Glass Sponge Reefs protected in Howe Sound

9 Glass Sponge Reefs in Howe Sound are now protected under 8 new marine refuges of approximately 3.5 square kilometres!

Announced on Tuesday, March 5th by Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and MP Pamela Goldsmith Jones, this permanent protection for the fragile reefs are the result of diligent work by organizations, citizen scientists, the Squamish Nation and other stakeholder groups including fishers. Particular kudos go to Glen Dennison of the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society who discovered, mapped and advocated for the protection of these reefs. Thanks also to volunteer members of our SCCA Marine Committee, including Cindy Harlow, Marina Stjepovic, Angela Kroning and Dianne Sanford, who spend time educating about the importance of Glass Sponge Reefs as well as adding their voices as advocates for the protection of all the reefs within the Salish Sea.

These marine refuges represent formal fishery closures that will come into effect April 1, 2019, and include an area of 150 metres extending beyond the reefs edges. All commercial, recreational and First Nations Food, Social and Ceremonial bottom contact fishing activities, including prawn and crab traps, shrimp and groundfish by trawl, and groundfish by hook and line, will be prohibited within the refuges, as well as the use of downrigger gear in recreational salmon trolling.

An additional 9 reefs are under consideration now for future protection, requiring further ground-truthing to assess their ecological significance. These include 4 reefs close to us here on the Sunshine Coast, in the areas of Mariner's Rest, Camelo Point, Langdale, and Collingwood Channel.

Glass sponge reefs are a true wonder, thought to have been extinct for over 40 million years, but discovered in 1987 to be living in Hecate Strait. Dr. Manfred Krautter, who studies fossilized reefs in Europe has likened the discovery of living reefs akin to finding a herd of dinosaurs living in modern times! They not only provide important deep-sea habitat for many species including rockfish, prawns and sharks, they also are tremendously efficient filter feeders. These 9 newly protected reefs will filter an estimated 17 billion litres of water a day - the equivalent of 6,800 Olympic size swimming pools.

Though we are very pleased that these first 9 reefs are now protected from damaging bottom contact fishing activities, we continue to advocate for the full protection of the 18 mapped reefs from all human activities (such as cable lines, freighter traffic and anchorages) as Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act.

You can read more about these precious reefs and the new marine refuges here:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada News Release

Marine Life Sanctuaries Society post

Sea of Glass - Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) 

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Last Updated: Saturday, 09 March 2019 04:25

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

YOU'RE INVITED to join us for a very special 22nd Anniversary edition of our Celebration of Conservation party, featuring the New Orleans-inspired 9 piece band from Vancouver, the Big Easy Funk Ensemble.

Raise a glass to over two decades of protecting the stunning natural biodiversity of the Sunshine Coast, and get out on the dance floor to build the energy and momentum for another 20 years, at least!

Saturday, February 9th
Roberts Creek Hall
Doors at 7:30 pm, band starts at 9 pm

Come early to mingle, enjoy hors d'oeurves, and hear some exciting conservation news. Stay late to boogie, Mardi Gras-style! Dress up and costumes encouraged!
Door prizes & 50/50 draw at 10 pm.

CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW!

SCCA MEMBERS: $25* (online purchase only)

NON-MEMBERS:
Early bird sale until January 26th: $25
Jan 27 - Feb 9: $30

Get your discount by becoming an SCCA member HERE!

Tickets also available at: Strait Music (Sechelt), MELOmania (Roberts Creek), and Laedeli (Gibsons).

Presented by the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and the Sunshine Coast Jazz and Entertainment Society.

For more information, contact info@thescca.ca, or 604.865.1633.
To VOLUNTEER, contact volunteer@thescca.ca.

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Last Updated: Friday, 25 January 2019 00:25

Environmental Issues All Candidates Forums

Please join us for an evening (or two!) of democratic engagement and find out where your area candidates stand on the environmental issues that matter most to you!

We're hosting two Environmental Issues All Candidates Meetings:

SCRD Areas A, B and District of Sechelt
Monday, October 1st
shishalh Band Hall
6 - 8 pm, doors at 5:30 pm

SCRD Areas D, E, F and Town of Gibsons
Wednesday, October 10th
Gibsons Public Market Atrium
6 - 8 pm, doors at 5:30 pm

Questions have been sent to all our local candidates on these four topics: Climate Change, Sustainable Water Supply, Adequate Environmental Regulation, and Our Forested Environments. Download a copy of the questions here.

VISIT THIS PAGE for our handy guide to the questions and the candidates' responses, and learn more about where your candidates stand on these topics.
Then you can bring your questions on these and other relevant environmental issues to a forum near you!

Space is limited, so please arrive when doors open at 5:30 to ensure you get a seat, and to enjoy light refreshments and mingling with candidates before we start at 6 pm sharp.  Entry is by donation. See you there!!

Volunteers needed - contact volunteer@thescca.ca to lend a hand.

Presented in collaboration with the Georgia Strait Alliance and the Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre.

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Last Updated: Friday, 05 October 2018 19:11