Canada Protects 93% of Underwater Mountains off British Columbia with Support from First Nations | Oceana

Victory | June 20, 2024

Canada Protects 93% of Underwater Mountains off British Columbia with Support from First Nations

Canada has designated 133,017 square kilometers (more than 51,000 square miles) of underwater mountains – known as seamounts – off the West Coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia as its newest and largest marine protected area (MPA). Named Tang. ɢwan · ḥačxʷiqak · Tsig̱is, this protection will prevent activities such as bottom-contact fishing, dumping, and oil and gas exploration and development, safeguarding marine life and ocean ecosystems from irreparable damage. Co-managed by Haida, Nuu-chah-nulth, Pacheedaht, and Quatsino First Nations, this new MPA contributes to Canada’s commitment to protect 30% of its oceans by 2030. Oceana Canada campaigned for this protection beginning in 2018, including conducting a deep-sea expedition to the area in partnership with the Haida Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Ocean Networks Canada. During the expedition, the team identified centuries-old forests of red tree corals and glass sponges, crucial habitats for diverse marine species including sea lilies, basket stars, octopuses, and long-lived rockfish.  By permanently safeguarding these ecologically vital seamounts, Canada is supporting ocean health and helping rebuild abundant, healthy wild fisheries that coastal communities, our economy, and the planet all depend on.