Nearshore Fish Habitat Inventory

Fisheries and Oceans Canada defines fish habitat as all areas that fish depend on directly or indirectly throughout their life stages. It includes spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas. The nearshore of Severn Sound is a dynamic system, with substrate, aquatic vegetation community composition and water levels changing over time.

The purpose of SSEA’s Nearshore Fish Habitat Evaluation Project is to inventory fish habitat in selected nearshore areas of Severn Sound and produce a Fish Habitat Management Plan that will provide local planning authorities and review agencies with current information on nearshore habitat conditions. This will allow for greater protection of fish habitat in the context of fluctuating water levels, and identify opportunities for habitat enhancement initiatives.