Letter re Howe Sound Sponge Reefs

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Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
 
 
700 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC  V0R 1X3 
Telephone  250-247-2063    Fax  250-247-7514 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 604.660.2421  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  northinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
August 30, 2018 File No. GM-6410-03 
 
Aleria Ladwig 
Ecosystems Approach Officer 
Resource Management 
Fisheries and Oceans Canada 
200-401 Burrard Street 
Vancouver, BC, V6C 3S4 
 
Via Email:  Aleria.ladwig@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
 
Subject: Protecting the Howe Sound Sponge Reefs 
 
Dear Ms Ladwig, 
 
I am writing on behalf of the Gambier Island Local Trust Committee in support of permanently closing all 
Glass Sponge reef/garden sites in the Atl’Kitsem/Howe Sound area to commercial and recreational fishing 
activity. 
 
The Gambier Local Trust Committee is part of the Islands Trust, a federation of island communities that was 
decreed by the provincial government to preserve and protect the sensitive ecosystems and rural 
communities of the Southern Gulf and Howe Sound islands. 
 
The Islands Trust has prioritized the protection of marine areas in this term’s strategic plan through advocacy 
and education.  The Local Trust Committee prioritizes the protection of ocean ecological systems throughout 
the Official Community Plans of Keats, Gambier, Anvil and other Associated Islands. The Atl’Kitsem/Howe 
Sound glass sponge reefs are of particular interest given the growing evidence of the important role they play 
in promoting bio-diversity in the marine environment.  As this area continues to recover from a history of 
intense industrial activity, the discovery and protection of the glass sponge biotherms is an important goal for 
all islanders. 
 
The Gambier Island Local Trust Committee also considers that increased enforcement capabilities of Fisheries 
and Oceans Canada (DFO) in the Howe Sound area are a vital part of the overall initiative to protect the glass 
sponges.  There is disturbing anecdotal evidence of increased fishing pressure on Rockfish protection areas 
once they are identified as restricted.  Many residents on the islands in Atl’Kitsem/Howe Sound are willing to 
engage in citizen monitoring, but they find it frustrating when their calls are not followed up on.  Please 
continue to maintain a local office in the Howe Sound region and consider increasing the presence of DFO 
officers as part of the overall protection for glass sponges in Atl’Kitsem/Howe Sound. 
 
Best Regards 
 
 
 
Susan Morrison 
Chair, Gambier Island Local Trust Committee - smorrison@islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
Copy: Gambier Island Local Trust Committee – GambierIslandLocalTrustCommittee@islandstrust.bc.ca  
 Clare Frater, Director, Trust Area Services, Islands Trust – cfrater@islandstrust.bc.ca

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