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Home , Cloud sponge, Farrea occa, Sponge reef

The Deep Sea Cities of Glass by Sheila Byers

Glass reefs are ancient several mass extinction events during unique living structures that have the last 560 million years. Glass so far only been found in fjords typically grow as individu- and on the off the als on hard substrata and are found Pacific Northwest Coast of North throughout the world in deep, dark America. The first sightings of glass and cold (<12°C) water, the densest sponge reefs in 1987–1988 in Hecate communities occurring at ocean Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound depths around 20 m to 240 m. near Haida Gwaii initiated a series -building glass sponges are of discoveries along coastal BC. unique in that the spicules of the skel- Subsequently reefs were discovered eton are fused at the tips (not loosely in the Strait of Georgia (SOG), held together) to form an internal, Howe Sound, Lynn Canal north of rigid three-dimensional structure. Juneau Alaska and in Portland Canal This 3D scaffold comprises greater (Boundary Reefs) between Alaska than 80% of the sponge’s and and BC. More recently, reefs were is the basis of the reef formation. discovered in Chatham Sound near The deep sea reefs of Hecate Strait Prince Rupert and in Desolation and Queen Charlotte Sound off Sound. Closer to home, Glen Den- Haida Gwaii grow at 165–240 m nison of the Sanctuaries and the SOG reefs at 69–230 m.The Society of BC (MLSS) discovered newly discovered Howe Sound reefs 12 new reefs within Howe Sound are shallower, ranging from 20–122 m. (1984–2015). Glass Sponge Reefs — Glass Sponge Biology Ecosystem Structure and Distribution There are three of reef-build- Glass sponges belong to the class ing sponges in BC: cloud sponge Hexactinellida, one of four sponge ( vastus), fingered goblet classes within the invertebrate sponge (Heterochone calyx), and lace phylum Porifera: the ‘pore-bearers’. sponge ( occa). These three Close examination of any sponge will species form the reefs in Hecate reveal its ‘holey’ appearance. Hexac- Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound. Glen Dennison at Halkett glass sponge reef. Photo by Adam Taylor. tinellid sponges have a that In the SOG and Howe Sound, the is constructed of tiny, six-spined sili- cloud sponge (predominantly) and and tidally-driven, near-bottom cur- matrix. New larval sponge recruits ceous spicules made of silica (silicon fingered goblet sponge are the reef- rents. Fine organic-rich sediments settle on exposed dead of dioxide, SiO2). The skeleton is as builders. Glass sponge reefs benefit transported by ambient currents are older generations to continue the fragile as glass. from elevated bathymetry whether baffled and entrapped by the sponges. growth cycle while building the sponges are the first- as exposed glacial seafloor, pinnacles, As the sponges die the skeletons height of the reef. known multicellular organisms in seamounts or submarine ridges in collapse and with the accumulated Sponge reefs can span kilometres the Earth’s history and have survived areas of high silica concentrations sediments, coalesce into a semisolid of the seafloor and reach up to 25

30 Discovery 2018 31 of food to sustain large sponge reef (and thus more food) at the same or communities. A recent study suggests lower energetic cost. that reef communities are supported During the pumping process the by several food sources including sponges release important nitrog- fresh bacterial food imported by enous waste products into the ambient currents from the overly- surface waters to contribute towards ing (terrestrial and photosynthesis and oceanic) and recycled bacterial food . The significant con- supplied from resuspended sedi- nection of communities of filtering ments entrapped within the reefs. glass sponges on the seafloor affect- Diagram of glass sponge reef structure (modified from Dunham et al. 2018). Add the excreted waste (fecal pellets) ing properties of the overlying water By permission of Anya