Fishing regulations to protect Pacific glass sponge reefs
You must follow Canada’s laws and regulations. Report fisheries violations to our 24/7 Observe, Record, Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
British Columbia's ancient glass sponge reefs are a globally unique ecosystem that are areas of high biodiversity and provide important habitat for many marine animals including salmon, spot prawns, rockfish, herring, halibut and sharks. Following consultations with First Nations, commercial and recreational harvesters, different levels of government, and conservation organizations, we have put in place measures to protect and conserve glass sponge reefs on British Columbia's south coast.
17 marine refuges have been established under the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reef Conservation Initiative to protect glass sponge reefs from all commercial, recreational, and Indigenous food, social, and ceremonial bottom-contact fishing activities. An additional 5 marine refuges are proposed where recreational and commercial fisheries closures are currently in place.
Strait of Georgia Marine Refuge
Strait of Georgia Glass Sponge Reef Marine Refuges
No commercial, recreational or Indigenous Food, Social and Ceremonial bottom-contact fishing activities are allowed within the areas listed below.
This includes fishing for:
- prawn by trap
- shrimp by trap and trawl
- crab by trap
- groundfish (including halibut) by trawl and hook-and-line
Maps and coordinates of closures:
Howe Sound Marine Refuge
Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reef Marine Refuges
No commercial, recreational or Indigenous Food, Social and Ceremonial bottom-contact fishing activities are allowed within the areas listed below.
This includes fishing for:
- prawn by trap
- shrimp by trap and trawl
- crab by trap
- groundfish (including halibut) by trawl and hook-and-line
The use of downrigger gear in recreational salmon trolling is also prohibited in these closed areas (except for Defence Islands) due to the potential risk of damage to the shallower reefs in Howe Sound.
Maps and coordinates of closures:
Howe Sound fishing closures
Howe Sound fishing closures to protect glass sponge reefs
Fisheries closures are currently in place to protect and conserve 5 glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound, with the aim of establishing marine refuges in the future. No commercial or recreational bottom-contact fishing activities are allowed within the areas listed below.
This includes fishing for:
- prawn by trap
- shrimp by trap and trawl
- crab by trap
- groundfish (including halibut) by trawl and hook-and-line
The use of downrigger gear in recreational salmon trolling is also prohibited in these areas due to the potential risk of damage to the shallower reefs in Howe Sound.
Maps and coordinates of closures:
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