Juvenile salmonid use of habitats altered by a coal port in the Fraser river estuary, British Columbia

Abstract

Juvenile chinook, chum, and pink used habitats modified by a coal port at the Fraser estuary in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Recent construction for expansion of the port has obliterated feeding areas, invertebrate communities, and possibly herring habitat from the local production system. Further studies are required to document recolonization of disrupted habitats and to investigate if present food webs are similar to those before construction. Juvenile salmon may be diverted by causeways and terminals and this also requires study.