Presentation Abstract
The Salish Sea is a marine bioregion of extraordinary biological, cultural, spiritual, and socioeconomic value. These waters have sustained indigenous and non-indigenous coastal communities over generations by providing food, cultural, economic, and ecological services. With the growing impacts of human activities and climate change, conservation strategies are needed to ensure the future health of the Salish Sea. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a tried-and-true conservation measure to protect an area’s natural and cultural resources. Public call for the establishment of an MPA within the Southern Strait of Georgia (SSoG), the waters surrounding the Canadian Gulf Islands near Victoria, started in 1970 in recognition of its rich and diverse ecosystem. An SSoG MPA was endorsed by Jacques Cousteau, who warned of significant declines in biodiversity if left unprotected. In 2003, Parks Canada and the BC government agreed to conduct a feasibility study for a Nation Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). Progress has been slow and NMCA establishment has faced many challenges. However, there is currently a window of opportunity for NMCA completion, with political commitments to MPAs and the environment at both provincial and federal levels in Canada. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has been working to establish the NMCA for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience from our involvement with Gwaii Haanas NMCA and other MPAs in Canada. CPAWS leads a coalition of conservation groups, scientists and stakeholders with the shared goal of building public awareness and support for the NMCA and informing the NMCA planning process. To support NMCA planning, CPAWS has commissioned spatial analyses of the area to gain a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of biodiversity and human activities throughout the area. CPAWS is also conducting community outreach and training initiatives to provide local advocates with the skills needed to build community support.
Session Title
Marine Protected Areas and Marine Spatial Planning: Challenges and Opportunities for Large-scale Ecosystem Protection and Integrated Management in the Salish Sea
Keywords
MPA, ENGO, Salish, Sea, Marine protected area
Conference Track
SSE8: Policy, Management, and Regulations
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE8-410
Start Date
6-4-2018 2:00 PM
End Date
6-4-2018 2:15 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Marine parks and reserves--Effect of human beings on--Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (B.C.); Feasibility studies--Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (B.C.)
Geographic Coverage
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (B.C.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Marine protected areas and the role of ENGOs in supporting MPA establishment within the Salish Sea
The Salish Sea is a marine bioregion of extraordinary biological, cultural, spiritual, and socioeconomic value. These waters have sustained indigenous and non-indigenous coastal communities over generations by providing food, cultural, economic, and ecological services. With the growing impacts of human activities and climate change, conservation strategies are needed to ensure the future health of the Salish Sea. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a tried-and-true conservation measure to protect an area’s natural and cultural resources. Public call for the establishment of an MPA within the Southern Strait of Georgia (SSoG), the waters surrounding the Canadian Gulf Islands near Victoria, started in 1970 in recognition of its rich and diverse ecosystem. An SSoG MPA was endorsed by Jacques Cousteau, who warned of significant declines in biodiversity if left unprotected. In 2003, Parks Canada and the BC government agreed to conduct a feasibility study for a Nation Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). Progress has been slow and NMCA establishment has faced many challenges. However, there is currently a window of opportunity for NMCA completion, with political commitments to MPAs and the environment at both provincial and federal levels in Canada. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has been working to establish the NMCA for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience from our involvement with Gwaii Haanas NMCA and other MPAs in Canada. CPAWS leads a coalition of conservation groups, scientists and stakeholders with the shared goal of building public awareness and support for the NMCA and informing the NMCA planning process. To support NMCA planning, CPAWS has commissioned spatial analyses of the area to gain a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of biodiversity and human activities throughout the area. CPAWS is also conducting community outreach and training initiatives to provide local advocates with the skills needed to build community support.
