Marine Wildlife
Fish, Shellfish and Invertebrates
Tidal Park and Port Moody Arm are home to many species of fish, shellfish and invertebrates. In 2010/11, the City partnered with a number of organizations to determine what species of fish use these nearshore areas and to enhance current knowledge of the area. The What Swims Beneath Project found 18 species of fish through sampling work done between May and August 2010. Project partners included Burke Mountain Naturalists, Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program, Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society, the City of Port Moody, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Wildlife Foundation, Port Metro Vancouver, Port Moody Ecological Society, and the Vancouver Aquarium.
To protect marine species and human health, the following harvesting regulations are in effect:
- Burrard Inlet (Area 28) is closed for bivalve shellfish year-round.
- DFO crab harvesting regulations are in effect year-round. It is illegal to possess female Dungeness or red rock crabs.
- No fishing, casting or hauling nets or other fishing equipment is allowed from, or adjacent to, any Park (Bylaw No. 3321)
Marine Birds
Port Moody Arm is part of the English Bay, Burrard Inlet, and Howe Sound Important Bird Area (IBA). IBAs are sites of international significance for the conservation of birds and biodiversity. The English Bay, Burrard Inlet, and Howe Sound IBA supports globally significant numbers of western grebe, Barrow’s goldeneye, and surf scoter, and nationally significant numbers of great blue heron. Port Moody Arm also supports purple martin and osprey. Both have nested on pilings off Rocky Point Park since 1994.
