Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Marine Protected Area
Location: Juan de Fuca Ridge, British Columbia; Offshore Pacific bioregion
Approximate Area: 9,700 hectares
Date of Designation: 2003
Conservation Objectives
To conserve the biological diversity, productivity, structural habitat and ecosystem function of the hydrothermal vents.
Prohibitions
Activities that disturb, damage, destroy or remove living marine organisms or any part of their habitat are prohibited, unless given an exception.
Why (environmental context for protection)
Hydrothermal vents have the highest levels of microbial diversity and animal abundance in the world. The Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents host 60 distinct species that are native to the region, with 12 species being found nowhere else in the world.