Dunham. from the sponges themselves to the column is referred to as benthic- entrapped sediments and the result is pelagic coupling. m in height, with the living crowns membrane is composed of cells that an enhancement of bacterial growth How much water is pumped? adding another 1–2 m on top of the perform specific tasks. within the sediments. This unusual Calculations made by Fisheries and reef formation. From an ecosystem All organisms including glass interaction between the reef and the Oceans Canada scientists estimate perspective, the sponge reefs not sponges need food to provide energy sediments baffled by the sponges may that the filtration capacity of nine only provide habitat for new sponge for growth, repair and reproduction. explain why the bathymetric eleva- reefs in Howe Sound would clear growth but also support diverse and Glass sponges are suspension feeders tion of the reef communities is so over 17 billion liters of water daily. abundant communities of inverte- that filter food from the overlying critical. Tidally-driven currents bring This is equivalent to over 6,500 brates and with 84 taxonomic water column. Glass sponge reefs new water for food to replenish that Olympic-size swimming pools! Add groups observed. The reefs provide have the highest benthic grazing grazed by the sponges, resuspend this volume in Howe Sound with refuge, foraging and nursery grounds rate (transfer of food from the water sediments to cement the reef struc- the volume of water filtered by the for species of commercial, recre- column to the bottom-feeders) of ture, and increase the food supply nine known reefs in the SOG and ational and cultural fisheries such any suspension-feeding community from locally resuspended bottom the total daily filtration volume is as rockfish, lingcod, crab, shrimp, measured to date. They have tiny sediments rich with bacteria. Taking ~1% of all water in the SOG basin. prawn and sea cucumber. specialized, fine-meshed collar cells advantage of entrapped sediments It would take these 18 sponge reefs Ecological Functions that pump massive volumes of water enables processing of more water just 82 days to filter all water in the through tiny pores and micro chan- SOG and and Services nels within the skeletal body wall Howe Sound A unique feature of glass sponges is while filtering out 95% of bacteria combined their living tissue. Instead of being and other protist picoplankton (<10 (a turnover formed of single cells (each cell µm). Oxygen and silica are extracted capacity of with its own nucleus), it forms one from the water during the process. 4 times per giant cell with many nuclei within. Glass sponges have a tricky ener- year). This modified tissue enables both getic balance to maintain: the energy Or, if nutrients and communicating elec- it costs to pump and filter the water the com- trical signals to travel unimpeded versus the energy gained by ingesting bined reef throughout the entire sponge. The the bacterial food (particulate organic area of the so-called syncytial tissue envelops carbon) filtered from the water. How nine Howe and pervades the silica scaffold tricky is it? Concentrations of bac- Sound reefs much like a cob-web and composes teria at the depth of these reefs are is 60.4 hect- about 75% of the living mem- about one-tenth of that in surface Squat lobster, Munida quadrispina, in Howe Sound glass sponge ares, imagine brane. The other 25% of the living waters — likely an insufficient supply reefs. Photo by Diane Reid. that these

