This study is concentrated on two eelgrass beds situated in proximity to the communities of Ekuanitshit and Uashat mak Mani-Utenam. One bed is located at the mouth of the Romaine River and the other is in the baie de Sept-Îles where it meets Clet Creek. Inaugurated in 2011, the project is currently ongoing. Monitoring began in 2008 in Sept- Îles and 2009 in the Romaine River as a part of other projects.
These ecosystems are of a great importance to the flora and fauna of the area. Eelgrass itself is considered an Ecologically Significant Species. The American eel and the Atlantic cod, two endangered species, were found to inhabit these beds.
Through monitoring, each site was visited at least twice per year and was documented in detail: general description of the bed, sampling of the eelgrass, physicochemical data compilation and fish inventory. In 2017, a drone flyover of the monitored sites was done to complete data collection.
Financial Partners: Aluminerie Alouette (2014-2015), AMIK (2013-2017), Centre of Expertise on Hydropower Impacts on Fish and Fish Habitat (CHIF) (2011-2013), Cliffs Wabush Mines (2014), CTER (2013), Port of Sept-Îles (2011-2015), Central Arctic Program (2015), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2013-2017)
Partners: Aluminerie Alouette (2011- 2015), Volunteer citizens, Cliffs Wabush Mines (2013), Comité ZIP Côte- Nord du Golfe (2011-2014, 2017), Iron Ore Company of Canada (2014), Conseil régional de l’environnement de la Côte-Nord (2015, 2017), Corporation de Protection de l’Environnement de Sept-Îles (2011, 2013), Créneau Accord Ressources, Sciences et Technologies marines (2012-2013, 2016), Groupe Eau-Nord (2016), Merinov (2015-2016), Parks Canada (2011-…), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2011)
Project Managers: Soazig Le Breton, Claire Pédrot (2012, 2016-2017), Caroline Marcotte (2013-2016), Véronique Nadeau (2011)