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Note the large reef just off Banks Island (left)

Glass sponge reef ‘life form’ (bioherm) dates from Jurassic.

The reefs in Hecate presumably date back 9,000 years. Growing one on another they have slowly reached heights of 50 feet in places.

So, today we have an exceptional opportunity and maybe a last chance to learn more about these "living fossil reefs" and their (paleo)envirnoment and therefore we should use it

Also see good write-up on SpruceRoots web site emphasizing the reefs off the QCIs.

WWF (Prince Rupert) presented

Kim Conway lectures

Alright so the picture didn’t work – here is a better one

Conways’ Reef site

(lots of info)

Source for map

PSARC paper on DFO site

Dr Manfred Krautter

Best site ; uses frames

for significance and details of sponge reefs in time and details of BC’s Hecate reef.

Reefs Globally Unique

This sponge sample was passed around at the WWF lecture—

Damaging this “ultra-conservative’ sponge reef by trawlers is a key concern.

Hopefully this unique ecosystem will be preserved both by formal regulation and co-operation from trawlers.

Other info	See my page on Hexactinosan Sponges biology
	This University research site good for both paleontology and biology