32 Discovery 2018 33 Climate Change: what are the nine reefs would take only ~2 hours sponge suggesting greater than 220 implications on sponge reefs? to pump the equivalent of wastewa- years. They are slow growing with ter volume generated by the entire rates estimated at 1–9 cm per year The enormous amounts of seawa- population of Metro Vancouver in (depending on age). The rate of reef ter filtered over time, the heavily one day (www.metrovancouver.org; growth is also unknown but an esti- silicified skeletons, and sediment Adam Taylor and Lora McAuley, mate suggests as fast as 12 m verti- entrainment by reef-building MLSS, Pers. Comm.). cally in 3000 years. Sponges and reefs sponges suggest the potential Vulnerabilities are slow to recover from disturbances. for reefs to sequester carbon and When sponges are exposed to silicon as ‘sinks’ or buried reser- Glass sponges are sensitive and excessive amounts of suspended voirs. Such reservoirs could provide exceptionally fragile. Reef-building sediments the tiny pores and micro- long-term benefits for ocean sponges are long-lived but their channels so important for filtration primary productivity. Potential for lifespan is unknown with esti- become clogged. Sponges can be a silicon sink is substantial with mates for a non-reef building smothered. To prevent clogging, a several reefs estimated to lock 915 sponge immediately tonnes of silicon into the exposed arrests its filtering in portion of the reef. Estimates of response to rapid electri- the amount of carbon removed and cal signals sent through- processed by reef filtration amount out the syncytial tissue. to approximately 1g of carbon per Shrimp peering out of glass sponge Prolonged clogging square meter per day. These values osculum. Photo by Adam Taylor. causes reduced pumping, are comparable to carbon seques- reduced feeding and tration rates reported for terrestrial dissolved silicon from riverine input. the long term loss of old growth forests and to “blue Should lower productivity occur, ecosystem function carbon” sequestration rates by marine reduced bacterial concentrations and services. Glass vegetation. By example, the produc- below that required for sponge filtra- sponges are vulnerable tivity of Macrocystis giant tion will potentially affect growth to suspended sediment is estimated at 2.7g carbon per square and reproduction. Reduced ambient and contaminant loads meter per day. Given these high oxygen levels would make extraction associated with bottom- carbon removal rates, reef-building by the sponges more difficult and , mines and sponges may act as one of the buffers drive up the energy cost of filtration. industrial sites. Mechani- against ocean acidification. Some fjord sponge populations cal injuries from bottom Ocean acidification may indirectly may face extirpation with warming contact crab, prawn and affect the feeding efficiency of glass temperatures and greatly reduced shrimp traps, downrigger sponges if the tissue function and dissolved oxygen levels. Glass balls and boat anchors homeostasis of the membrane pumps sponges are particularly sensitive to cause major cumulative are detrimentally compromised. The temperature change because of their damage in the fragile marine life associated with the reefs electrical conduction system propa- glass sponge communi- that are carbonate-dependent (e.g., gated in the syncytial tissue. With ties. Protecting these crustaceans, molluscs), however, will higher temperatures sponges will ecosystems is critical to be more directly impacted. be less likely to arrest their feeding Top: Pregnant Quillback rockfish, Sebastes maliger, the economically impor- Waters in the SOG and BC current making them susceptible to in Howe Sound glass sponge reefs. Above: Subadult tant marine fisheries and fjords (including Howe Sound) are clogging and damage by sediment. Yelloweye rockfish, Sebastes ruberrimus, in Howe ecotourism that sponge highly productive, well oxygenated Glass sponges do not contract (like Sound glass sponge reefs. Photos by Diane Reid. reefs support. due to high tidal mixing, and rich in other sponges), so arresting their

