Between Vancouver and Victoria lie the emerald waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia, home to most endangered marine mammals in Canada– the Southern Resident killer whales. Southern Resident orca critical habitat has been identified in the area, where they feed on extreme dwindling numbers of their favored chinook salmon.
The legacy of thriving orca echoes through stories told across the surrounding Salish Sea where, in 2023 only 75 remain. Precariously low numbers of their favoured Chinook salmon and noise from marine transportation affect their hunting. While interim and seasonal measures have been put in place to increase food availability and decrease human disturbance, they need permanent protections if there is to be any chance of their survival.
The planned NMCAR would include critical feeding habitat for endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
HOME OF THE ORCAS
Between Vancouver and Victoria lie the emerald waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia, home to most endangered marine mammals in Canada– the Southern Resident killer whales. Southern Resident orca critical habitat has been identified in the area, where they feed on extreme dwindling numbers of their favored chinook salmon.
The legacy of thriving orca echoes through stories told across the surrounding Salish Sea where now a mere 75 remain. Precariously low numbers of their favoured Chinook salmon and noise from marine transportation affect their hunting. While interim and seasonal measures have been put in place to increase food availability and decrease human disturbance, they need permanent protections if there is to be any chance of their survival.
The planned NMCAR would include critical feeding habitat for endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
BIODIVERSITRY HOTSPOTS
The Southern Strait of Georgia is more than just the home of the Southern Resident orcas. More than 3,000 species can be found here seasonally and year-round. These include the Bigg’s transient killer whales, the Pacific giant octopus — the world’s largest, 100-year-old rockfish, schools of herring and salmon, millions of birds, as well as seals and sea lions, dolphins and whales. The region also contains climate change fighting, biodiverse habitats like seagrass beds and glass sponge reefs.
The shores of the Salish Sea and the many islands within it have sustained Indigenous Peoples for generations. The incredible natural beauty and abundance of life led scientists, including world-renowned ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, to call for its protection back in 1970.
In 2003, Parks Canada and the provincial government began working to establish the Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR), but two decades later, the area is still not protected.
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
The Southern Strait of Georgia is more than just the home of the Southern Resident orcas. More than 3,000 species can be found here seasonally and year-round. These include the Bigg’s transient killer whales, the Pacific giant octopus — the world’s largest, 100-year-old rockfish, schools of herring and salmon, millions of birds, as well as seals and sea lions, dolphins and whales. The region also contains climate change fighting, biodiverse habitats like seagrass beds and glass sponge reefs.
The shores of the Salish sea and the many islands within it have sustained Indigenous Peoples for generations. The incredible natural beauty and abundance of life led scientists, including world-renowned ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, to call for its protection back in 1970.
In 2003, Parks Canada and the provincial government began working to establish the Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR), but two decades later, the area is still not protected.
THESE WATERS ARE OVERDUE FOR PROTECTION
Right now local First Nations are working with Parks Canada on the feasibility of an NMCAR to protect these waters. Co-development and co-management will ensure that the vision and stewardship values of the 11 First Nations who share these waters are at the heart of plans to protect these waters. We expect updates this summer on the status of the process and how you can share your support for protecting the home of the orcas.
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THESE WATERS ARE OVERDUE FOR PROTECTION
Right now local First Nations are working with Parks Canada on the feasibility of an NMCAR to protect these waters. Co-development and co-management will ensure that the vision and stewardship values of the 11 First Nations who share these waters are at the heart of plans to protect these waters. We expect updates this summer on the status of the process and how you can share your support for protecting the home of the orcas.
A NATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION AREA RESERVE
NMCARs are a type of federal marine protected area created by Parks Canada. They focus on ecologically sustainable use — harmonizing conservation with human activities. This involves working closely with those who use the coastal land and the water to create a healthy marine ecosystem.
Human uses such as fishing and shipping, for example, are allowed in national marine conservation areas. But they would be limited or even eliminated from zones protecting sensitive features such as nesting areas, spawning beds, and cultural sites.
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For interview contact Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia 778-953-2372 ross@cpawsbc.org
Canada joins Global Ocean Alliance: Advocates for protecting 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030
For Immediate Release
July 9, 2020
Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, announced that Canada has joined the United Kingdom and other countries in the Global Ocean Alliance. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) applauds Canada’s active role in the protection of at least 30 percent of the global ocean through the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based marine conservation measures by 2030.
In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, and environmental and industry organizations, the Canadian government has made huge strides to protect almost 14 percent of our ocean. The bigger task remains to reach their goal of 25 percent ocean protection by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.
“This is a pivotal moment for Canada as a global leader for ocean action” says Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager for CPAWS-BC. “We look forward to working with the Minister to help Canada reach 30 percent ocean protection by 2030 with effective marine protected areas in BC and beyond.”
Decades of harmful human practices including overfishing, oil and gas activities, pollution (including noise, chemicals, and plastics), and physical disturbance such as ship strikes and bottom trawling threaten ocean life and human well-being. MPA’s offer a natural solution to prevent further destruction and support a healthy ocean that will provide for us for generations to come.
By protecting entire ecosystems, MPAs can protect the full diversity of marine life and their habitats. MPAs can help depleted ocean life recover, and support sustainable fisheries. Kelp forests, eelgrass and other shoreline ecosystems can protect coastal communities and shorelines from erosion and sea-level rise.
BC has been at the forefront of establishing Canada’s MPAs. The Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents MPA west of Vancouver Island was the first MPA created under the Oceans Act in 2003. The Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site is a prominent example of Indigenous-led, cooperatively managed MPAs in Canada.
We also have a large part to play in getting Canada to our 30 percent ocean protection by 2030 target with several MPAs in the planning process. The Offshore Pacific Area of Interest or Deepsea Oasis off the west coast of Vancouver Island will protect unique deep sea ecosystems and cover almost 2.5% of Canada’s ocean. The proposed Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve will safeguard important feeding waters for the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Led by Indigenous communities, Canada’s first MPA network along BC’s north and central coasts will protect whales and other migrating ocean animals while also ensuring healthy coastal communities for generations.
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For interview contact Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia 778-953-2372 ross@cpawsbc.org
Duarte, C.M., Agusti, S., Barbier, E. et al. Rebuilding marine life. Nature 580, 39–51 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2146-7
Map by Jacob Chila, GIS Analyst, Ocean Program, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia
About CPAWS-BC
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia Chapter (CPAWS-BC) protects wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. CPAWS-BC supports the creation of large, well-managed, connected protected areas where native plants and animals thrive, now and forever; and where people and communities can live off the land and ocean without impacting the ability of future generations to do the same.
In the past 50+ years, CPAWS has played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres – an area bigger than New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador put together.
