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CONSERVATION TO 2020 AND BEYOND
CANADA’S NEWEST MARINE PROTECTED AREA
On February 16, the CPAWS ocean The 9,000-year-old reefs span 1,000 km2
team celebrated an incredible victory 16 of ocean floor and can reach the height of
years in the making: the establishment an eight storey building.The reefs provide
of Canada’s newest marine protected habitat for many important species,
area (MPA), the Hecate Strait and Queen including spot prawns, rockfish, and sharks.
Charlotte Sound glass sponge reefs in BC.
Glass sponges are delicate, having the
The MPA will provide critical protection consistency of baked meringue, and
for Canada’s ancient and globally unique therefore are easily damaged by heavy
glass sponge reefs and is a positive step fishing gear like bottom trawlers and
towards reaching Canada’s international prawn traps.Tragically, estimates state
marine conservation targets. 50 per cent of the reefs have already
been destroyed by fishing gear.
In 2015, in response to the weak
protection measures being proposed, This MPA ensures long-term survival
we asked CPAWS supporters to write of the glass sponge reefs, and helps
to government and demand better assure the sustainability of fisheries
protection for the glass sponge reefs by protecting nursery habitat for
– and you did! The reefs are now commercially important species.
protected from all harmful bottom-
contact fishing activities. The announcement was celebrated
in Vancouver by the CPAWS-BC
Glass sponge reefs were widespread in the team, Minister LeBlanc and staff
prehistoric ocean, 200 million years ago, from Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
but were thought to have gone extinct 40 representatives from the fishing industry,
million years ago, until living reefs were and leading international scientists.The
discovered in BC in 1987. Their discovery announcement was also celebrated
was likened to finding a herd of dinosaurs online globally by millions, including
roamingVancouver Island. “Her Deepness,” world-renowned
marine scientist Sylvia Earle, and
Hollywood actor and environmental
activist Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Alexandra Barron, CPAWS BC
Please visit www.cpawsbc.org
Richardson Ridge, Banff National Park Glass sponges are the dinosaurs of the ocean. Photo: Sally Leys_Miriam O3
Photo: Harvey Locke SPRING/SUMMER 2017 • Canadian Wilderness • 7
www.cpaws.org
