4 Benefits of Designating Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary

The Hudson Canyon is the largest underwater canyon off the U.S.'s East Coast. It begins about 100 miles southeast of the Statue of Liberty and runs another 300 or so further off into the Atlantic. In depth and scale, it rivals the Grand Canyon. Everything from giant and threatened whales to deep-sea corals rely on the canyon.

Whether we are aware of it or not, we also depend on this rich environment. The huge diversity of species supports many local, commercial, and recreational fisheries, for instance.

WCS nominated Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary in November 2016. On June 8, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its intent to initiate the multi-year designation process.

Why do this? There would be a number of benefits.

Sanctuary designation would, in fact, permanently preclude offshore oil, gas, and mineral exploration and development in the canyon. Much needed protection for this important area.

Sanctuary designation would advance a future for the commercial and recreational?fisheries that rely on Hudson Canyon. WCS is advocating that it would allow fisheries to?continue to be managed by existing regional and federal?structures and not through any management plan?associated with the sanctuary designation plan as long as?their effective management maintains fish populations in?healthy?conditions.

A sanctuary designation would mean increased investment in research and monitoring,?including by assessing ocean noise and deepening our?understanding of the impacts of climate change on ocean?life and?resources. It would also mean increased investment in STEM education and workforce development. That funding would be targeted to marginalized? communities that have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields.

One of the world's fastest sharks. The largest toothed predators on Earth. Many animals depend on Hudson Canyon. All would benefit from the canyon being named a National Marine Sanctuary.

Speak out with us: Let the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) know how important it is to designate the Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary.