Ecological Value | Economic Value | Cultural Value
What makes the Big Eddy so productive? | How has its importance been recognized?

Ecological Value

The diversity of habitats and convergence of ocean currents accounts for Big EddyÕs rich biodiversity. Thousands of species reside or migrate through the region, including important populations of fish, seabirds, turtles, whales, sea lions, seals, and bottom-dwelling communities and species, including corals.

Seabirds

The bird community in this region is the most diverse in the North Pacific. Research conducted by University of Victoria scientists shows that almost twice as many seabirds are found on the shelf compared to the nearshore region. The large concentrations of seabirds foraging in Big EddyÕs waters include common murre, rhinorceros auklet and tufted puffins.

Marine Mammals

Over 20 species of marine mammals use these waters. More than 15 species of whales, including humpbacks, fins, grey, and orcas, are found here. Populations of many whales are down from their original numbers Ñ a legacy of heavy commercial whaling in the early 1900s.

Pinnipeds

Elephant seals, harbour seals, sea lions and sea otters inhabit this area. Many of these pinnipeds move through Big Eddy seasonally, on their way to and from the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound. Sea otters were re-introduced to the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) in 1969-1970 and there are now over 600 in Washington State populations. In BC the translocation of sea otters to the Bunsby Islands south of Brooks Peninsula has also been successful with approximately 2000 animals now on the west side of Vancouver Island, almost reaching to Tofino today.

Fish

Important fish species found in the Big Eddy region include salmon, herring, hake, eulachon, mackerel and sardine. Pacific halibut and Dover sole are also found here, along with several species of rockfish, which are associated with the high relief areas of the region.

Benthic Communities

Limited studies of sea floor communities have continued to identify new species. Glass sponges and black and gorgonian corals are found along the continental slope, but there are concerns about them being damaged by trawling in the region.

Economic Value

Big Eddy is one of North AmericaÕs most important recreational and commercial fishing grounds, second only to the Georges Bank in the east coast in terms of tons per square kilometer.

It is also one of the largest convergence zones for marine traffic, with ships passing through Big Eddy to Vancouver and Seattle.

It has important tourism and recreation values. Tofino receives more than one million visitors per year. The Olympic Peninsula attracts over 3 million visitors each year.

There are also developing industries, such as marine technology, aquaculture, energy production and scientific research.

Social Value

The Nuu Chah Nulth First Nations and the Makah Tribe, as well as other aboriginal groups have lived along Big EddyÕs coast for thousands of years. They are recognized as having had one of the most highly developed traditional trading and governance systems on the west coast of North America.

These rich native cultures have an intimate and spiritual connection to Big EddyÕs productive ecosystem. The ocean was and continues to be an important part of their traditional culture.

The coast and ocean also shapes the lifestyle and culture of other coastal communities in British Columbia and Washington.

What makes Big Eddy so productive?

A number of factors make Big Eddy one of the most productive ecosystems on the West Coast:

• It is located within a coastal upwelling zone, where nutrient-rich deep waters are brought to the surface.
• Nutrients are then circulated by the Juan de Fuca Eddy to a range of species and habitats.
• Big Eddy encompasses the northern boundary of many southern species and the southern boundary of many northern species Ð animals living on the outer borders of their habitats are especially vulnerable to disturbance and ecological change.
• Big Eddy is a regular stop off or end point on many migratory paths.
• A range of physical features provide a diverse array of habitats including canyons, shelves, banks, inlets, estuaries, islands and beaches Ð more habitats means more biodiversity.
• Big Eddy receives some of the highest rainfall in North America, causing a lot of nutrient-rich runoff to enter the system.
• This is an area of active water movement and circulation with the Pacific waters funneling to and from the Juan de Fuca and Georgia Straits.

Recognition

The importance of the Big Eddy marine ecosystem has been recognized by many:

• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation and Marine Conservation Biology Institute: A recent report (Marine Priority Conservation Areas: Baja California to the Bering Sea) identifies this transboundary ecosystem as one of the 28 sites of outstanding marine conservation value on the west coast of North America.
• United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary was established as a large multiple-use marine protected area was established in 1994.
• Parks Canada: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve was established in 1970 by Parks Canada, including an important marine component.
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): The Clayoquot Biosphere Reserve set up in 2000 to promote and demonstrating a balance between people and nature in this internationally recognized marine ecosystem.