34 Discovery 2018 35 2. Chu, J.W.F. and S.P. Leys. 2010. 9. Kahn, A.S., J.W.F. Chu and S.P. High resolution mapping of commu- Leys. 2018. Trophic ecology of glass nity structure in three glass sponge sponge reefs in the Strait of Georgia, reefs (Porifera, Hexactinellida). British Columbia. Scientific Reports Marine Ecology Progress Series 417: 8:756:1–11. 97-113. 10. Kahn, A.S., G. Yahel, J.W.F. Chu, V. 3. Chu, J.W.F., M. Maldonado, G. Yahel Tunnicliffe and S.P. Leys. 2015. Benthic and S.P. Leys. 2011. Glass sponge grazing and carbon sequestration by reefs as a silicon sink. Marine Ecology deep-water glass sponge reefs. Limnol- Progress Series 441: 1-14. ogy and Oceanography 60: 78-88. 4. Clayton, L. and G. Dennison. 2017. 11. Leys, S. P. 2003. The significance of Inexpensive video drop-camera for syncytial tissues for the position of surveying sensitive benthic habi- the Hexactinellida in the Metazoa. tats: applications from glass sponge Integrative and Comparative Biology (Hexactinellida) reefs in Howe Sound, 43: 19-27. BC. Canadian Field-Naturalist 131: 12. Leys, S.P. 2013. Effects of Sediment on 46-54. Glass Sponges (Porifera, Hexactinellida) 5. Conway, K.W., J.V. Barrie, W.C. and Projected Effects on Glass Sponge Austin and J.L. Luternauer. 1991. Reefs. DFO Canadian Science Advi- Pacific lingcod in Halkett glass sponge reef. Photo by Adam Taylor. Holocene sponge bioherms on the sory Secretariat Research Document western Canadian continental shelf. 074. 23 pp. filtration current is the only protec- research work and editorial assistance Continental Shelf Research 11: 13. Marliave, J.B., C.J. Gibbs, D.M. tion they have against ingesting and to the amazing MLSS team of 771-790. Gibbs, A.O. Lamb and Skip J.F. damaging particles. citizen science researchers, educators 6. Conway, K.W. , M. Krautter, J.V. Young. 2011. Biodiversity Stability Glass sponge reefs are fascinating, and divers. Barrie, F. Whitney, R.E. Thomson, H. of Shallow Marine in Strait beautiful, fragile and complex benthic Reiswig, H. Lehnert, G. Mungov and of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada ecosystems that provide refuge, for- Sheila Byers, a Registered Professional M. Bertram. 2005. Sponge reefs in the Through Climate Regimes, Overfish- aging habitat and nursery grounds Biologist and marine biologist, is the Queen Charlotte Basin, Canada: controls ing and Ocean Acidification. Chapter for a diversity of marine life includ- Past President and a current Director on distribution, growth and development. 3 IN: Grillo O. and G. Venora (eds.) ing those of economic importance. of the MLSS since 2007. She has been IN: Freiwald A. and J.M. Roberts Biodiversity Loss in a Changing Planet. Knowledge of the deep reef habitats a member of Nature Vancouver and (eds.) Cold Water Corals and Ecosystems. InTech Publisher. and their ecological services is still has sat on the Section Springer-Verlag. 14. McAuley, L. 2017. Howe Sound Glass limited in part due to the technical Planning Committee since 2002. Sheila 7. Conway, K.W., F. Whitney, S.P. Sponge Reef Identification. On behalf of challenges of accessing these deep is a Museum Interpreter at the Beaty Leys, J.V. Barrie, and M. Kraut- the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society and often remote communities. There Biodiversity Museum, UBC. ter. 2017. Sponge Reefs of the British for Department of Fisheries and is much to learn about reproduction, Select References Columbia, Canada Coast: Impacts of Oceans Canada. 39pp. dispersal and recruitment of reef- Climate Change and Ocean Acidifica- 15. Yahel, G. and F. Whitney, H.M. building sponges. MLSS continues 1. Canada Department of Fisheries and tion. Chapter 10 IN: Carballo J.L and Reiswig, D.I. Eerkes-Medrano and to support DFO by conducting Oceans. 2018. Glass Sponge Aggrega- J.J. Bell (eds). Climate Change, Ocean S.P. Leys. 2007. In situ feeding and science-based research to broaden tions in Howe Sound: Locations, Reef Acidification and Sponges. Springer metabolism of glass sponges (Hexac- the knowledge of Howe Sound glass Status, and Ecological Significance International Publishing. tinellida, Porifera) studied in a deep sponge reefs. Assessment. DFO Canadian Science 8. Dunham, A., Marine Environmen- temperate fjord with a remotely oper- Many thanks go to Dr. Sally Leys Advisory Secretariat Response. tal Research. 2018. https://doi. ated submersible. and and Dr. Anya Dunham for their 2018/032. 43 pp. org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.08.002 Oceanography 52(1): 428-440.

