The Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) is of key importance to a number of coastal communities and thousands of marine species that call these waters home.The establishment of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the PNCIMA will require a concerted effort from federal, provincial and First Nations governments as well as academics, scientists, policy professionals and other stakeholders. These groups are currently working together collaboratively to catalogue the main biophysical, ecosystem, economic, social and cultural features in the PNCIMA region and the entire B.C. coast through the British Columbia Marine Conservation Analysis (BCMCA).
There are currently no federal MPAs designated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) located in the PNCIMA legislated under Canada’s Oceans Act. Unfortunately, no comprehensive plan exists to manage the multiple impacts that many users have on the marine environment and further progress at this stage in the establishment of these MPAs is vital to their effectiveness.
The formation of a network of MPAs is critical in the effort to protect the greatest abundance and diversity of species from habitat destruction and population crashes within the PNCIMA region.
