Sponges

Seven species of Hexactinellid sponges ("glass sponges") were discovered in B.C. waters in the 1980s. They are the only known living specimens on the planet. Glass sponges were formed after the last ice age, they are extremely fragile and sensitive to disturbance. Scientists believe that the largest specimens may be 200 years old, and their rate of recovery may be 0-7 centimetres per year.

Sponges provide habitat for rockfish, spider and king crabs, shrimp, prawns, euphasids, annelid worms, bryozoans, rare bivalves and gastropods, sea stars and urchins.

Four areas of the coast have been closed to trawlers to protect B.C.’s globally unique Hexactinellid sponge reefs. In 2006 Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) expanded the closures around B.C.’s globally unique glass sponges.