Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon: Protecting the Central Coast

Six Partner Nations, Canada and British Columbia are working together to protect extraordinary marine ecosystems while supporting thriving coastal communities and sustainable marine livelihoods.

What is Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon?

Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon (pronunciation: Me-ah-yall-twa Ha-lee-joh-gom hOH-ownis) is an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) and National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR) on British Columbia’s Central Coast. Together, these designations demonstrate First Nation leadership, collaborative governance, long-term marine conservation and sustainable marine use.

The name is a hybrid place name created from the languages of the six partner Nations and means “Realm of the Salmon, World of the Salmon.”

The name reflects the deep cultural, ecological and spiritual importance of salmon to the Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Heiltsuk, Gitxaała and Gitga’at Nations, and symbolizes the Nations coming together in shared purpose to protect and steward these waters.

Why it Matters

HEALTHY OCEANS
These waters support salmon, whales, herring, kelp forests, seabirds, coral and sponge reefs.

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Healthy oceans support food security, cultures, fisheries, tourism, recreation and local economies.

FUTURE GENERATIONS
Protecting these waters today helps sustain resilient ecosystems facing multiple threats, such as climate change, and coastal communities tomorrow.

Shared stewardship begins with shared responsibility.

Shared Vision for Marine Protection

Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon brings together partnering Nation leadership, knowledge and stewardship responsibilities with Parks Canada and British Columbia. Future decisions will be guided collaboratively through management planning, a management board and advisory input from communities, marine sectors and stakeholders.

What Happens Next?

NOW

Establishment Agreement signed on May 22, 2026

NEXT

Management board and advisory committee created

THEN

Management planning begins

ONGOING

Community and stakeholder engagement

LONG TERM

Collaborative implementation and operations

What Activities can Continue?

Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon is not a blanket closure. Future management planning will determine where zones are places, working to balance conservation with sustainable marine use.

Frequently Asked Questions

An Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) is an area where Indigenous governments lead conservation based on their knowledge, governance and stewardship responsibilities. IPCAs protect ecosystems while supporting Indigenous rights, local economies, cultures and responsibilities to care for the land and waters.

A National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR) is established under Parks Canada to conserve marine ecosystems while allowing ecologically sustainable use. Unlike fully closed marine protected areas, NMCARs are designed to balance conservation with activities such as fishing, tourism, recreation and research.

Together they create a stronger conservation model.

The IPCA recognizes Indigenous leadership and stewardship, while the NMCAR provides long-term federal support for marine conservation. Together they support shared vision for marine protection between the Partner Nations, Canada and British Columbia.

No.

The designation establishes a working boundary for future management planning.

The area will include different management zones that balance marine conservation with sustainable use.

Yes.

Commercial and recreational fishing are expected to continue, subject to future management planning and zoning developed collaboratively with partnering Nations, Canada, and BC, with input from locals, coastal user groups, marine sectors and others.

Yes.

Tourism, boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing and recreation are expected to continue while helping support healthy marine ecosystems.

Future management will be guided collaboratively by the six Partner Nations, Canada and British Columbia through a management board and supported by advisory committees representing communities, stakeholders and marine sectors.

Management planning is just beginning.

There will be future opportunities for communities, stakeholders, marine users and residents to participate in engagement and provide input.