North Island College students are helping keep an eye on the health of coastal kelp forests.
Students in the college’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI) are working with First Nations and the aquaculture industry to research kelp beds, along with the species that live in them. Students go out on the water to do monitoring and mapping, using drones and boats to collect information.
They also start growing kelp on rocks in a laboratory setting, then move them to the ocean to see how they do.
Abby Walker, a second-year NIC student from Campbell River, is pursuing an Associate of Science degree. As a research assistant, she has been “wearing a lot of hats” with CARTI the last couple of years on kelp projects.
“I get to do all sorts of amazing, fun projects around the ocean,” she said. “I have always wanted to work at something in the ocean … It really feels like I’m making a difference.”
As an example, she got a drone licence last year and is working on the project with the Kwiakah First Nation to map kelp bed locations.
CARTI recently did a project with the Wei Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River to explore the potential for kelp restoration in areas that have been impacted by logging.
For more information about NIC, CARTI, and ongoing work with kelp beds, visit the college’s website.
