Marine protected areas and the role of ENGOs in supporting MPA establishment within the Salish Sea

The Salish Sea is a marine bioregion of extraordinary biological, cultural, spiritual, and socioeconomic value. These waters have sustained indigenous and non-indigenous coastal communities over generations by providing food, cultural, economic, and ecological services. With the growing impacts of human activities and climate change, conservation strategies are needed to ensure the future health of the Salish Sea. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a tried-and-true conservation measure to protect an area’s natural and cultural resources. Public call for the establishment of an MPA within the Southern Strait of Georgia (SSoG), the waters surrounding the Canadian Gulf Islands near Victoria, started in 1970 in recognition of its rich and diverse ecosystem. An SSoG MPA was endorsed by Jacques Cousteau, who warned of significant declines in biodiversity if left unprotected. In 2003, Parks Canada and the BC government agreed to conduct a feasibility study for a Nation Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). Progress has been slow and NMCA establishment has faced many challenges. However, there is currently a window of opportunity for NMCA completion, with political commitments to MPAs and the environment at both provincial and federal levels in Canada. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has been working to establish the NMCA for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience from our involvement with Gwaii Haanas NMCA and other MPAs in Canada. CPAWS leads a coalition of conservation groups, scientists and stakeholders with the shared goal of building public awareness and support for the NMCA and informing the NMCA planning process. To support NMCA planning, CPAWS has commissioned spatial analyses of the area to gain a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of biodiversity and human activities throughout the area. CPAWS is also conducting community outreach and training initiatives to provide local advocates with the skills needed to build community support