Protection
It was requested in 1999 that groundfish trawlers voluntarily avoid sponge reefs. In 2002 voluntary closures of shrimp trawl fishing, and regulated closures of groundfish trawling were initiated in areas where sponge reefs were known. However, voluntary avoidance by fishers is not an entirely effective method, and new damage to the reefs was reported between 1999 and 2002, indicating that the reefs were not entirely missed.
Protection of the four sponge reefs in Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait is included as a “management issue” in the 2005/06 groundfish trawling management plan. Fishing activities around the sponge reefs are to be monitored to ensure that the reefs are being adequately protected from trawling.
It is recommended that an additional nine km buffer zone around the reefs be added to the existing groudfish trawl closures. The four reefs in the QCB, and one reef in the GB are also being considered as locations for future Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Although MPAs may be more effective than fishery closures for long-term protection of the reefs from bottom trawling, the oil and gas industry would still pose a threat.
Read more about this topic: Sponge Reef
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