This area’s corals, and sponges and seapens, forming dense concentrations on the sea floor, are important species that create structure on the seafloor and provide habitat for other species; this contributes to the overall biodiversity of the area. The area also includes deep water canyons which are known to be home to bottlenose whales as well as many other fish speices. This area was also designated in December 2017 as a marine refuge, in part, to contribute to an international agreement whereby Canada has committed to protect 10% of its marine and coastal areas by 2020.
This designation means that the area is currently closed to fisheries as Canada has used provisions under the Fisheries Act to close this area, and others to bottom contact fisheries. As such, there is no prohibition on other industrial activities as the Fisheries Act, despite the area being important habitat for many marines species. .
“The marine refuge is designated under the Fisheries Actat closure is under the Fisheries Act, and the Fisheries Act has no jurisdiction over oil and gas,” said Susanna Fuller, Marine Conservationist.
“There is also a need for the Offshore Petroleum Boards, that are a partnership between the federal and provincial governments to work proactively on not undermining efforts by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to protect marine diversity. Surely, the other 90% of the ocean is enough in which to pursue industrial extraction”.
Fuller also expressed concern that other organizations with an interest in this area, including the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, representatives of the fisheries industry and conservation organizations all agreed to protect this area.
Allowing oil and gas exploration while fishing is restricted in this area not only undermines conservation efforts – it also impacts the willingness of the fishing industry to cooperate on marine protection, when they see other industries permitted to continue in areas that they have agreed to set aside. flies in the face of common sense and conservation science, and could create tension with the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and also hinder current conservation efforts.