Protecting the Great Bear Sea

Ocean Conservation Spotlight

Creating Canada’s First Marine Protected Area Network for thriving ocean ecosystems and healthy coastal communities.

The Great Bear Sea, located off the North and Central Coasts of British Columbia, is a vital marine ecosystem hugging the shores of the Great Bear Rainforest. Rich in biodiversity, this region supports lush kelp forests, vast estuaries, and diverse marine life including humpback whales, herring, rockfish and glass sponge reefs. Indigenous stewardship has sustained these waters for millennia, ensuring vibrant societies and cultures. The Great Bear Sea campaign aims to safeguard this region against threats like overharvesting, habitat loss, and climate change by establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network that balances the needs of nature and humans.

A map of existing and proposed sites for the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network

Goal

Establish a network of marine protected areas through the Great Bear Sea Northern Shelf Bioregion offering effective and long-term protection.

Quick Facts

Size

The proposed marine protected area network will protect approximately 30,000 km² of the Great Bear Sea

Location

Stretches from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border, covering two-thirds of the BC Coast!

Rare Wildlife

Home to 84 species at risk

Years of Collaboration

Nearly two decades of work in the making between the federal, provincial, and Indigenous governments

Canada's Only Coral Reef

Lophelia reef, a largely pristine cold-water live coral reef, is located in Finlayson Channel.

Whale Feeding Area

Every summer, humpback whales migrate here from Hawaii and Mexico to feed in the nutrient rich waters.

Orca Rubbing Beach

Northern Resident orcas in Johnstone Strait take part in the unique behaviour called “beach rubbing” where they skid their bodies over sloping beaches of smooth pebbles.

The tail of a humpback whale before it dives down below the ocean surface

Photo by: Markus Thompson

photo by: Ryan Miller

Two people canoe through a kelp forest by a forested coastline

Photo by: Markus Thompson

Why Action is Needed

What's at Stake?

The Great Bear Sea faces threats from climate change, overharvesting, and habitat loss. Without a coordinated approach, these pressures will continue to compromise the health and resilience of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Protecting this region is essential for sustaining biodiversity, ensuring food security, and supporting local economies. A robust Marine Protected Area (MPA) network will provide refuge for marine life and ensure wildlife and coastal communities can thrive for generations to come.

Biodiversity loss and overshifting
Spawning grounds for Pacific Herring & salmon
Rare and fragile habitats like Glass Sponge Reefs
Spiritually and culturally significant sites Indigenous and coastal communities

Solutions

CPAWS-BC is working with coastal First Nations, the Government of Canada and the Government of BC to establish Canada's First Marine Protected Area Network

We are calling for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, co-developed with Indigenous partners, to safeguard the vibrant network of life in the region. This network will preserve marine biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and support sustainable local economies for future generations.

An interconnected and strongly protected network covering 30 per cent of the Great Bear Sea
Support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives like Guardian Programs
Safeguard and restore vital marine ecosystems and wildlife
Restore and grow fish stocks for future generations
Support existing and create new jobs in the marine sector
Finance and grow a coastal conservation economy

Photo by: Markus Thompson

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