2B Vancouver Island 



James F. R. Gower 



and 



Ken L. Denman 



Institute of Ocean Sciences 

 Sidney, B.C., Canada 



The prevailing northwest wind that blows along the Canadian west 

 coast in the summer months causes upwelling of nutrient-rich water onto 

 the continental shelf off Vancouver Island. The resulting primary 

 production leads to high chlorophyll pigment levels in surface water near 

 the coast. This productivity is important to the local fisheries, especially 

 the commercially valuable salmon industry. The pigment-rich water also 

 traces out dynamic patterns of surface flow, particularly those that result 

 in movement of shelf water offshore to deeper water. 



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