Western Honguedo Strait Coral Conservation Area
Approximate Area: 49569.83 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, such as large and small sea pens, which are 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.