Canso Bank and Channels
Canso Bank and Channels is proposed as a Tier 2 site for the Marine Conservation Network in the Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy Bioregion.
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Location
Canso Bank and Channels is located approximately 45 km southeast of Canso, Nova Scotia. This area encompasses a portion of Canso Bank and some of the surrounding basin, channels, holes and mounds.
Simplified site coordinates
Boundaries are preliminary and subject to change following the public engagement.
Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 44°45' 57.2" N | 60°33' 0.4" W | Starting at point 1 on the southwest side of the site |
2 | 45°10' 1.3" N | 60°31' 24.1" W | Connect to point 2, north of point 1 |
3 | 45°9' 18.4" N | 59°37' 59.7" W | Connect to point 3, east of point 2 |
4 | 44°45' 5.2" N | 59°39' 22.5" W | Connect to point 4, south of point 3 and connect point 4 to point 1 |
Size
3 150 km2
Features
- Significant concentrations of sponges and sand dollars
- Foraging habitat for seabirds
- Important habitat for groundfish
- Area of high larval, fish and invertebrate diversity
- Area of high primary productivity
- Diverse habitat types include sandy banks, small channels, deep holes and mounds
- Representative examples of bank and basin habitats
Species
This area supports species, including:
- Sand lance
- Depleted groundfish populations, such as:
- Atlantic cod (assessed as endangered by COSEWIC)
- American plaice (assessed as threatened by COSEWIC)
- Thorny skate (assessed as special concern by COSEWIC)
- Atlantic Wolffish (listed as special concern under SARA)
- Sponges and sand dollars
Use
- Current fisheries include clam, groundfish (fixed and mobile gear), sea cucumber, snow crab, shrimp, swordfish and tuna.
- There is currently a moratorium on fishing cod and haddock on the Eastern Scotian Shelf.
- Licences issued to First Nations and Indigenous communities provide access to this area to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes.
- High amount of shipping traffic.
- Date modified: