The Story

About 71% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, and the oceans hold roughly 96.5% of all of Earth's water. To this day we have explored less than 10% of the oceans. Just when we think we have an understanding of our oceans, something happens that reminds us just how little we know.

Glass sea sponges are some of the oldest and simplest animals on earth. They were thought to have been extinct for over 40 million years, but in 1987 Canadian scientists discovered an underwater oasis exploding with these gigantic reefs off the shores of Haida Gwaii. These reefs cover hundreds of square kilometers of sea floor, and can reach the height of an eight story building.

Glass sponge reefs grow in perfect conditions where the organism can take silica out of the water and use it to build its structure. Dr. Sally Leys, explains how remarkable a find it was to literally find living dinosaurs still existing off the west coast. Dr. Sally Leys founded Leys Labs at the University of Alberta, where she has dedicated her life to extensive research on these wonderful creatures built of glass.

In order to access these remote sites off the coast you have to use remote operated vehicles or deep-sea submersibles. Phil Nuytten of Nuytco Research Ltd in Vancouver, has Metis heritage, and is one of the world's leading experts in deep sea technology. He has even been referred to as the Leonardo DaVinci of our time. He takes us on an underwater journey in one of his submersibles to look at these wonderful glass sponge reefs and explains how technology can help us study the ocean.

Skill Jaada, a marine biologist from the Haida Nation, explains how they are taking this knowledge and using it to develop both a stewardship program and a marine protected area to ensure the survival of the glass sponges in their traditional territory. This is a clear example of how western and traditional knowledge of stewardship can work together to ensure a better future.

The Location

Haida Gwaii
Haida Gwaii
Watch on APTN
beginning January 9, 2025