PLACENTIA BAY, N.L. – The Marine Institute’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research (CFER) and the Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador’s Green Team are joining forces this week.
Together they will be working to restore eelgrass habitat at targeted sites in Placentia Bay.
Underwater eelgrass beds are important for a variety of marine species, including lobster, scallop, cod and salmonids. Eelgrass habitat has been in decline in recent years.
CFER research scientist Arnault Le Bris and Green Team lead Rachel Artuso will be taking part in this week’s efforts.
CFER technicians, graduate students and work-term students, the Department of Ocean Sciences’ scientific dive team, other Green Team members, and staff from ACAP Humber Arm will also be involved.
CFER is leading a $4.7-million, five-year project to restore eelgrass and create new fish habitat in Placentia Bay.
The project is supported by the federal government’s Coastal Restoration Fund, which is part of the Oceans Protection Plan launched in 2016.
