Determining spatial and temporal overlap of migratory fishes with areas proposed for in-stream tidal turbine development to inform the tidal power Risk Assessment Program

The lack of scientific data on the potential effects of instream tidal power extraction on migratory fishes is delaying the decision-making process on a technology that shows promise for reducing carbon emissions, and for which Canada could become a global leader in the production of infrastructure. It remains unclear if fishes that occupy Canada’s leading tidal energy test site (Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy [FORCE], in Minas Passage, Nova Scotia) will be negatively affected by turbine installations. The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq/Mi’kmaw Conservation Group (MCG) highly values healthy ecosystems and the environment. It is critical to the MCG that any negative effects of future deployments of in-stream tidal power devices on valued marine species be accurately quantified. The objective of our study is to determine spatial and temporal overlap of fishes with areas scheduled for turbine deployment. We will use fish tracking technology from InnovaSea to determine spatial and temporal overlap of Alewife, Atlantic Salmon, Striped Bass, Spiny Dogfish, American Shad and Atlantic Sturgeon at the test site in Minas Passage, an area scheduled for turbine operations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Stokesbury

Student:

Cameron Solda;Matthew Warner;Elizabeth Bateman

Partner:

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Acadia University