Members of the public are encouraged to weigh in on a proposed national marine conservation area (NMCAR) reserve on the Central Coast of B.C.
A survey was launched Jan. 15, 2024 and closes on March 15, 2024.
An information meeting is being hosted Thursday, Feb. 8 in the Bella Coola Valley at the Nuxalk Hall from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The potential conservation benefits and socio-economic implications of establishing an NMCAR in the region are currently being assessed, collaboratively, by Parks Canada, the Province of British Columbia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Wuikinuxv, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Gitga’at, and Gitxaala First Nations.
Information about the proposed reserve is available on the Government of Canada website.
“The establishment of a national marine conservation area reserve (NMCAR) would protect this region in a holistic way that includes a wide range of highly connected habitats and ecosystems and the species that depend on them. By extension, the establishment of an NMCAR would contribute to the well-being of Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, and resource-dependent marine sectors that rely on the health of these ecosystems.”
In 2021, coastal First Nations signed a memorandum of understanding with Parks Canada and the province of B.C.
Subsequently in the fall of 2023, following a request from Gitga’at and Gitxaala Nations to include key areas of their traditional territories in the NMCAR feasibility assessment, the proposed boundary was expanded further north.
There is a proposed outer boundary that has not been finalized and the parties involved expect the boundary will be modified using input received from the survey and in-person meetings.
Further information from the government website notes establishment of an NMCAR would protect important habitats, species, and ecosystems on which Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, and resource-dependent marine sectors rely.
“Human activities in an NMCAR would be carefully co-governed between First Nations and the Crown, based on Indigenous knowledge, local perspectives, and science. NMCARs can have different zones of activity that range from “strict protection” to “multiple use” areas, which allow for ecologically sustainable activities. First Nations’ food, social, and ceremonial activities continue in all NMCAR zones.”
Once the survey period ends, a report and recommendations will be submitted to the leadership of all partners and is expected to be done in June 2024.
If all partners agree in establishing an NMCAR is doable for the Central Coast of B.C. the next step will be to negotiate an NMCAR establishment agreement.
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