36 Discovery 2018 37 The Marine Life Sanctuaries Society and Conservation of Howe Sound Rockfishes and Glass Sponge Reefs by Sheila Byers The MLSS Mission — “to establish No-Take marine sanctuaries that dives over a period of 25 years, they will protect all marine life in their observed a significant decline in natural environment, in perpetuity.” populations of formerly abundant inshore rockfish species. Coinci- Canada has the longest coastline of dently, they noticed a major increase any nation in the world. Despite this in the targeting of rockfish species distinction it has taken decades for by commercial interests and sport- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fishing pressure. They decided it was to protect a mere 7.75% of the time to take action to protect rock- nation’s total ocean territory through fishes by calling for the establishment formally delineated Marine Protected of marine sanctuaries. Areas (MPA), conservation areas Marine sanctuaries ensure re- and marine refuges. None of these growth of depleted populations in designated areas provide full protec- areas where commercial or recre- tion. Since its initiation, the Marine ational species have been over-har- Life Sanctuaries Society of British vested. Often within a rockfish eco- Columbia (MLSS) has been working system it is the largest and most pro- to achieve greater protection of our ductive individuals that are targeted coastal marine ecosystems through and this selective harvest removes the the creation of no-take sanctuaries most genetically valuable age groups where absolutely NO extraction of of populations. In 1977, Dr Bill life or minerals is permitted within Ballantine, the “father of marine these protected areas. conservation in New Zealand,” suc- MLSS and Rockfishes — History cessfully demonstrated the value of marine reserves to all New Zealand- The Pacific Marine Life Sanctuar- ers — including the commercial and ies Society was formed in 1990 as sport fishers. Since then other nations a Canadian registered charitable have recognized the benefits of organization and renamed as the establishing large marine reserves to Marine Life Sanctuaries Society in protect the sustainable harvesting of 1993. Since 1985 the idea of forming marine species. Canada has been slow City of Glass: Bettina Matzkuhn explores history, geography, and personal stories a society had been buoyed around to follow but is making progress. through embroidery and fabric collage. She holds a BFA in Visual Arts and an by experienced dive partners, Andy It is no surprise that collaboration MA in Liberal Studies from Simon Fraser University. She exhibits internation- Lamb and Bernard Hanby, authors with other like-minded people and ally, writes on the arts, lectures, teaches, and volunteers. City of Glass was made of the popular encyclopedic book Environmental Non-Government in collaboration with marine biologist Sheila Byers for an exhibit at the Craft Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest Organizations (ENGOs) is critical to Council of B.C. that paired textile artists with members of Nature Vancouver. (2005). Throughout thousands of accomplish important environmental Photo by B. Matzkuhn. www.bettinamatzkuhn.ca

38 Discovery 2018 39 Glen Dennison diving on Halkett glass sponge reef. Photo by Adam Taylor. Decorated warbonnet, Chirolophis decoratus, peering out of glass sponge osculum. Photo by Adam Taylor. objectives. One such goal was to Canada’s Ocean Act of 1997. It has stop the fishing of rockfishes off not yet been re-designated an MPA Charlotte Sound in 1987–1988 and Five reefs in Howe Sound are safely Whytecliff Park. MLSS teamed up under this newer legislation. subsequently in the Strait of Georgia air-gas, SCUBA-diver accessible with researchers at the Vancouver MLSS continues to strive for pro- (SOG) and Howe Sound, the impor- (24-31 m) — the only known sites in Aquarium, divers from the Under- tection of the declining populations tance of glass sponge reef ecosystems BC that provide unique opportuni- water Council of British Columbia of rockfish species in Howe Sound. to the survival of rockfish species ties for researchers, citizen science (UCBC), board members from DFO established Rockfish Conserva- soon became evident. and experienced recreational divers. Canadian Parks and Wilderness tion Areas (RCA) along the BC coast During the discovery of glass Sponge communities accessible by Society (CPAWS) and several con- in 2002; however, evidence suggests sponge reefs in the Strait of Georgia divers are one of four places in the cerned professional citizens. In 1993 that not only is there a prevalence of (2002-2010), two reef areas were world: Antarctica, fjords of South- the consortium successfully achieved low compliance and a general lack of identified at the north and south ern New Zealand, Mediterranean MPA status for Whytecliff Marine awareness of existing fishing regula- ends of Howe