The V3H.com - Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam

Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini announced a $50,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) on February 17. The EDF is used in support of environmental legislation, helping to ensure that polluters take responsibility for their actions. Port Moody’s grant will be used for the City’s “What Swims Beneath” project.

The grant will allow the City to work with community partners to conduct fish inventories within the Port Moody Arm of Burrard Inlet. The fish inventory sites are located mainly within Tidal Park and include sub-tidal sites near Old Orchard Park and the tidal channels near Pigeon Cove.

In his announcement from Pigeon Cove Trasolini said, “Burrard Inlet is part of one of Canada’s most productive marine ecosystem and has 190 kilometres of marine foreshore. Port Moody Arm includes Tidal Park, and is recognized for its regional role in maintaining ecological health.” The area is home to numerous species of fish and waterfowl, and is an ideal rearing habitat for juvenile salmon.

In the late 1800s a fish inventory revealed that Burrard Inlet was home to many interesting fish species. Some were the first of their kind to be seen in British Columbia. However, fish inventories have not been updated, resulting in a significant gap in local knowledge of fish species in Port Moody Arm. Port Moody Council is committed to working with the community on inventory projects to better understand local marine ecology. In applying for the grant, the City partnered with Fisheries and Oceans, Port of Metro Vancouver, Pacific Wildlife Foundation, Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society, Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program, Port Moody Ecological Society, Burke Mountain Naturalists and Vancouver Aquarium.

Grant activities will include collecting and analyzing DNA samples, developing a comprehensive public education program, holding a public outreach event at Rocky Point Park and completing and distributing the inventory report.