Great Bear Sea

Photo: Lichen, Troy Moth, Salmon Beyond Borders. Tahltan lands and waters.

DEFENDING THE GREAT BEAR SEA

The Great Bear Sea is next to the sacred Great Bear Rainforest. Located off the North and Central Coasts of BC, the area includes Haida Gwaii and the waters around Northern Vancouver Island. Also known as the Northern Shelf Bioregion, these abundant offshore islands, rocky shorelines and deep fjords are home to iconic wildlife. Every summer, migrating humpback whales come to feed in these rich waters. Both Bigg’s and Northern Resident killer whales cruise through the Great Bear Sea. Once hunted to extinction from BC, reintroduced sea otters are bouncing back and helping bring back balance to ecosystems. Healthy kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and glass sponge reefs provide shelter for marine life like rockfish and shrimp. This rich stretch of ocean helps fight climate change by storing blue carbon.

Indigenous Peoples have stewarded the Great Bear Sea since time before memory. These waters have supported vibrant societies and cultures for thousands of years. Indigenous Peoples continue to lead the stewardship of healthy coastal waters now and for generations to come. Care and respect for nature is woven through many cultural values. Responsible management of the coast ensures sustainable resources and local food security.

diver in cloudy turquoise waters hovers over qhite square outline on seafloor
diver in cloudy turquoise waters hovers over qhite square outline on seafloor
three colourful kayaks by rocky islet
Boat surrounded by kelp, calm water and coastal shores
tin boat break glassy ocean surface
Orange sunset beams over crashing waves on rocky shore

Photos: © markus thompson – thalassia environmental

 

DEFENDING THE GREAT BEAR SEA

The Great Bear Sea is next to the sacred Great Bear Rainforest. Located off the North and Central Coasts of BC, the area includes Haida Gwaii and the waters around Northern Vancouver Island. Also known as the Northern Shelf Bioregion, these abundant offshore islands, rocky shorelines and deep fjords are home to iconic wildlife. Every summer, migrating humpback whales come to feed in these rich waters. Both Bigg’s and Northern Resident killer whales cruise through the Great Bear Sea. Once hunted to extinction from BC, reintroduced sea otters are bouncing back and helping bring back balance to ecosystems. Healthy kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and glass sponge reefs provide shelter for marine life like rockfish and shrimp. This rich stretch of ocean helps fight climate change by storing blue carbon.

Indigenous Peoples have stewarded the Great Bear Sea since time before memory. These waters have supported vibrant societies and cultures for thousands of years. Indigenous Peoples continue to lead the stewardship of healthy coastal waters now and for generations to come. Care and respect for nature is woven through many cultural values. Responsible management of the coast ensures sustainable resources and local food security.

diver in cloudy turquoise waters hovers over qhite square outline on seafloor
three colourful kayaks by rocky islet
Boat surrounded by kelp, calm water and coastal shores
tin boat break glassy ocean surface
Orange sunset beams over crashing waves on rocky shore
diver in cloudy turquoise waters hovers over qhite square outline on seafloor
three colourful kayaks by rocky islet
Boat surrounded by kelp, calm water and coastal shores
tin boat break glassy ocean surface
Orange sunset beams over crashing waves on rocky shore

Working Together to Create Canada’s First Marine Protected Area Network

Now the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss threaten these rich waters’ ability to provide for the future. Overharvesting, destructive fishing, and pollution are mounting pressure and adding excess stress. Marine protected areas can act as an insurance policy to keep marine life healthy in the face of a changing ocean. These designations grant refuge from harmful human activities. When we protect the oceans, we’re not only protecting nature. We’re also supporting healthy, sustainable, local economies along the coast.

For over a decade, 17 First Nations in partnership with the federal and provincial governments, have been working together to create Canada’s first network of marine protected areas to safeguard the Great Bear Sea. The MPA network aims to protect marine wildlife and First Nations’ cultural conservation priorities. 

We know MPAs work. BC has already made great strides to establish individual MPA’s along the coast. The region already hosts three established marine protected areas: Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area, and Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area. The region is also home to the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation’s Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay) marine protected area and the Mamalilikulla First Nation’s Gwaxdlala/Nalaxdlala1 (Lull Bay/Hoeya Sound) Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).

Map shoes red bold lines around north and central coast area
Northern Shelf Bioregion area
Map shoes red bold lines around north and central coast area
Map of north and central coast of BC dotted with existing marine protected areas.

Working Together to Create Canada’s First Marine Protected Area Network

Now the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss threaten these rich waters’ ability to provide for the future. Overharvesting, destructive fishing, and pollution are mounting pressure and adding excess stress. Marine protected areas can act as an insurance policy to keep marine life healthy in the face of a changing ocean. These designations grant refuge from harmful human activities. When we protect the oceans, we’re not only protecting nature. We’re also supporting healthy, sustainable, local economies along the coast.

For over a decade, 17 First Nations in partnership with the federal and provincial governments, have been working together to create Canada’s first network of marine protected areas to safeguard the Great Bear Sea. The MPA network aims to protect marine wildlife and First Nations’ cultural conservation priorities. 

We know MPAs work. BC has already made great strides to establish individual MPA’s along the coast. The region already hosts three established marine protected areas: Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area, and Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area. The region is also home to the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation’s Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay) marine protected area and the Mamalilikulla First Nation’s Gwaxdlala/Nalaxdlala1 (Lull Bay/Hoeya Sound) Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).

Map shoes red bold lines around north and central coast area

Northern Shelf Bioregion area

Map of north and central coast of BC dotted with existing marine protected areas.

Existing marine protected areas potential for a connected marine protected areas in the Great Bear Sea

Now it’s time for us all to connect the dots. We’ve seen MPA networks work in other parts of the world; now it’s BC’s turn to level up for our coast. By adding many smaller protected areas to neighbouring hotspots, the network can link important marine habitats. The benefits of a single MPA will spillover and amplify beyond the protected borders. MPA networks are more comprehensive and safeguard ocean biodiversity more effectively than individual sites.

Share your Support for Canada’s First MPA Network

Right now we need your help to share support for the completion of the network of marine protected areas. MPAs and networks provide refuge for ocean life to thrive and also benefit people by supporting sustainable industries, local economies, and coastal communities.

Tell the MPA Network partners that the network must have strong protections and meet minimum standards to support both the people and marine life who depend on these waters.

There will be public webinars, open houses and online surveys. Please visit MPAnetwork.ca to learn how you can share your support for the MPA network.

NEW! Learn more about the Great Bear Sea by visiting: greatbearsea.org

Learn More

Check out our Site by Site series on the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network

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