Sound, but no other submarine caves, and the fjords and Park in West Vancouver. This no-take tions, poaching is rampant with very reefs were located. MLSS SCUBA continental shelf off the Pacific Coast MPA was one of the first in Canada limited Federal enforcement available! divers, however, first became aware of North America. to safeguard all marine life from Similarly, glass sponge reefs located of glass sponges in Howe Sound at Photographic documentation by consumptive use. The legal status of within RCAs and Marine Provincial Passage Island in 1984; later rec- MLSS divers of rockfishes using the this protection has fallen through the Parks receive little to no protection ognizing these as sponge reefs off reefs for foraging, protection and political cracks, however, and Why- from the spatially managed RCAs as Halkett Point in 1996. Between 1984 nursery grounds, confirms a strong tecliff Marine Park remains an unof- many types of commercial and recre- and 2015, MLSS diver and explorer, preference by rockfishes for sponge ficial MPA (with a fisheries closure ational fishing activities are permitted. Glen Dennison, discovered 12 new reef habitat. Following the DFO by Variation orders) since it was With the discovery of glass sponge reefs within Howe Sound sparking ecosystem management approach, established prior to the adoption of reefs in Hecate Strait and Queen many dive explorations on the reefs. MLSS refocused its efforts on the

40 Discovery 2018 41 glass sponge reef ecosystems to spatial locations of the 12 currently within the reef by MLSS divers who Understanding sponge recruitment protect not only the rockfishes, unprotected reefs. regularly photographed evidence of is crucial for estimating sponge reef but all marine life seeking refuge In 2014, MLSS spearheaded an attached biota. Over the one-year recovery potential and may influence therein. Rockfish are the predomi- initiative with BC Parks to increase experiment, 31 unique taxa settled important conservation strategies. nant species in these ecosystems; Halkett Bay Provincial Park to on the artificial tree. Unfortunately, Ecosystems in the deep sea like yet there is much to learn about the include the glass sponges discovered none were baby glass sponges but glass sponge reefs are challeng- rockfish/sponge relationship. southeast of Gambier Island. Sup- our work continues on this project. ing to study. MLSS partnered with Since the Whytecliff Park success, ported by UCBC, the Vancouver the diver–based relationships and Aquarium, Future of Howe Sound collaborations have grown amongst Society, David Suzuki Foundation, MLSS, the Vancouver Aquarium, CMEPS, BC Parks, municipal gov- UCBC and Canadian Marine ernments, First Nations and Islands Environment Protection Society Trust, the marine park was expanded (CMEPS). The common goal is to by 136 ha to include a rare glass provide policy decision-makers and sponge reef and sponge garden com- managers with the best science- bination. At less than 31 m depth, based information to protect these the new Halkett Bay Provincial fragile ecosystems. Marine Park is one of the five safely Conservation Efforts by MLSS dive-able reef sites. Then BC Envi- ronment Minister Mary Polak and and Partners West Vancouver Sea-to-Sky MLA In 1998, UCBC divers began install- Jordan Sturdy ensured the protection ing mooring buoys at strategic reef of these sensitive benthic ecosystems locations in Howe Sound, helping through their press announcement on to minimize damage to bottom- May 26, 2017. In July 2018, a subsur- dwelling marine life from boat face mooring buoy was installed on a anchorage and weighted fishing gear rocky pinnacle adjacent to the Halkett (e.g., downriggers). Installation of glass sponge reef. MLSS cooperation mooring buoys under the Federal with the BC Provincial Government Navigation Protection Act stimu- assured due diligence to protect the lated the creation of Rockfish Con- reef from further mechanical damage servation Areas ultimately designed, due to weighted site-marker lines but failing, to alleviate further rock- and anchorage. A surface float will be fish population declines. installed in early 2019. Since 2011, Glen Dennison has To further the knowledge of mapped the newly discovered glass sponge recruitment, MLSS con- sponge reefs using inexpensive ducted a field-based experiment with methods and equipment to identify DFO scientists to study the settle- and document the reefs: single- ment of larval glass sponges and beam sonar bathymetric mapping, a other sessile biota within the reef custom-designed drop-camera, and, ecosystem in Halkett Bay Provincial SCUBA surveys. In 2017, MLSS Marine Park. In 2017, artificial ‘larval submitted a formal report to DFO settlement trees’ that emulated the Overview of known glass sponge aggregations in Howe Sound, DFO 2018. describing the biological features and glass sponge structure were installed DFO Map by permission of Anya Durham.

