Aperçu biophysique et écologique des zones du réseau au large de Haida Gwaii

Abstract

This report and the associated Research Document were co-authored and co-produced with the Council of the Haida Nation. Haida knowledge and language was woven throughout from the Haida Marine Traditional Knowledge Study and the Haida language authorities. This does not represent the totality of Haida knowledge. Throughout the document where possible, names of places and species are provided in two dialects of Haida, X̲aad Kíl and X̲aayda Kil, and English in italics. To differentiate between the two Haida dialects, X̲aad Kíl is in blue text, and X̲aayda Kil is in green text. The Offshore Haida Gwaii Network Zones (OHGNZ) are a group of seven offshore marine zones off Duu Gúusd Daawxuusda the west coast of Haida Gwaii and in Síigee Dixon Entrance in the Pacific Region. Four zones (Zones 505, 504, 503 and 502) are located on the continental slope offshore of Duu Gúusd Daawxuusda and cover a large depth range. Three zones are located in Síigee on the continental shelf and have the shallowest depth distribution (Zones 506, 501 and 500; see Figure 1). Spatial data regarding the oceanography, ecology, species distribution, human use, and projected changes to environmental variables and groundfish distributions with climate change of the OHGNZ were compiled and summarized. The OHGNZ cover areas of steep terrain and transition from shelf to slope to bathyal plain habitat with distinct oceanographic and ecological processes, unique ecosystem features, and biodiverse assemblages of marine species. Species groups and/or species of ecological and cultural conservation importance that occur in the OHGNZ include: corals and sponges, groundfish (including at least 26 K̲ʹats Sgaadang.nga rockfish species), at least 13 marine mammal species, ʹWaahúu Tang.ɢ̲wan Siiga Leatherback Sea Turtle, and at least 36 species of X̲edíit Siigaay x̲idid marine birds. The zones overlap, or are in close proximity to, seven Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs), have strong current and eddy action, overlap with two rocky outcrops (Tsaan K̲waay Learmonth Bank and K̲adlee Celestial Reef), and include the only documented seamount in the Northern Shelf Bioregion. More information on the uniqueness of these zones and projected impacts of climate change are provided in the “Climate Change Impacts” and “Conservation Significance” sections and Table 1 in this report, and the accompanying Research Document3. Knowledge gaps and uncertainties have been identified to the best of the authors’ knowledge to help in prioritizing future research. The OHGNZ were selected as part of the Marine Protected Area Network in the Northern Shelf Bioregion and are ecologically connected to a variety of bathymetric features and marine populations both within and outside of the region through oceanographic processes. Consequently, there are science recommendations herein that may inform future alterations to zone boundaries (e.g., inclusion of entire bathymetric features and ecosystem representativity).