Human Impacts >>
The maps  identify areas that have Cloud Sponges in shallow waters. However, many areas have not been assessed. 


Howe Sound


Jervis Inlet
 
 

The main skeleton of Cloud Sponges is formed of fused strands of glass. For this reason they are extremely fragile and are at risk of being shattered from human activities such as fishing and diving.

There are a number of ways in which the human impacts on these Sponge Gardens can be greatly reduced.

Are You A Prawn Fisher?

In Saanich Inlet sponges occur only
shallower than 230 ft. Here prawn fishers can avoid damaging sponges by keeping their traps below 250 ft.

However, in other inlets sponges may be destroyed at depths down to 400 feet.



Are You A Line Fisher?

Please lift up cannonballs and lines to shallower than 100 ft. when near known sponge gardens such as in Saanich Inlet.


Are you a Crab Fisher?

Please keep traps shallower than 100 ft.
And on soft bottoms
 


Practice outside the
   sponge beds

Avoid flailing kicks

Adjust your buoyancy to
  stay off bottom

Please look, photograph
   but don’t touch
 

Saanich Anchor Buoy Project