What is PNCIMA?

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PNCIMA (pronounced pin-SEE-ma) stands for the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area. This is an area of high ecological, social and economic importance that has been identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) as a priority region for marine planning as part of Canada’s Oceans Action Plan. PNCIMA encompasses approximately 88,000 sq. km. and supports an abundance of marine life.

Living Oceans Society will be working closely with the PNCIMA initiative. For the next two years we will make it our priority to ensure that our coast remains free from the threats of oil spills and becomes a world class model for ecosystem based management. By supporting us, or by becoming involved yourself, you can seize the opportunity that lies in the PNCIMA process to act before it is too late to protect and sustain our still healthy and thriving coast.

On May 31, 2010 the official plan was released that lays out how people and industries in PNCIMA can get involved in the process.

Several coastal communities rely heavily on the resources provided by the PNCIMA region. B.C. waters support more than 9,600 salmon stocks, and over 80 species of finfish, shellfish and plants are harvested commercially. Thanks to its rugged and pristine coastline, PNCIMA hosts thousands of tourists from around the world every year. Its deep, protected passages and inlets are traveled by thousands of commercial and recreational vessels, and provide sites for aquaculture and mariculture operations.

If designed properly, a marine plan for PNCIMA should result in ecosystem based management of the region. The result will be a series of outcomes and recommendations that provide for long-term sustainability of resource use for future generations.

Through the PNCIMA marine planning process, the people who work and live on the coast will be able to combine their knowledge, talents and passions to determine what activities will occur in the region and where they will be done. Together, we will design a network of marine protected areas along with areas designated for other specific uses that contribute to the rebuilding of our ocean health while minimizing economic impacts on fishermen. We will develop new management objectives designed to ensure there are healthy habitats and clean waters for all the species that call this place home. This will also give us fisheries that sustain native and non native communities, now and for generations to come.

A successful marine planning process for PNCIMA will require participation and input from several sectors within B.C.

Photo: Beltra/Greenpeace	Fisheries Fishermen throughout the region have an important role to play in the PNCIMA planning process. They include representatives from gear group associations, geographic associations, First Nations’ fishing associations, species-specific associations, recreational associations and processors.
Photo: K.W. Ladell	Transportation The transportation sector employs thousands of people along the B.C. coast, including shippers, carriers, ports and terminals.
Photo: Vestas Wind Systems A/S	Energy Renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind-generated power, represent potential economic opportunities for B.C.; there are oil and gas leases in the PNCIMA area as well. A moratorium is in place to protect PNCIMA from harmful effects of seismic testing, drilling and potential spills.
Photo: Victoria O’Connell, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game	Ocean technology and research Many of B.C.’s marine and coastal areas are unexplored, and very little is known about the extent of the various underwater habitats.
Photo: K.W. Ladell	Communities Communities in PNCIMA are the backbone of coastal B.C. They have a wealth of local and traditional knowledge to impart upon the planning process.
Photo: John Brouwer	Recreation There are approximately 17 marine parks and nine terrestrial parks and recreational areas in or adjacent to PNCIMA. They provide camping, wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities for thousands of visitors every year.
Photo: Courtesy of NOAA Photo Library	Tourism Millions of visitors come to B.C. every year. The tourism sector is a significant contributor to the province's coastal economy.
Photo: Rolf Hicker	Stewardship Several organizations comprised of residents with an interest in maintaining the coastal and marine environment operate in the region.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA/NSSDC	Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) There are several environmental and conservation organizations in B.C. working to ensure that ecosystem-based management objectives that enable protection of sensitive and threatened habitats are incorporated into the PNCIMA planning process.
Photo: L. Renehan	Aquaculture There are approximately 73 active fish farms and over 50 shellfish farms operating in PNCIMA. Farmed Atlantic salmon is B.C.'s largest agricultural export.
Photo: Alexandra Morton	Commercial Recreation Several fishing, camping and wildlife guides and businesses operate throughout the region and contribute to B.C.'s coastal economy.