Banks marine refuge
Note:
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On this page
At-a-glance
Map: Banks marine refuge
Note:
This marine refuge is within the Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan (NAP). The implementation of the NAP will be advanced and supported by the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence initiative (endorsed in 2024 by 17 First Nations, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada). Banks is among the first of 3 marine refuges recognized under this initiative.
This marine refuge is co-managed by Gitxaała Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and aims to contribute to the identified goals of the NAP.
Location
Northern Shelf Bioregion (British Columbia)
Size (km2) contribution to Marine Conservation Targets
About 437.24 km2
% coverage contribution to Marine Conservation Targets
About <0.01%
Date of recognition
03-11-2025
Establishment mechanism
Variation order under the Fisheries Act
Partner First Nation
Gitxaała First Nation
Biodiversity conservation benefits
Protection of rockfish and their habitat, corals and sponges to contribute to long-term conservation and species biodiversity.
Species of regional importance
Rockfish, corals and sponges.
This marine refuge will contribute to the conservation of a diversity of species, populations, and ecological communities, and their viability in changing environments. It includes rare, unique and/or threatened species such as:
- rockfish
- corals
- sponges
Habitats of regional importance
Rockfish habitat, including kelp beds, eelgrass beds and rocky reefs.
This marine refuge will conserve areas of high biological richness and diversity, such as:
- highly productive kelp beds
- eelgrass beds
- habitat-forming structures like corals and sponges
Prohibitions
The biodiversity conservation benefits are provided through the following prohibitions:
- all Rockfish Conservation Area closures remain in effect within the areas indicated on the map
- additional prohibitions to commercial and recreational fishing for prawn or crab by trap
Other considerations
No human activities that pose risk to the biodiversity conservation benefits may occur or be foreseeable within the area.
Ecosystem
Many rockfish species in British Columbia are in decline and are of conservation concern. The Banks site entirely overlaps 3 existing Rockfish Conservation Areas and the addition of closures to prawn and crab by trap fishing further protects rockfish from bycatch and the damage to their habitat and fragile corals and sponges. These prohibitions can also protect the services (e.g., refuge, habitat, foraging and nursery areas) that these structures provide to many aquatic species that use the pelagic and benthic areas.
Related links
- Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network Action Plan in the Northern Shelf Bioregion (Great Bear Sea)
- Protecting more of our marine ecosystems together, for future generations | Prime Minister of Canada
- Indigenous-led marine conservation: Project Finance for Permanence
- Date modified: