On April 4, 2017 the IUCN released a report in order to advance the recognition and conservation of globally significant natural marine sights in the Arctic.
"Tucked between Greenland and Canada and spilling into the eastern entrance of the Northwest Passage, this area holds the Arctic’s largest polynya. In early spring, a bloom of phytoplankton feeds seabirds and marine mammals, including an enormous colony of little auks, narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales. The area is vulnerable to shipping and shipping infrastructure, oil exploration and tourism interest in the Northwest Passage."
