October 28th, 2016 — Representatives of local fishing enterprises are worried that a recent push to designate the Baltimore Canyon as a marine sanctuary off the coast of Ocean City could put the area out of bounds to all anglers.
The National Aquarium on Monday launched a petition to establish the 28-mile long, five-mile wide submarine rift as its first Urban National Marine Sanctuary. The canyon contains several fragile deep-sea corals rarely seen anywhere else in the world. According to the nonprofit, this measure would protect its ecosystem and restrict the offshore exploration of minerals, oil and gas.
“The Baltimore Canyon is an aquatic treasure!” National Aquarium Chief Conservation Officer Kris Hoellen said. “It contains fragile deep sea corals rarely seen anywhere in the world as well as unique biological processes, such as methane seeps. Based on its ecological value, these corals and biological processes are irreplaceable and should be protected.”
That canyon is also a popular destination of Ocean City’s multi-million-dollar fishing industry, which could be left on the outside looking in if the standard sanctuary restrictions apply.