Indentification, distribution and conservation of deep-sea corals in Canada's northwest Atlantic

Deep-sea corals are long-lived, slow-growing benthic animals and are generally considered important for deep-sea biodiversity. Deep-sea corals in Newfoundland, Labrador, and eastern Canadian Arctic waters were mapped using incidental by-catch from multispecies scientific surveys and fisheries observations. To date (2004-2009), 44 deep-sea coral species have been documented, including 33 octocorals, eight scleractinians and three antipatharians. Coral distributions were highly clustered, with most species co-occurring in fishing sets. Five coral species diversity and abundance hotspots were delineated: Hudson Strait region, Labrador shelf edge and slope, Orphan Spur - Tobin's Point, Flemish Pass and southwest Grand Banks shelf edge and slope. Corals are under threat from bottom tending fishing. Impacts from mobile and fixed gears can include dislodgement, breakage, and complete removal. Although several protected areas have been established and other candidates have been identified, protective measures for deep-sea coral in Newfoundland and Labrador are insufficient