Between Vancouver and Victoria lies a marine treasure - the emerald waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia; the home of Canada's most endangered orcas. A National Marine Conservation Area is in the works.
Here, strong tidal currents within narrow island channels produce upwellings, rips and whirlpools, creating a nutrient-rich marine environment. Lush kelp forests and sea grass beds provide nurseries for a vast array of marine life. Microscopic plankton, fuelled by the sun, and larvae of marine life form the base of a complex food web, supporting a diversity of invertebrates and small schooling fishes like herring. In turn, invertebrates and small fish are food for larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Many species of fish, including rockfish, lingcod and herring, live in the Southern Strait of Georgia. Approximately two million shorebirds and seabirds use the region’s estuaries, tidal flats and coastal waters as summering, staging and wintering grounds. Resident killer whales spend much of the year in the region, while harbour seals are year-round residents. Steller and California sea lions are present during the winter months.
Known by Coast Salish peoples as “SQELATES” (meaning “home”), this very special body of water has long been revered for its role in nurturing both human and natural ecosystems.
On 13 October 2011, the governments of Canada and British Columbia announced their commitment to proceeding with a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA), with a boundary that extends from Haro Strait to Gabriola Passage. They are now going to embark on consultations with local First Nations. The legal designation of the NMCA will require an interim management plan, so they must consider impacts to the region and designate areas that require high levels of protection.
The waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia are a source of resources, transportation and recreation for millions of humans. Cumulatively, these uses threaten the many plants and animals whose health and well-being is intimately connected to our own quality of life. Parks Canada has stated that “the southern end of the Strait is the most heavily utilized and impacted of all the marine regions on the west coast of Canada.” Stresses on the strait include increased shipping traffic, commercial and recreational fishing practices, development, pollution, and the effects of climate change.
The Southern Strait of Georgia is part of CPAWS’ national 12 by 12 campaign for Canada to create 12 new Marine Protected Areas by 2012.
CPAWS is working to ensure this stretch of ocean protected forever – from the seabed to the scenic surface. Working with several community groups in the Southern Gulf Islands, CPAWS-BC leads the Southern Strait of Georgia Marine Conservation Network, a non-government body of conservancy groups, scientists and stakeholders working to support and strengthen efforts to protect the marine environment of the Southern Strait of Georgia through the establishment of a National Maine Conservation Area.
Since 1997, members of the Southern Strait of Georgia Marine Conservation Network have identified, documented and evaluated areas of special importance that should be protected in the NMCA. The coalition has worked collaboratively to raise public awareness of and support for NMCA establishment.
The Southern Strait of Georgia Marine Conservation Network is working to ensure that the NMCA will include the following:
Never miss your chance to make a difference! Enter your e-mail address here to get CPAWS news and actions delivered right to your inbox.