Research Opportunities
We are currently accepting applications to base research out of Salmon Coast Field Station. See Station User Fees for pricing information. For guidelines on how to apply, refer to the Research Application Process (see right) and please don’t hesitate to contact info@salmoncoast.org for more information.
If you do not have a research project of your own but would like to volunteer to participate in research at the station, please refer to our Volunteer Opportunities section.
Visit our Ongoing Projects, Completed Projects, and Publications sections to get an idea of the type of research we have supported in the past and are currently supporting. Don't feel limited to these topics, however - we are very open to new research ideas!
Suggested Topics for Research
Salmon Coast Field Station welcomes research applications on any topic. We are especially interested in supporting research on regional management issues, and research that helps protect the local ecological and social communities within the Broughton Archipelago.
Background: The Broughton Archipelago is one of the most diverse coastal marine environments in BC and is host to a rich salmon-based food web. It also faces serious environmental threats. The ecology, management, and restoration of this region offer rich and challenging research opportunities.
In addition to being well situated for the study of the early marine ecology of pacific salmon, researchers based out of Salmon Coast can also access the flora and fauna of nearby temperate rainforests, subalpine meadows, wetlands, estuaries, surge channels and lagoons, rocky intertidal zones, and eelgrass beds. There is also scope for ethnobotanical and archeological work in the Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwa-mish traditional territory.
Here are a few samples of the many topics that interest us.
Impacts of resource extraction. Aquaculture has been developing regionally since 1986 and logging has been a major industry in the area since the 1950s. Some study themes regarding the impacts of resource extraction include:
- non-target effects of farm drugs
- effects of nutrient loading on benthic and planktonic assemblages
- effects of copper-treated equipment on all taxa, including sea birds
- effects of farm pathogens on surrounding fish populations
- stream assessments and restoration
- erosion and landslides
Population declines & increases. Some examples regarding this study theme include:
- The decline of steelhead populations.
- The decline of herring populations.
- The increase of sandlance populations.
- The increase of pilchard populations.
Research Application Process
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SCFS is currently accepting applications from prospective researchers. If you are interested in applying, please follow the steps below. We look forward to hearing from you.
- Read through our website for background information about SCFS. Website sections of special interest to prospective researchers include Facilities and Resources, User Guidelines, Travel Information, Packing List, and FAQ's. Contact the Station Coordinators at info@salmoncoast.org if you have further questions.
- Complete a Research Application Form and submit it via email or mail. (See "Contact Us" page for mailing address)
- Once the Directors have approved your research application, complete a Liability Waiver Form and Emergency Information Form for each crew member and send them to the Station Coordinators at least two weeks before arrival.
- When you arrive, you will be required to sign a User Agreement Form stating that you have read and agree to the policies outlined in our User Handbook and Emergency and Safety Documents - feel free to read them ahead of time and even fill out the User Agreement Form.
- Come on over!