Plankton and Nearshore fish

This research component looked at the distributions and abundance of plankton and nearshore fish in St. Paul's Inlet. Plankton at the base of the food chain, though low in diversity in western Newfoundland, likely sustains larval fish. We worked with harvesters in St. Paul's Inlet to assess zooplankton populations along the inlet via vertical and horizontal net tows. We measured water temperature, salinity, and turbidity as they relate to possible separate regions in the Inlet. In addition, we assessed freshwater drainage and zooplankton drift into the upper inlet region by monitoring discharge of major stream inflows.

To complement the plankton study, we assessed species composition of nearshore fish fauna using beach seines, minnow traps and multi-mesh gill nets. We then compared our findings with studies of fish assemblages from Bonne Bay and other regional estuarine systems.

From our research we have developed a species list for St. Paul's zooplankton and have updated a species list for St. Paul's nearshore fish fauna.

Researchers and Partners

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