pandalus Danae (Coonstripe Shrimp), Elassochirus Tenuimanus (Widehand Hermit), Pagarus Beringanus (Bering Hermit), Pagarus Samuelis (Blueband Hermit), Cyancea Capillata (Lions Mane Jellyfish), Aequorea Victoria (Many Ribbed Medusa), Aurelia Labiata (Moon Jellyfish), Venerupis Philippinarum (Manilla Clam), Protothaca Staminea (Pacific Littleneck Clam), Nuttallia Obscurata (Varnish Clam), Saxidomus Gigantea (Washington Butter Clam), Crassadoma Gigantea(Giant Rock Scallop), Crassotrea Gigas (Giant Pacific Oyster), Macoma Nasuta (Bent-nosed Macoma), Entodesma Navicula (Northwest Ugly Clam), Gari Californica (California Sunset Clam), Penitella Penita (Flat Tipped Piddock), Mytilus Californianus (California Mussel), Siliqua Patula (Pacific Razor Clam), Tellina Bodegensis (Bodega Tellin), Hatilotis Kamtschatkana (Northern Abalone), Nucella Lamellosa (Wrinkled Dogwrinkle), Nucella Ostrina (Northern Striped Dogwrinkle), Ceratostoma Foliatum (Leafy Hornmouth), Searlisia Dira (Direwhelk), Tegula Funebralis (Black Turban), Littorina Scutulata (Checkered Periwinkle), Olivella Biplicata (Purple Olive), Olivella Pedroana (Zigzag Olive), Nassarius Fossatus (Giant Western Nassa), Octopus Dofleini (Giant Pacific Octopus), Artedius Harringtoni (Scalyhead Sculpin), Ophiodon Elongatus (Lingcod), Platichthys Stellatus (Starry Flounder), Hippoglossus Stenolepis (Halibut), Liparis Dennyi (Marbled Snailfish), Liparis Pulchellus (Showy Snailfish), Liparis Florae (Tidepool Snailfish), Liparis Callyodon (Spotted Snailfish), Hydrolagus Collilei (Ratfish), Embiotoca Lateralis (Striped Seaperch), Sebastes Nebulosis (China Rockfish), Sebastes Melanops (Black Rockfish), Sebastes Miniatus (Vermilion Rockfish), Sebastes Ruberrimus (Yelloweye Rockfish), Sebastes Nigrocintus (Tiger Rockfish), Gobiesox Maeandricus (Flathead Clingfish), & finally, Squalus Acanthias (Spiny Dogfish).
How Ocean Acidification Has Affected Vancouver Island
First off, Ocean acidification is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased, largely because of human-caused burning of fossil fuels, and deforestation, for the past 150 years. When carbon dioxide contacts sea water, it forms carbonic acid. Carbonic acid gives off positive H+ ions, which causes increased oceanic H+ concentrations & decreased oceanic Ph. To be clear, ocean acidification is an entirely separate phenomenon from higher oceanic temperatures, & though they have similar effects & characteristics, they are not one in the same. This largely affects coral reefs, as it causes them to bleach. Now, there is no evidence that ocean acidification has affected the Vancouver Island coral ecosystems, but there is evidence that higher oceanic temperatures have. Due to rising oceanic temperatures, the coral ecosystems have decreased by nearly half. If this restoration is not completed, then coral reefs will continue to be depleted.
Directories / Credits
Citation No. 1: “New data suggests Victoria Harbour is B.C. coast's dirtiest body of water”, Written by Unknown, & Published on February 7th, 2018. Published by CTV News. Retrieval Date: August 18th, 2023.
Citation No. 2: “Coral”, Written by Bud, Published by at an Unknown Date. Published by GoHiking. Retrieval Date: August 18th, 2023.
Citation No. 3: “Eelgrass & Kelp Mapping & Monitoring”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES). Retrieval Date: August 18th, 2023.
Citation No. 4: “Algae”, Written by Bud, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by GoHiking. Retrieval Date: August 18th, 2023.
Citation No. 5: “Welcome to the Salish Sea!”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Eagle Wing Tours. Retrieval Date: August 18th, 2023.
Citation No. 6: “The North Island Explorer’s Guide to Vancouver Island’s Marine Life”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the North Island Explorer.
Strategic Partnerships
Reel Guppy Outdoors
SharkedSkooler
Marine Enthusiasts Podcast
StemScribe
Our Loyal Patrons
Ms. Paloma Rodriguez Ochoa
Comments