The oldest known kelp, Pterygophora californica, is about 29 years old and looks like an underwater palm tree.

The combined width of forest reserve areas on either side of  “high value fish habitat” streams and rivers is roughly the length of a football field. High value fish habitat also includes productive shellfish areas and estuaries.

In daytime, spirit bears are 30% more efficient than their black-coated relations at catching salmon. At night, black bears have a slight advantage. Scientists speculate that salmon are less wary of a white object above the water than a black one.

Sea cucumbers, particularly their eggs and young larvae, are prey for fish and other marine animals. Approximately 30 species are found on B.C.’s west coast.

The Central Coast is home to the Kermode or spirit bear, which is famous for its distinctive white coat, and a sacred animal to First Nations people.

The giant red sea cucumber is the largest and the only commercially harvested sea cucumber species in B.C. The Central Coast is a significant source of sea cucumbers for B.C.’s commercial fishery.

Sea otter populations have grown dramatically in the Central Coast since their re-introduction to B.C. in the early 1970s.

An adult sea otter pelt contains roughly 100,000 hairs per square centimetre, which is more hair than on an entire adult human head.