Feasibility assessment results: Central Coast of BC proposed national marine conservation area reserve

Background

In 2019, the Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais and Heiltsuk Nations (Central Coast Nations) continued their collective journey to advance marine stewardship and protection in their territories. These Nations approached Parks Canada with a proposal to consider establishing a national marine conservation area reserve (NMCAR) in the Central Coast of British Columbia. From 2021 to 2024, these Nations worked together with the governments of Canada and British Columbia to determine whether establishing an NMCAR on the Central Coast was feasible and, if so, under what conditions.

Geographic location

Located within the Great Bear Sea/Northern Shelf Bioregion and the Queen Charlotte Sound marine region, the NMCAR study area is adjacent to the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the world’s largest intact temperate rainforests. The area is characterized by islands, rocky headlands, and steep fjords. It also has a diverse array of marine life including whales, fishes, coral and sponge reefs, kelp forests and eelgrass beds. Nations have stewarded and called this region home for millennia. The area is critical for community members’ cultural, spiritual, and economic wellbeing, including food security.

Steering committee

A steering committee was established to guide the NMCAR feasibility assessment. It is made up of representatives from the four Central Coast Nations, Parks Canada, and the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. As the process advanced, representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada also began participating. The Gitga’at and Gitxaala Nations requested to expand the study area further north into key areas of their territories. Following this, representatives of these Nations began attending Steering Committee meetings as observers.

There is a long and rich history of marine planning in the region. This includes individual Nations’ Marine Use Plans, the Marine Plan Partnership, and the Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan. The Steering Committee was able to rely on a wealth of previously collected Indigenous knowledge and western science to support the feasibility assessment. The Steering Committee led additional engagement on the NMCAR proposal that included community open houses, bilateral meetings with stakeholder groups, and public outreach.

Results of feasibility assessment: feasible and desirable

Based on information gathered and compiled during the feasibility assessment, the Steering Committee has determined that protecting the Central Coast of BC as an NMCAR under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act is both feasible and desirable.

An NMCAR presents an opportunity to advance collective conservation objectives and protect important cultural and ecological values including multiple species at risk.

The Steering Committee recommends the parties, along with the Gitxaala and Gitga’at Nations as partners:

• advance to the next step of the establishment process and negotiate a legally binding establishment agreement
• identify a name for the NMCAR that reflects the Nations’ cultures and values
• consider a 7800 km² boundary that closely aligns with areas recommended for protection in the endorsed Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan, which would contribute 0.12% toward Canada's marine conservation targets of 30% by 2030

The Nations will continue to advance the designation of Indigenous protected and conserved areas, using their laws and authorities, to create dual designation(s) with the NMCAR. Agreement on the recommended boundary and NMCAR establishment is subject to the Terms and Conditions, which will be addressed during the negotiation phase of the establishment process.