Earth:British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program

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Short description: Water temperature and salinity monitoring program
British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program is located in British Columbia
Amphitrite point
Amphitrite point
Departure Bay
Departure Bay
Race Rocks
Race Rocks
Nootka
Nootka
Kains Island
Kains Island
Entrance Island
Entrance Island
Langara Point
Langara Point
Pine Island
Pine Island
McInnes Island
McInnes Island
Bonilla Island
Bonilla Island
Chrome Island
Chrome Island
Egg Island
Egg Island
Lightstations part of the British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program.

The British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program is a sea surface temperature and salinity monitoring program on the Canadian coast of the northeast Pacific Ocean.[1] The program is administered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and regroups 12 lighthouse stations in British Columbia. Most lighthouses are staffed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but some have independent contractors instead.[2]

The practice of recording ocean water temperature and salinity levels in the area was initiated in 1914 at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. Data is collected daily around the time of the daytime high tide. The methodology of the sampling was originally designed by oceanographer John P. Tully, and was never modified in order to maintain the homogeneity of the data. The program expanded to 12 stations in the 1930s. Over time, more stations joined the programs while others stopped reporting. Currently, twelve stations remain in the program.[3][4]

Data from the Amphitrite point and Kains island lightstations, which started reporting in the mid-1930s, show an increase in coastal water temperatures of 0.08 °C per decade. On the other hand, data from the Entrance Island station, which started reporting around the same time, show an increase in coastal water temperatures of 0.15°C per decade. These trends are a result of anthropogenic climate change.[5]

The stations currently being monitored as part of the program are:[3]

Lightstation / location Active since
Amphitrite point lightstation 1934
Bonilla island lightstation 1960
Chrome island lightstation 1961
Departure bay (PBS) 1914
Egg island lightstation 1970
Entrance island lightstation 1936
Kains island lightstation 1935
Langara point lightstation 1936
Mcinnes island lightstation 1954
Nootka point lightstation 1934
Pine island lightstation 1937
Race Rocks Light 1921

See also

  • Oceanography
  • CCGS John P. Tully
  • List of lighthouses in British Columbia

References