CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – The eelgrass planting program by the city is now complete, adding nearly 400 square metres of new habitat for marine animals.
According to a press release from the city, roughly 3, 600 eelgrass plants were added to an underwater garden near the float plane dock in October at the Campbell River estuary. The planting began after an estuary cleanup by the Tyee Club and city contractors. They removed debris like old tires from the waterway.
Eelgrass is a flowering underwater plant known to be a popular habitat for fish, crabs, and other marine life.
“Over the course of the planting work, crews saw animals already actively using the new plantings,” said Jason Hartley, the city’s capital works manager.
The plants will be monitored over the next five years to ensure the new underwater garden thrives.
The City of Campbell River’s request for larger breakwaters at the Big Rock Boat Ramp required that habitat improvements be made elsewhere to meet Fisheries and Oceans Canada regulations. The eelgrass planting offers habitat compensation for in-water work for the ramp.
