Bay D’Espoir Expedition 2024, 14th to the 17th of June 2024: MV Polar Prince, Cruise ID: PP20240614

Fjords are complex geological features consisting of coastal incisions in which offshore deep-water species can establish (1). Benthic habitat complexity in fjords is often linked to the complex and highly sloped rocky topography interacting with currents and gradients in water column properties (e.g., temperature, salinity, and oxygenation) (2). Due to this complexity, fjord walls are known to support communities of suspension and filter feeders, including cold-water corals and other vulnerable, slow-growing taxa (3, 4). However, fjord habitats are often situated close to human activity and risk exposure to anthropogenic influence. For example, the Miawpukek First Nation traditional territory of Bay d'Espoir is the deepest fjord on the south coast of Newfoundland (5). Due to numerous sheltered bays and inlets, Bay d'Espoir offers optimal conditions for finfish cages and suspended shellfish gear culture, and planning continues for the expansion of aquaculture activities (6), Bay d'Espoir is also the location of complex and highly sloped rocky habitats, where sea anemones, sponges, stalked barnacles and the giant file clam Acesta cryptadelphe were observed (7). Though these observations were made over 30 years ago, very little research has taken place to understand the benthic community structure in this location. Habitat-forming cold-water coral species, Paragorgia arborea, has also been reported in the area (6), along with the sea pen Pennatula aculeata in the bottom of the Bay (8). Observations such as these indicate vulnerable benthic taxa could be more widespread than previously known. To support marine spatial management, particularly the coastal and fjord systems in around Newfoundland and Labrador where there is little to no baseline data, it is important to understand the distribution of ecologically important habitats. Efforts to address this knowledge gap aligns with the objectives set in the Fortune Bay coastal Baseline Program The primary objectives of this research are: Collect baseline data towards developing new Fortune Bay Coastal Environmental Baseline Program within the South Coast Fjords of Newfoundland. Strengthen existing collaborations between the Department of Fishery and Oceans (DFO), MI (Marine Institute) and Miawpukek First Nation (MFN) by co-conducting research and outreach with youth onboard the vessel.