Sea level and the composite joint probability of distribution for tides, surges, waves: a presentation summary

The vast majority of open-water aquaculture in Canadian marine systems occurs 'inshore' and shellfish and finfish operations can be affected by changes to waves, wind, and tidal surges. Landbased aquaculture is not immune to these influences either, as culture facilities are typically located near a water source to minimize pumping distance, and frequently on a flood plain. Sea-level changes will create changes in the wave climate, including wave-effects, and events like wave-enhanced coastal flooding that didn't previously exist, which could promote damages in some exposed locations. Reduced winter ice-cover in some areas may provide greater open wave areas, and actual waves, for example in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which had previously been frozen in winter, certainly affecting the winter wave climate in these areas.