Disko Fan Marine Refuge
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On this page
- At-a-glance
- Biodiversity conservation benefits
- Ecosystem
- Management and conservation
- Research and monitoring
- Activity application
- Outreach and engagement
- Contact us
- Publications
- Related links
At-a-glance
Disko Fan Marine Refuge
Location
Eastern Arctic Bioregion (Nunavut)
Size (km²)
About 7,485 km²
Percent coverage contribution to Marine Conservation Targets
About 0.13 %
Date of recognition
December 2017
Establishment mechanism
The area is closed to all commercial fishing through variation order and license conditions under the Fisheries Act
Biodiversity conservation benefits
Important species benefits
- Cold-water corals (that is, large gorgonian corals, including large tracts of globally unique and high-density bamboo corals)
- Narwhal
Important habitat benefits
- Cold-water corals (for example, significant concentrations of large gorgonian corals, including large tracts of globally unique, high-density bamboo corals), play an important functional role for numerous forms of marine life. They provide structural habitat for benthic species.
Prohibitions
The biodiversity conservation benefits are effectively conserved by prohibiting commercial fishing activities.
Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) Protection Standard
All existing and foreseeable activities are assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the risks they pose to the biodiversity conservation benefits are effectively avoided or mitigated. For more information, please visit Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) Protection Standard.
Ecosystem
Disko Fan Marine Refuge was named after the large glacial alluvial fan, which partially overlaps with this area.
This area was identified as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area in 2011 based on oceanographic characteristics, its function as an overwintering habitat for narwhal and the presence of several species of cold-water coral, which are fragile and slow to recover. Narwhal are an important species for Inuit communities for social, cultural and economic purposes.
Conservation benefits are also conferred to sperm whales and Northern bottlenose whales that use the area, as well as to benthic fish species and invertebrates including those of commercial importance (for example, Greenland halibut and Northern shrimp). Many species use the structural habitat for various purposes, including:
- spawning
- breeding
- nurseries
Prohibiting bottom-contact gear can protect not only the corals but also diverse populations of other species of fish and invertebrates that use the habitat. This area can act as a natural refuge area that may contribute to increased species productivity, which in turn, could potentially lead to increased abundance within and adjacent to the area.
Management and conservation
A management plan is currently being drafted for the three Eastern Arctic Marine Refuges.
Research and monitoring
Survey tools used to study Marine Refuges and other sensitive benthic habitats in the Canadian Arctic
including Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ASTRID abord the CCGS Amundsen (left), box core (middle)
and
CTD-Rosette for seawater sampling (right).
Photo credit: John O'brien.
In the Eastern Canadian Arctic Marine Refuges, we are using unintrusive survey tools such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and drop cameras (cameras connected to a cage and rope that take videos and sometimes include water column sensors or water sampling equipment) to collect samples and imagery of the seafloor to evaluate the diversity and abundance of corals and sponges in these areas. Analysis of water samples of the sea floor provide complementary information that helps us understand these habitats, from availability of calcium carbonate, which cold-water corals use to build skeletons, to general biodiversity in the area by analyzing the environmental DNA (eDNA) present.
Sediments collected using box cores allow us to evaluate the quantity, quality and sources of organic material that supply these deep-sea habitats along with the diversity of small, sediment-dwelling invertebrates that play important roles in carbon and nutrient cycling.
Research Spotlight
Dense fields of sea pens (Ptilella grandis), whip-like octocorals (Radicipes) and glass
sponges (Asconema)
in Disko Fan Marine Refuge.
Photo credit: DFO-Arctic and DFO-NL.
The Bamboo Coral forests discovered at Disko Fan around 900 m depth are globally unique, but move a little shallower (600 m) and you will also find exceptional concentrations of sea pens (Ptilella grandis), shown here from drop camera footage taken in 2023.
Activity application
Please email DFO.EAMarineRefuges-RefugesMarinsAE.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca if you are interested in conducting research or monitoring in the Marine Refuges.
Outreach and engagement
Please refer to our educational worksheet and discussion questions that accompany The Arctic's Marine Refuges animated video:
- The Arctic's Marine Refuges - Discussion questions for teachers
- The Arctic's Marine Refuges - Worksheet
- The Arctic's Marine Refuges - Worksheet answer key
Contact us
EA Marine Refuges / Refuges Marins AE: DFO.EAMarineRefuges-RefugesMarinsAE.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Publications
- Biodiversity Monitoring Stations for Benthic Megafauna in the Disko Fan, 2022
- Disko Fan marine refuge - Case study
Related links
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