Explore Hornby’s Resident Light Trap!
Saturday, June 3rd — Thursday, June 8th — Saturday, June 10th 2023
Date(s): June 3rd, 8th, and 10th 2023
Time: 9:15 am — 10:15 am
Location: Ford Cove Marina
Meeting Point: Lifejacket station at the top of the ramp on the causeway
CHI, Hornby Island Diving, and the Natural History Centre would like to commemorate World Ocean Week by inviting you to explore Hornby Island’s resident light trap!
Sentinels of Change is a new initiative on Hornby run by the Hakai Institute as part of a decade-long community-centered initiative investigating patterns of invertebrate biodiversity, change, and resilience across the Salish Sea.
As part of the "Sentinels of Change" citizen science project, this initiative made its debut on Hornby Island in 2022, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Amanda Zielinski from Hornby Island Diving Ltd. Volunteers from Conservancy Hornby Island and the Hornby Island Natural History Centre, as well as the Grade 5-7 class from Hornby Island Community School, played a crucial role in monitoring the light trap at Ford Cove Marina.
This project focuses on tracking the movement of marine invertebrates, specifically Dungeness crab. These crabs go through different stages of life, including a larval stage where they swim in the ocean before settling on the seafloor. By using light traps, we can catch and monitor the last larval stage of the crabs, called Dungeness megalopae. These traps take advantage of the fact that many marine larvae, including crabs, are attracted to light. Understanding how these young crabs disperse and where they go is important for maintaining healthy populations. It can help predict the number of adult crabs in the future.
From April to September, the trap is diligently monitored, capturing valuable insights into the Salish Sea's marine ecosystem. Our observations range from Dungeness crab larvae to a multitude of other fascinating species.
Here on Hornby Island, we are proudly part of a network of 25 communities participating in monitoring efforts throughout the Salish Sea, showcasing our collective commitment to understanding and protecting this invaluable ecosystem.
Come witness the innovative work of the light trap project, discover the diverse marine life found in the Salish Sea, and learn about the vital role citizen science plays in conservation efforts.
📢 Event Details:
Date(s): June 3rd, 8th, and 10th 2023
Time: 9:15 am — 10:15 am
Location: Ford Cove Marina
Meeting Point: Lifejacket station at the top of the ramp on the causeway
To learn more about this initiative, you can click here.
If you have any questions about the event, you can email Bree at chihornby@gmail.com.