42 Discovery 2018 43 MLSS Education and Outreach Aquatica Submarines and Subsea of its conservation commitment to protection of the nine SOG and Technologies in 2016 to secure cer- MLSS conducts Beach Interpreta- the International Aichi Biodiversity Howe Sound reefs on June 12, 2015 tifications for hull pressure dives and tion Programs (BIPs) to promote Target 11 to protect 5% of Canada’s and for the newly discovered Howe passenger transport on the Stingray public awareness of local marine life, marine coastline by 2017. Nonethe- Sound reefs on July 26, 2018. The submersible in Howe Sound. Sub- species interactions and the intricate less, DFO has made substantial SOG reefs are protected under a sequently, MLSS biologists and dive and complex food webs upon which progress and MLSS is optimistic that formal fishing closure Variation photographers joined Aquatica in the we depend. Humans are intimately DFO’s conservation target to attain Order No 2015-293: all commercial, Stingray to dive the glass sponge reefs involved and responsible for the 10% protected marine and coastal recreational and Food, Social and on Kelvin Grove seamounts (75 m sustainability of marine life and the areas by 2020 will include protection Ceremonial bottom-contact fishing depth). This was a first-ever dive for ecosystems that support it, including of the combined SOG and Howe for prawn, shrimp, crab (by trap), and MLSS in the Stingray and for human the fragile glass sponge reefs. BIPs Sound reef ecosystems as MPAs. groundfish (including halibut) is pro- eyes upon this reef. The Stingray are conducted on the beaches where On February 16, 2017, DFO hibited within a 150 m buffer zone provides an affordable platform from visitors gain access to subtidal marine established an Oceans Act MPA around the protected reef footprint. which to conduct research at depth life collected by divers and main- for the Hecate Strait and Queen The public were asked to vol- such as biota surveys, live versus dead tained in tanks with through-flowing Charlotte Sound glass sponge reefs: untarily avoid fishing in the newly sponge patches within the reefs, etc., cold seawater; before returning them a combined 2,410 sq km area of discovered Howe Sound reefs in and to monitor reefs for anthropo- to their ocean habitats. Experienced three individual reef structures and September 2017 by DFO Aleria genic impacts. The Stingray dives to interpreters share their knowledge of associated biodiversity. The MPA is Ladwig, Ecosystems Approach the City of Glass were a once-in-a- natural history and species interac- protected from all bottom-contact Officer, Resource Management: lifetime experience for most of the tions for the diver-captured . fishing activities occurring within including bottom-contact fishing MLSS volunteers. BIPs engage the tactile senses with a 200 m buffer zone around the gear for crab and prawn trap, trawl, The MLSS discoveries and a close-up and hands-on experience, protected reef footprints, including and hook and line fisheries. The research of the glass sponge reefs promoting interest, knowledge and a stringent measures for mid-water 2018 stakeholder consultations were provide a valuable marine com- sense of responsibility that prompt a trawl fisheries in the water column productive and encouraging with ponent to the Howe Sound Bio- broader stewardship by the public. and beyond the reef footprints. DFO assuring fishing closures for sphere Region Initiative (BRI) that Legal Protection for BC Glass MLSS participated in the DFO the yet unprotected, newly discov- was launched in 2016 to obtain a stakeholder consultations for the ered Howe Sound sponge reefs in Sponge Reefs UNESCO (United Nations Edu- cational, Scientific and Cultural The many biological and ecologi- Organization) Man and Biosphere cal functions and services provided Program designation for the Howe by glass sponge reefs reinforce their Sound Biosphere Region. MLSS’ status as sensitive benthic habitats and efforts to obtain DFO protection for the need for Federal protection. DFO the glass sponge reef ecosystems that abides by international commitments support economically and culturally for responsible fisheries (to the United important marine life substantiate Nations and Food and Agriculture the value of the proposed biosphere Organization) under the Conven- reserve. MLSS has a strong working tion of Biological Diversity; as well relationship with Ruth Simons, Lead as several national policies and strate- of the Howe Sound BRI and appre- gies (e.g., Sensitive Benthic Areas ciates the opportunity to support Policy, Ecological Risk Assessment efforts to protect the reef ecosystems Framework (ERAF), Pacific Region with the long term goal of sustain- Cold-Water Coral and Sponge Con- able fisheries. servation Strategy). DFO fell short Pacific lingcod in Halkett glass sponge reef. Photo by Adam Taylor.

