Rockfish in Howe Sound may soon discover a new reef — in the form of art.
On July 25, Ocean Wise Research installed four clay and concrete sculptures at Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Created by Kwantlen Polytechnic University and UBC students, the structures were lowered with the help of commercial divers.
The art installation is the latest method to ‘recruit' rockfish, a press release said. In Howe Sound, there are 14 species of rockfish, but their population decreased significantly in 1986.
A field research and data assistant, Amanda Weltman said in the press release that rockfish are homebodies.
"We want to see whether this artificial habitat will attract rockfish and encourage them to stay in the area," she said. "Despite the fact that some species are threatened, rockfish are often illegally fished. Since they mature late, we'd like to see whether providing them with habitat specifically designed for them in a place where fishing is banned allows them to live longer, achieve maturity and reproduce in greater numbers."
So why art, if it's just going to be underwater? Weltman said it will engage not only the rockfish species but the human species as well, encouraging them to be curious about rockfish conservation and habitat. The site off Porteau Cove was chosen because it is already a popular spot for divers, who can explore the new sculptures and get even more involved by taking part in a rockfish abundance survey.
The sculptures were born from the imagination of the students, and include a calla lilies-lookalike, one made from a 3D-printer and another looks like coral. The structures will be monitored to see which the rockfish prefer, and may be replicated to use in other conservation areas. Five more of the art sculptures will be installed in private waters, and also monitored.
