Bay d'Espoir is located on the south coast of Newfoundland, Canada, and is part of Miawpukek First Nation’s Traditional territory. It is the deepest fjord on the island (~800 m) and is characterised as a warm-water fjord as bottom temperatures range from 5-7°C.  

 

This project aims to address the knowledge gap regarding the fauna, with a particular focus on cold-water corals, inhabiting Bay d’Espoir to build a baseline ecological knowledge. Using over 100 seafloor videos obtained from drop camera surveys we identify and quantify the species' composition and diversity, and examine the environmental drivers responsible for their spatial distribution.

This research aims to identify and map the various habitats found in Bay d’Espoir and document the species associated with them. It also seeks to map the distribution of cold-water corals throughout the bay. Ultimately, this work will establish a baseline understanding of existing habitats and highlight areas of importance for management decisions by Miawpukek First Nations to support the continued sustainable use of the bay.

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