Provincial protection of a rare glass sponge reef near Gambier Island was cause for celebration today for Environment Minister Mary Polak, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy, the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society, the Underwater Council of British Columbia and the Vancouver Aquarium.

The three organizations worked together to develop a proposal for the protection of these prehistoric glass sponges.

The Province is building on the proposal by expanding Halkett Bay Marine Park. One hundred thirty-six hectares of marine foreshore has been added to the park, protecting the fragile glass sponge reef.

The Gambier Island reef is one of only three known glass sponge reefs located in shallow water (30 metres) and is the only known reef adjacent to sponge garden habitat. The shallow water makes the reef easily accessible for scientists and scuba divers to study this unique habitat. Glass sponges are typically found only in very deep waters.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Mary Polak, Environment Minister –

“B.C.’s Howe Sound is the only place in the world where a glass sponge reef can be safely studied by scientists. The extension of Halkett Bay Marine Park protects and preserves this international treasure.”

Jordan Sturdy, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Literacy and the Environment for the Minister of Environment, and MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky –

“Working with community groups on the protection of special ecosystems for years has given me a great appreciation for these waters. I am proud of the cooperative steps taken to ensure these living fossils are preserved for generations.”

Glen Dennison, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society –

“In addition to filtering massive quantities of water, these glass sponge reefs appear to act as habitat for severely depleted rockfish stocks. We look forward to working with BC Parks and our partners to further study and protect this, and other reefs, with a goal of creating a network of No-Take Marine Protected Areas.”

Adam Taylor, Underwater Council of British Columbia –

“As SCUBA divers, we see first-hand the changes occurring in our marine environment. This park expansion will offer both recreational and scientific divers the opportunity to visit a globally unique ecosystem and help observe the role these reefs play in the environment.”

Dr. Jeff Marliave, senior research scientist, Coastal Ocean Research Institute, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre –

“The Aquarium’s Coastal Ocean Research Institute looks forward to the opportunities that the expansion of Halkett Bay Marine Park will provide for citizen science divers to document observations of the glass sponge reef, observations that may help us understand climate change.”

Quick Facts:

• The boundary of Halkett Bay Marine Park was modified through the Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2016, which received Royal Assent on May 19, 2016.
• B.C. is recognized as having one of the largest protected areas systems in North America.
• 37% of B.C.’s land base is under some type of conservation designation, ranging from wildlife habitat areas and old growth management areas to parks, conservancies and protected areas.

(flickr.com)

Learn More:

For more information on the Protected Areas of B.C. Amendment Act, 2016, please visit: http://ow.ly/4nt4h4

See photos of glass sponges here: http://ow.ly/4nt4os

Learn more about the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia at: https://mlssbc.com/

For more information about the Underwater Council of British Columbia, please visit: http://underwatercouncilbc.org/

Visit the Vancouver Aquarium online at: http://www.vanaqua.org/