The 12 marine protected areas proposed by the CPAWS

Gloria Galloway -

Southern Strait of Georgia

Between Vancouver and Victoria lies a marine treasure – the emerald waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia, also known as the Salish Sea. Home to the endangered southern resident Orcas and “old growth” rockfish that live for more than 100 years in the swaying fronds of kelp forests, the strong tidal currents within narrow island channels produce upwellings, rips and whirlpools, creating a nutrient-rich marine environment. Known as Sqelates (meaning home) by Coast Salish peoples, this very special body of water has long been revered for its role in nurturing both human and natural ecosystems.

The ecosystems within the strait are severely threatened by overfishing, pollution and climate change. In 1995, the governments of Canada and British Columbia agreed to undertake a study to assess the feasibility of establishing a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in the ocean waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia. In 2003, Parks Canada finally received funding to undertake a feasibility study. Many years of local consultations have been completed.

First nation consultations are still required and an agreement between the provincial and federal governments will be necessary to complete this NMCA.

Scott Islands

 Lying off the wave-battered and rugged northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, the Scott Islands are internationally recognized as a globally significant bird area and are known to be the most important breeding ground for seabirds in B.C. The waters surrounding the Scott Islands provide critical feeding habitat for breeding seabirds including Cassin’s Auklets, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres and Tufted Puffins. Some birds will travel up to 100 kilometres offshore to forage for crustaceans and fish for their hungry chicks. In addition, the islands support some of the largest and most productive Steller sea lion rookeries in the world.

 While three of the five islands were protected as Ecological Reserves in 1971, the nutrient rich waters around the islands remain unprotected, leaving seabirds vulnerable to oil pollution, competition with commercial fisheries for food and being caught as by-catch in long-line fisheries.

In 2000, the Canadian Wildlife Service began a pilot marine National Wildlife Area (mNWA) process and in 2007 the federal government announced its commitment to fund the completion of the Scott Islands as a mNWA.

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