Project Baseline Saanich Inlet (McKenzie Bight)

Description

The McKenzie Bight station was set-up to monitor two Cloud Sponges (Aphrocallistes vastus) and adjacent reef zone in 32 m of water in Saanich Inlet. Cloud sponges are generally a deep water animal found only in the northern Pacific Ocean. Numerous cloud sponge reefs are located just beyond recreational dive limits (30-40 m deep) in Saanich Inlet, a deep fjord adjacent to the city of Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Cloud sponges and other closely related species of glass sponge are delicate creatures and can easily be damaged by human activities, particularly commercial and sport fishing. Project Baseline is worldwide effort by Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) to establish a library of baseline measurements in an effort to document and protect our natural environments. These citizen science projects are managed and maintained by local divers of all abilities in collaboration with professional researchers who share a passion for marine conservation, education and exploration.