“Sponges are not primitive. They are simple, yet sophisticated organisms. The value of sponges to humans is their capacity to build habitats that provide food for other marine life as well as us, and they hold a diversity of chemical structures significant for the development of antiviral drugs. Surely these are reasons enough to protect the sponges and their habitats.”
Tag: front page
Nature’s Own Artwork Under Threat
Marine Life Sanctuaries Society (MLSS BC) President, Glen Dennison, along with volunteer divers Greg McCracken and Tori Preddy, recently went back to check on one of the rare glass sponge reefs in Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound, and invited CBC News reporter, Susana da Silva, along to bring attention to these rare and endangered bioherms under threat of…
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MLSS Statement of Achievements
Reefs and Rockfish Protection
The MLSS, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society, is focused on protecting unique marine reefs and underwater environments.
Larval Settlement Project and Volunteer Divers 2020 by Sheila Byers
Larvae of the cloud sponge, Aphrocallistes vastus, the key reef-building species in Howe Sound (partnered with the fingered goblet sponge, Heterochone calyx), are known to disperse and mix genetically across the sponge reefs in the Salish Sea. But where are these larvae? Not only are the larvae microscopic and difficult to see or find, little…
Sharks in Vancouver Harbour
Sharks in Vancouver Harbour By Glen Dennison Infrequently, divers in Howe Sound were reporting encounters with the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus). Several of our dive team members had seen one. So, the question kept coming up, were these transient sharks transiting from Puget Sound? We understood that studies from the Seattle Aquarium had found…
MLSS Statement of Achievements
MLSS Howe Sound Statement of Achievements Dec 7, 2020 Recent narratives in the media whether directly, by omission or association, have failed to portray the significant role that MLSS has played in leading Citizen Science efforts to protect the glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound. Over the past several decades, MLSS discovered, mapped and protected…
MLSSBC starts REEF WATCHERS Pilot Program
News Release: June 7. 2020 – MLSSBC starts ‘Reef Watchers’ pilot program of watching over Howe Sound reefs. Stayed tuned for details.
Update: Straight of Georgia and Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reef Conservation Initiative
From: Finn, Deirdre Sent: January 27, 2020 5:13:02 PM Cc: Mar, Amy Subject: Update: Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reef Conservation Initiative Dear Stakeholder, The purpose of this email is to provide an update on recent activities of the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reef Conservation Initiative (the Initiative)…
Ground-truthing Glass Sponge Reefs from the CCGS Vector
On May 27, 2019 an early morning ride on BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale quickly found me on the Sunshine Coast heading for nearby Hopkins Landing. A Coast Guard zodiac with the Chief Research Scientist from DFO Habitat Ecology Program, Dr Anya Dunham, was at the dock waiting for several of us to…
8 More Glass Sponge Reef Refuges Created in Howe Sound
WE DID IT – THE GLASS SPONGE REEFS IN HOWE SOUND ARE PROTECTED!! March 6, 2019: Marine Life Sanctuaries Society and the Underwater Council of British Columbia are incredibly pleased and proud to learn that our hard work, dedication and commitment to protect the delicate glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound has come to fruition…
Marine Life Sanctuaries Society 