Canada's Ocean, Freshwater & US

North of Bennett Bank Coral Conservation Area

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Approximate Area: 82114.29 hectares
Date of Designation: 2017
Conservation Objectives

To protect cold-water coral habitat.

Prohibitions

All fishing that uses bottom-contact gear is prohibited in the area.

Why (environmental context for protection)

The conservation area is home to many cold-water corals, especially large sea pens, which are long-lived, fragile, and slow to recover when hurt. When not protected, corals can easily be damaged by fishing or other human activities that come into contact with the sea floor. Corals form structures that act as spawning and breeding grounds, nurseries, and refuges for other aquatic species. Other species in the area include rays and wolffish.