The Hudson Canyon is an underwater canyon that is located southeast of New York City. It spans over 400 miles, and it is the largest canyon in the Atlantic Ocean. The Hudson Canyon is filled with biodiversity, some of which include deep-sea corals, marine mammals such as dolphins, and whales, and various other species. Its habitats are important for the survival of many of these marine organisms. 

However, the Hudson Canyon faces a number of threats, including commercial fishing, and oil and gas exploration. Overfishing fishing practices such as bottom trawling can cause irreversible harm to these underwater ecosystems.

In 2016, plans were put forward to designate the Hudson Canyon as a marine sanctuary, with a thorough review taking place in 2017. Following a comprehensive assessment by the NOAA over the course of 5 years, the Biden Administration in 2022 proposed the sanctuary’s designation, initiating the process. On June 8, 2022, there were public hearings to see community support regarding the sanctuary. Currently, the NOAA is in the “Sanctuary Proposal” stage, and they’ve established a Sanctuary Advisory Council composed of local community members. Most recently, the Advisory Council convened on April 2, 2024. 

Let us continue to demonstrate community support for the Hudson Canyon! By designating it as a marine sanctuary, it can be provided with the protection it needs by reducing harmful activities, as well as promoting scientific research and education.