We ask a lot of our ocean. We harvest it for fish and shellfish, we sail on it in everything from cruise ships to tankers, and we dump industrial runoff into it. The value of these natural goods and services totals billions of dollars annually, and contributes to the economies of the province and coastal communities.

Rockfish

Collapsing fisheries and other signs of ecological decline warn us that we are pushing the limits of what the ocean is able to absorb. Marine use planning is about being strategic about what we take from the ocean and what we put into it. By adjusting our practices to take into account the fragility of marine resources, we preserve natural capital while living comfortably off the interest.

The Oceans Act

The Oceans Act requires the federal government to engage British Columbians in a comprehensive, integrated management planning process in an area called the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA - pronounced pin-SEE-mah). This area includes BC’s Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii marine regions. It covers approximately two-thirds of BC’s coast.

In December 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Coastal First Nations and DFO to initiate collaborative governance in PNCIMA. The Province of BC has been invited to participate but to date retains status as an observer to the process. This step is the first in fulfilling the obligations of the Oceans Act of 1997 on the Pacific Coast.

In order to be effective, the marine-use planning process must actively engage the people who live, work and play on the North Coast. The process should bring the best available science to the table to inform decisions about the future of this magnificent region.

If done properly, marine planning in PNCIMA will integrate the needs of coastal industries, businesses and communities that use the ocean and its resources. The eventual designation of a network of Marine Protected Areas will improve ocean health generally and the productivity of fisheries in particular. These are key strategies in maintaining ecosystem resilience in the face of oncoming climate effects.