Oceanographic connectivity among marine protected areas on the north coast of British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

The main objective of our study was to use a three-dimensional oceanographic simulation model to understand connectivity among the proposed Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area (GHNMCA) and 10 other proposed or existing marine protected areas (MPAs) on the north Pacific coast of Canada. The simulations were conducted using passive particles placed at three depths and vertically migrating particles for 30 or 90 days in late winter. Simulated surface particle dispersion was found to be consistent with winter ocean current observations made from analysis of satellite imagery, current mooring, and drifter data. The GHNMCA would contribute to a network of MPAs because it supplies and receives particles from other MPAs in northern British Columbia. Model simulations also indicate that the greatest source of particles to GHNMCA originate from 30-m and not 2-m flows. Finally, the simulated mean daily dispersal rate of 2.0 km·day–1 would allow fish and invertebrates to self-seed northern portions of the GHNMCA in winter. Together, the GHNMCA and other MPAs appear to contribute a large percentage of particles to non-MPA regions in northern Hecate Strait, which may be considered a particle sink in winter.