Parent Bank Sponge Conservation Area

To protect cold-water sponge habitat.

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

The conservation area features a high concentration of cold-water sponges, which are fragile and slow to recover when damaged. When not protected, sponges can easily be damaged by fishing or other human activities that come into contact with the sea floor. Cold-water sponges create structures that offer refuge, feeding, and rearing areas for many other underwater species, and so support greater biodiversity. The area is also home to corals such as “sea strawberry” corals, rays, and wolffish.