B.C. establishes massive marine reserve on Central Coast with First Nations support
The reserve allows tourism and fishing but bans bottom trawl fishing, and governments say it will help protect biodiversity and salmon habitat.
- On Friday, six First Nations signed a landmark agreement with Canada and British Columbia establishing a 6,700-square-kilometre Indigenous marine reserve on B.C.'s Central Coast, called Mia-yaltwa Halidzogm hoon, meaning Realm of the Salmon, Home of the Salmon.
- First Nations on the Central Coast spent 150 years fighting for authority over their waters; when the Kitasoo Xaixais sought protection in 1993, jurisdictional disputes forced them to protect land first, eventually securing 55 per cent of their traditional lands by 2006.
- B.C. provided $60 million in 2023 for groundwork; signing Friday unlocks $167 million in federal funding over 11 years and just under $11 million annually for management, including expansion of the Coastal Guardian Watchmen program, while the reserve prohibits bottom trawl fishing but allows tourism and commercial fishing.
- Parks Canada will establish a collaborative management board within five years to develop a management plan addressing ecosystem protection and cultural heritage conservation, as Neasloss said Friday's announcement signals a paradigm shift in how governments approach Indigenous stewardship.
- The reserve advances B.C.'s target to protect 30 per cent of marine areas by 2030, while Chief Marlou Shaw of Wuikinuxv Nation emphasized it addresses declining salmon and eulachon populations to sustain coastal communities and cultures for future generations.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Coastal Nations, Canada, B.C., create central coast conservation area - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
Six coastal First Nations have signed a landmark agreement with Canada and British Columbia to create a major National Marine Conservation Area Reserve on the province’s Central Coast. The signatories include Gitxaała, Gitga’at, Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais and Heiltsuk. Both Gitxaała and Gitga’at are closely connected to the Prince Rupert region and the North Coast marine economy through longstanding relationships with the lands, coastal…
Coastal Nations, Canada, B.C., create central coast conservation area - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
Six coastal First Nations have signed a landmark agreement with Canada and British Columbia to create a major National Marine Conservation Area Reserve on the province’s Central Coast. The signatories include Gitxaała, Gitga’at, Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais and Heiltsuk. Both Gitxaała and Gitga’at are closely connected to the Prince Rupert region and the North Coast marine economy through longstanding relationships with the lands, coastal…
Houston Today
Smithers Interior NewsCoastal Nations, Canada, B.C., create central coast conservation area
Six coastal First Nations have signed a landmark agreement with Canada and British Columbia to create a major National Marine Conservation Area Reserve on the province’s Central Coast. The signatories include Gitxaała, Gitga’at, Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais and Heiltsuk. Both Gitxaała and Gitga’at are closely connected to the Prince Rupert region and the North Coast marine economy through longstanding relationships with the lands, coastal…
B.C. establishes massive marine reserve on Central Coast with First Nations support - Grand Forks Gazette
B.C. is establishing a massive new coastal marine reserve in collaboration with six First Nations. The new 6,700-square-kilometre reserve will be called Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon, meaning “Realm of the salmon, home of the salmon.” It is being established with the consent of the Gitga’at, Gitxaała, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nations, along with the federal and provincial governments. “It will help safeguard marine ecosystem…
B.C. establishes massive marine reserve on Central Coast with First Nations support - Northern Sentinel
B.C. is establishing a massive new coastal marine reserve in collaboration with six First Nations. The new 6,700-square-kilometre reserve will be called Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon, meaning “Realm of the salmon, home of the salmon.” It is being established with the consent of the Gitga’at, Gitxaała, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nations, along with the federal and provincial governments. “It will help safeguard marine ecosystem…
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