Community Aquatic Monitoring Program (CAMP)

CAMP – Introduction

The Community Aquatic Monitoring Program (CAMP) offers guidance for community-based groups monitoring the health and marine productivity of their local water ecosystem. Through monitoring protocols with DFO, community groups are maintaining a science-based approach program for health of watersheds throughout the Gulf Region.

CAMP – Specifics

Each spring, community-based environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) collect important data that helps to monitor the present health status of their estuary. Scientific procedures require that the program replicate the sampling regime at each site and estuary location each year. From May through September, community group members and staff sample 6 stations monthly in their designated estuary.

Biological data is collected with beach seines that capture and later release live, small fish and crustaceans. From this, the community groups provide important information, such as:

• identification of fish and crustacean species;
• numbers of fish and crustaceans;
• water temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen;
• general aquatic vegetation profiles;
• sediment samples;
• water samples.

With this information, scientists working with government agencies and universities can undertake nutrient analyses, organic loading assessments, and changes in of the aquatic community structure. With this in hand, identification of cause may be determined and actions put into place to mitigate potential negative impacts.

CAMP – Involvement

CAMP was launched in 2003 as a pilot program. It has proven so successful that by 2011 CAMP coverage extends from northeastern New Brunswick, along the Gulf coast as far as Cheticamp in Nova Scotia and all around Prince Edward Island. As of 2011, 35 estuaries have been sampled involving over 30 different watershed groups.

Partnership among ENGOs, universities, government agencies and volunteers is fundamental to the ongoing success of this project. Baseline data is gathered to better understand the health condition of their particular watershed. ENGOs provide manpower once a month to collect data. Universities often help with monthly collection and several students use the gathered data and data of their own for various research projects.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) scientists coordinate data acquisition. DFO staff also provides training, in-kind material support in the form of nets and meters, and in-depth analysis of the data.

CAMP – Training

* Note: if you can’t consult PDF documents, you can obtain a printed copy of this document by contacting the person for the Gulf Fisheries Center in Moncton at 506-851-6276 or by e-mail at camp-psca@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
* For more information on the PDF format, please read our help page.

The techniques for a CAMP program in any estuary/coastal location follow identical protocols as outlined in the appendices of the report for the 2004 season. This report can be accessed at the following location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/319437.pdf

Another report covers CAMP in terms of estuary health as it relates to impacts from fish processing plant effluent and can be accessed at this location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/321939.pdf

The 2005 CAMP results are summarized at the following location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/329182.pdf

The 2006 CAMP results are summarized at the following location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library/332000.pdf

The 2007 CAMP results are summarized at the following location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/336052.pdf

The results of the quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) program for CAMP are summarized at the following location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/335739.pdf

A report covering an overview analyses of the CAMP data collected from 2002 to 2008 in Bashin Head Lagoon in Prince Edward Island can be accessed at the following location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/339477.pdf

DFO coordinators devote considerable time each spring making sure new and returning volunteers receive standardized training. Both classroom and field training are offered. Each season, returning ENGO coordinators become lead trainers for new staff. As well, the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Coalition on Sustainability (http://coalition-sgsl.ca/CAMP.php) provides provincially-based student coordinators to assist ENGOs throughout the sampling season with logistics, while DFO personnel maintain quality control throughout the season.

CAMP – Future

Since its inception in 2003, CAMP has become an important monitoring tool for the health of watersheds and estuaries in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Information gained from the program provides government agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders with the baseline data necessary to assess changes in the aquatic environment, help identify the cause, and seek remedial action.

In 2010, a regional advisory process was undertaken to review the CAMP program and its use to infer the ecological health of estuaries. The proceedings and recommendations from this meeting are summarized at the following location: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Csas-sccs/publications/pro-cr/2011/2011_029-bil.pdf

For further information on any aspect of the CAMP program, please consult the CAMP pamphlet (PDF Format 513 kb), or contact the DFO Area offices in Tracadie-Sheila (506-395-7722), Charlottetown (902-566-7823) or Antigonish (902-863-5670).

The contact person for the Gulf Fisheries Centre in Moncton can be reached at 506-851-6276 or by e-mail at camp-psca@dfo-mpo.gc.ca