Endangered Sponge Species

There are a number of endanged species of sponges in the north east Pacific Ocean. The most notable of these is the Glass Sponge reefs along the west coast of British Columbia. 

DFO Announcement regarding sponge reef conservation

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has implemented fishing closures to protect nine glass sponge reefs in the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. Commercial and recreational bottom-contact fishing is prohibited within 150 metres of all nine glass sponge reefs. FN0415

Effective June 12, 2015 all commercial and recreational bottom contact fishing activities for prawn, shrimp, crab and groundfish (including halibut) were prohibited within the areas listed below in order to protect the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reefs. These closures will be in effect until further notice.

On April 1, 2016 these closures also went into effect for all First Nation Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) fisheries that participate in bottom contact fishing activities for prawn, shrimp, crab and groundfish.

British Columbia’s ancient glass sponge reefs are a globally unique ecosystem that provides important habitat for many marine animals including spot prawns, rockfish, herring, halibut, and sharks.

The protection of coral and sponge reefs is a key component to a number of international commitments made by Canada through the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

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