Project Overview
The Coastal Habitat Comprehensive Research Project is a large-scale research program overseen by Niskamoon Corporation covering the entire eastern coast of James Bay and involving all four Cree coastal communities. The program was created following an agreement signed between the Cree Nation Government, Niskamoon Corporation and Hydro-Québec in August 2016 with the objective of better understanding the generalized decline of eelgrass (Zostera marina) habitats along the eastern James Bay coast. This species has been shown to be extremely important to the ecology of the coastal region.
The Coastal Habitat Comprehensive Research Program is governed by the following overarching questions:
- What are the main factors affecting the current growth of eelgrass along the eastern coast of James Bay?
- What is the impact of the current state of eelgrass beds on waterfowl presence along the coast of James Bay and, subsequently, Cree hunting activities?
For an overview of the Eeyou Istchee’s Eelgrass ecosystem, click here.
