National Centre of Expertise – Cold-Water Corals and Sponge Reefs
The Centre of Expertise (CoE) in Cold-Water Corals and Sponge Reefs, established in 2008, is located at the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Centre of Expertise coordinates the Government of Canada's approach to cold-water coral and sponge conservation. In addition, the centre:
- Provides strategic advice to senior management;
- Supports regional, national, and international efforts for coral and sponge conservation; and
- Develops tools and approaches to improve coral and sponge conservation in Canada.
As a part of its mandate the CoE has developed a communications approach which includes the creation of products used to promote awareness of coral and sponge conservation in Canada. One example of this is the our DVD titled, Diving into the Deep: Coral and Sponge Conservation in Canada. This DVD is targeted toward the fishing industry.
Cold-Water Corals and Sponges
In Canada, corals and sponges are found in the Pacific, eastern Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans. Coral and sponge provide complex three dimensional habitat which is important for a variety of deep sea species.
Figure 1 Coral – Primnoa resedaeformis – Scotian Shelf, Atlantic Ocean
Figure 2 Coral – Paragorgia arborea – Scotian Shelf, Atlantic Ocean
Figure 3 Sponge – Mycale bellabellensis – Learmonth Bank, Pacific Ocean
Figure 4 Sponge – Mycale bellabellensis – Learmonth Bank, Pacific Ocean
Figure 5 Sponge – Farrea occa – Learmonth Bank, Pacific Ocean
Figure 6 – Keratoisis grayi (=K. ornata) and Anthomastus sp. – Southwest Grand Banks, Atlantic Ocean
Figure 7 Primnoa resedaeformis (R), and Anthomastus sp. (L) – Scotian Shelf, Atlantic Ocean
Figure 8 Coral – Paragorgia johnsoni – Scotian Shelf, Atlantic Ocean
Figure 9 Coral – Anthomastus sp. (L), Octocoral sp. (purple/centre), Desmophyllum dianthus (R) – Scotian Shelf, Atlantic Ocean
Figure 10 Coral – Paragorgia arborea – Scotian Shelf, Atlantic Ocean
Figure 11 A variety of sponges – Learmonth Bank, Pacific Ocean
Slow growth rates, longevity, and habitat-limiting factors make corals and sponges particularly vulnerable to physical impacts both directly and indirectly. Corals and sponges can be adversely affected by a broad range of impacts, many of which are associated with human activities including: fishing (e.g. bottom impact fishing), oil and gas exploration and development, and submarine cable and pipeline installation. Ocean acidification, as a result of climate change, is also impacting these species.
The responsibilities of countries to implement conservation measures for cold-water coral and sponges, are defined in international conventions and agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and United Nations General Assembly Resolution (UNGA) 61/105.
For more information on coral and sponge conservation in Canada see: Status Report on Coral and Sponge Conservation in Canada.
Health of the Oceans Initiatives
In 2007, the Government of Canada announced funding for various initiatives to protect fragile marine environments, counter pollution, and strengthen preventive measures. Among the Health of the Oceans (HOTO) initiatives was the establishment of four national Oceans Centres of Expertise (CoE) in Coastal Management, Cold-Water Coral and Sponge Reefs, State of the Oceans Reporting, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
Contact
Ecosystems Management Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador Region
P.O. Box 5667, St. John’s, NL A1C 5X1
Email: corals-coraux@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Date Modified:
- 2013-04-22