MPA Network Partners Endorse Plan to Protect Great Bear Sea
After more than a decade of work, 15 coastal First Nations and federal and provincial governments, jointly endorse the Great Bear Sea MPA Network.
marine protected areas
Central Coast Nations Aim to Create a National Marine Conservation Area Reserve
The Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nations have signed a begun a collaborative process to establish a new National Marine Conservation Reserve.
Five Things You Should Know About Rockfish and Marine Protection
Since 2013, CCIRA has been using science and traditional knowledge to build the most extensive database for rockfish ever compiled for the Central Coast. This growing body of work is providing insights that can help improve the design of the Marine Protected Areas network…
MPA network update
Work continues on the Canada-British Columbia Marine Protected Area Network Strategy—a government-to-government-to-government effort to create a marine protected area network within 13 bioregions in Canada, including the Central Coast of BC. This work—co-led by provincial and federal agencies along with 17 First Nations (including Central Coast Nations)—is critical to protect marine resources that are in…
New CCIRA study identifies key habitats for rockfish conservation
What’s at stake when it comes to conservation of fish populations on the Central Coast? Frank Johnson of the Wuikinuxv Nation puts it this way: “We stand to lose a lot. If we lose all the fish, they’ll be no Wuikinuxv.” In other words, as seafaring and fishing people, the culture, livelihood and physical sustenance…
Building resilience: Marine Protected Areas network
Mike Reid remembers when fishing in Heiltsuk territory was easier and far more productive. At age 12, he started commercial fishing with his grandfather and recalls catching their share of halibut, crabs, clams and other local marine staples without much trouble—all fairly close to home. “Now you have to go further, spend more time and burn more fuel,” says Reid…