44 Discovery 2018 45 2019. Further work is necessary to ecological significance assessment. DFO achieve long-term MPA designa- Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat tion for all known SOG and Howe Science Response. 2018/032. Sound reefs rather than existing 3. Canada Department of Fisheries and short-term fisheries closures. Oceans. 2018. Retrieved December The MLSS team and our collabor- 13, 2017; October 5, 2018 from http:// ative partners look forward to future www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/conserva- projects to assist DFO with the tion/news-nouvelles-eng.html science-based information necessary 4. Clayton, L. and G. Dennison. 2017. to protect these unique glass sponge Inexpensive video drop-camera for reefs. Although MPAs provide some surveying sensitive benthic habitats: protection to ecosystems, they do not applications from glass sponge reefs provide full protection for marine life in Howe Sound, BC. Canadian Field- (as noted with the MPA and fisheries Naturalist 131: 46-54. closures above) compared to sanctu- 5. Conway, K.W., J.V. Barrie, W.C. Austin aries where no extraction would be and J.L. Luternauer.1991. Holocene permitted. Nonetheless, MPAs are an sponge bioherms on the western important step forward in the protec- Canadian continental shelf. Continen- tion of fragile benthic ecosystems in tal Shelf Research 11:771-790. pursuit of sustainable fisheries and 6. Haggarty, D. 2013. Rockfish Conserva- marine life. tion Areas in BC: Our Current State of Thank you to the amazing MLSS Knowledge. David Suzuki Foundation. team of citizen science researchers, 7. Lamb A. and B. Hanby. 2005. Marine educators and divers. Life of the Pacific Northwest. A Photo- graphic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Sheila Byers, a Registered Professional Seaweed and Selected Fishes. Harbour Biologist and marine biologist, is the Publishing. 398 pp. Past President and a current Director 8. McAuley, L. 2017. Howe Sound Glass of the MLSS since 2007. She has been Sponge Reef Identification. Report on a member of Nature Vancouver, and behalf of MLSS to DFO. 39 pp. has sat on the Marine Biology Section 9. Stone, R.P., K.W. Conway, D.J. Csepp, Planning Committee, since 2002. Sheila and J.V. Barrie. 2014. The Boundary is a Museum Interpreter at the Beaty Reefs: Glass Sponge (Porifera: Hexac- Biodiversity Museum, UBC. tinellidae) Reefs on the International Select References Border Between Canada and the United States. NOAA Technical Memoran- 1. W.J. Ballantine, Father of marine dum NMFS-AFSC-264: 31pp. conservation in New Zealand. 11. Vachon, A. and K. Kushneryk. 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from Rockfish Conservation Areas in the Salish https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Sea: Compliance and Community-Based Bill_Ballantine_(biologist) Initiatives 2015-2017. Report to 2. Canada Department of Fisheries and supervisors Dr. Natalie Ban and Jenna Oceans. 2018. Glass sponge aggregations Falk, University of Victoria, School of in Howe Sound: locations, reef status, and Environmental Studies.

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