Roy Mulder
President, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia
Howe Sound has seen some very positive recent developments. The closure of a pulp mill and the remediation at the Britannia mine site have allowed for some of Howe Sound’s health to rebound. This is a tremendous opportunity provided we take the measures required to allow for a full rebound.
The fish stocks in Howe Sound have been reduced to a fraction of their former numbers. Where once there were abundant stocks of copper, tiger, yellowtail, black, quillback and yellowtail rockfish, only a few remain. Some rockfish can live over a hundred years and don’t survive if caught and released.
Recently with the help of citizen scientists we have discovered some huge cloud sponge (aphrocallistes vastus) bioherms in Howe Sound. These sponges composed of silicate, provide ideal habitat for fish and other creatures. These magnificent white, orange and green sponges virtually cover the top of some of the deep-water reefs. A few can be found within diving range and are being studied.
Others have been documented by a deep water drop camera that Glen Dennison has manufactured. These are the same sponges that were found on the outer west coast of British Columbia and given protected status.
The Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia has started a voluntary no-take marine sanctuary at all of the sites in Howe Sound that are currently designated as Rockfish Conservation Areas. MLSS feels that the RCA designation doesn’t do enough to protect rockfish, as several other methods of fishing (that still catch rockfish) are still legal within the RCAs. Using a community based education and stewardship program MLSS has been visiting communities in Howe Sound to show them why protection is needed. The RCAs in Howe Sound resulted from earlier work done by the Underwater Council of BC to create protected areas around the mooring buoy dive sites.
There have been observations of Pacific white-sided dolphins, a grey whale, and even six-gill sharks in Howe Sound recently. We need to create marine sanctuaries to allow it to return to its’ former health.■
Master diver Mike Hughes takes you on a whirl wind tour of the inner sanctum of Inner Puget Sound. 
Often called the “Sunrise Side” because it is located on the east shoreline of Michigan, Alpena calls to divers from out of the past.
When you think of diving for tropical fish, you probably don’t think of Rhode Island...especially in late September.
Come visit Isla de Guadalupe with writer Bruce Watkins and see the best place to observe and photograph these fascinating animals.
Meet the newest member of the Dive News Network, and no we aren't talking about a person!
For over 15 years Ernie Arellano has been in the forefront of dive industry innovations for other companies but now Arellano is striking out on his own. 
