Resilient Coasts for Salmon

The Resilient Coasts for Salmon initiative, led by PSF in partnership with the Stewardship Centre for BC and others, has completed a five-year effort (2021-2026) to map shoreline modifications along the east coast of Vancouver Island. The project identifies where coasts remain natural and where they have been altered by hard armouring (such as seawalls and riprap) and overwater structures (including piers and docks). These modifications impact the resilience of our coastlines by disrupting natural coastal processes, contributing to habitat loss, and affecting the behavior and diets of Pacific salmon, among other organisms. Additionally, the initiative has tracked the extent of log accumulation along these shores, as excessive log deposits can scour beaches, alter sediment composition, and smother forage fish spawning habitats.

These data are intended to support researchers, planners, and community members in making informed decisions to promote sustainable coastal development, healthy ecosystems, and resilient shorelines. The complete Resilient Coasts for Salmon dataset, including shoreline modifications, overwater structures, and log accumulation, is available for download in multiple formats below. Users also have the option to access data specific to individual municipalities and districts.

Explore the full project and interactive map on the Resilient Coasts for Salmon Atlas.