Optimization of ecosystem monitoring methods along the north coast of British Columbia, Canada

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Intertidal invertebrates, especially meiofauna (animals retained on a 45 µm sieve but pass through a 1 mmsieve), can be powerful tools to monitor and study marine systems. Changes to meiofauna communities canpotentially alert us of disturbances before human-use species like bivalves (clams, mussels, etc.) and salmonare impacted. Unfortunately we can only use these communities in this way when intertidal communitydynamics are holistically understood. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the optimal methods toassess intertidal invertebrates along the Pacific Coast of Canada. This deficiency is especially prominent alongthe north coast of BC. Given the recently approved Pacific Northwest LNG terminal to be built on Lelu Island,near the mouth of the Skeena River, the Kitsumkalum Development Corporation (Kitsumkalum First Nation) isconcerned that the increased supertanker traffic associated with this LNG terminal will increase the risk ofminor and catastrophic fuel/LNG spills in their traditional territory. Even minor spills near productive bivalvebeaches would have devastating impacts upon the marine ecosystem, bivalve fisheries, and decrease foodsecurity for coastal and First Nations communities. A greater understanding of meiofauna along the north coastof BC will allow for more detailed monitoring, and detection of minor spills early enough to allow forremediation or alteration of human activities. This study will address this knowledge gap by assessing theoptimal taxonomic resolution and sieve size needed to effectively utilize intertidal meiofauna to detectdisturbances. These findings will improve our ability to study and monitor intertidal habitats along both theAtlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada; helping protect coastal ecosystems and commercial bivalve fisheries, aswell as enhancing food security for coastal and First Nation communities.