Banks Marine Refuge

Description

This profile includes several non-contiguous existing RCAs and an Ecological Reserve off the west coast of Banks Island and Artistazabal Island. The rocky shorelines on the southern end of Banks Island and the multiple archipelagos in this area support many intertidal species and promote extensive canopy-forming giant kelp and bull kelp stands providing important habitat for a diversity 262 of rockfish and invertebrates. The zones off the west coast of Aristazabal Island and the surrounding area are also important for rockfish as well as the life history of multiple marine birds and peregrine falcons. The zones also include multiple sealion haulouts. Zone 305 includes important coral or sponge assemblages.

The area is critically important to local First Nations, both culturally and spiritually, and for the harvest of sealion, marine and seabird resources. There are many sites of cultural and spiritual importance to First Nations, including the Gander Island IR.

The primary use of the area is by commercial fishers; however, because of the RCAs many types of fishing are already restricted. There are currently no tenured activities within the proposed zones.