Hudson Bay to be declared as a National Marine Sanctuary

Hudson Canyon would be off-limits to oil and gas drilling

Commemorating World Oceans Day, The White House announced a new national marine sanctuary to preserve the Hudson Canyon. The proposal includes assigning the largest undersea Canyon on the Atlantic coast as one of the nation's next underwater parks. The Canyon is an ecological hotspot found approximately 100 miles off the coast of New York, and it reaches depths of 2.5 miles. This would make Hudson Canyon a national marine sanctuary. The vast gorge is home to many endangered species like whales, sea turtles, and sharks. Permanent federal protection would also be given to it.

Media reports noted that henceforth, Hudson Canyon would be off-limits to oil and gas drilling. Such restrictions are aimed at protecting marine life and cold-water coral. As per the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium, Hudson Canyon would be the first national marine sanctuary off New York and New Jersey. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of central California, was also designated as a National Marine Sanctuary by Biden. In addition to conservation and education, the agency said that the Hudson Canyon site could also be used as an environmental indicator to monitor the effects of climate change. The exact boundaries of the park are yet to be decided.