Each is home to a unique and diverse assemblage of animals. There are at least 47 seamounts within the TḥT AOI (over 70% of OPB seamounts). Hydrothermal vents are best known for their ~400☌ water, giant chimney structures, “black smokers”, and dense fields of tubeworms. These vents support endemic animals (found nowhere else on the planet) which survive and thrive by using chemosynthetic energy fueled by the superheated water (i.e., not photosynthetic energy fueled by the sun). These geological features are found nowhere else in Canada but the Pacific Ocean, the majority of which would be protected by the proposed TḥT MPA.Īll known hydrothermal vent fields and associated features within Canada are within the TḥT AOI. Humans also benefit from many hydrothermal vent and seamount ecosystem services, such as food, climate regulation, biogeochemical cycling, cultural services, etc. These biological hotspots range in depth from 3,500 m to 270 m, providing habitat, shelter, food, spawning grounds, nurseries, etc., and enhancing ocean productivity for kilometers around.

A dense network of hydrothermal vents (fountains of superheated and mineral-enriched water) and seamounts (ancient volcanic mountains over 1,000 m tall) shape the region’s ocean floor. ɢwan – ḥačx wiqak – Tsig̱is (TḥT) MPA is home to remarkably abundant and diverse marine wildlife owing to the region’s unique geology. We have identified a portion of the Offshore Pacific Bioregion as an Area of Interest (AOI) for consideration as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) under Canada's Oceans Act for the purposes of protecting significant marine areas. Ocean Networks Canada: A smoker, Sully Vent, Main Endeavour Vent, EHV MPA Large marine protected areas (MPAs) may capture one or more examples of significant areas (e.g., EBSAs) while also ensuring that particular elements of biodiversity (e.g., species, communities) and some physical characteristics (e.g., oceanographic properties, geological features) are protected.

Large marine areas typically contain several ecosystems and habitats that interact ecologically at various spatial scales, therefore allowing for holistic conservation opportunities. Science shows that there are benefits linked to protecting large marine areas in a precautionary manner. In 2016, Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs), including seamounts and hydrothermal vents, were identified in the Offshore Pacific Bioregion by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science in accordance with a combination of national (DFO) and international (e.g., United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity) criteria for identifying EBSAs. a Quatsino word referring to a monster of the deep (Tsig̱is phonetic spelling: tsee-geese).a Nuu-chah-nulth and Pacheedaht word meaning deepest part of the ocean (ḥačx wiqak phonetic spelling: huch/khwi/kuk).

ɢwan phonetic spelling: Tung – Gwun, where G is a voiced uvular stop) a Haida word meaning deep ocean (Tang.Meaning of AOI name and phonetic pronunciation To conserve, protect and enhance understanding of unique seafloor features, including seamounts and hydrothermal vents, and the marine ecosystems they support in the proposed MPA. Approximate size (km 2)ġ33,019 km 2 Approximate % of Canada’s ocean territory Located on average 150 km from the coast of Vancouver Island in Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Pacific Ocean. West of Vancouver Island, British Columbia Offshore Pacific Bioregion (OPB).

Processes pronunciation eez