Feasibility Study for the Proposed Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve

NMCA E-NEWS

Vol 4, Issue #1 August 2009

1. Feasibility Study Update
2. Pender Pinnacle – All Tangled Up
3. Emerald Sea Project
4. BC Ferries Coastal Naturalist 2009
5. Marine Poster Contest
6. Contact Us
7. Subscribe Now

1. Feasibility Study Update

Parks Canada & the Province of BC continue to collaborate to build a better understanding of the biodiversity, recreational values and activities that occur within the southern Strait of Georgia.

There is a parallel consultation process in place to engage First Nations who have interests in the area. Staff are working with a contractor to scope out how to cooperatively build community consultation processes with First Nations. First Nations values and interests associated with marine resources are an important part of the feasibility study.

2. Pender Pinnacle – All Tangled Up

In the Gulf Islands, off the southern end of South Pender Island, a pinnacle suddenly rises up from the sea bottom 80 metres below to 18 metres from the surface. On a chilly January morning in 2009, Parks Canada staff headed out to visit the site and investigate a derelict fishing net caught on the pinnacle. Parks Canada's Senior Advisor for Marine Conservation, Tom Tomascik, descended with diver and photographer Derek Holzapfel to document and record the state of the pinnacle and net. The net is believed to be a seine net or trawling net from a commercial fishing boat and is approximately 15-20 years old. It is uncertain how deep the net extends, but it blankets as much pinnacle as could be seen.

Tom found that while there was much invertebrate marine life on and around the net, there were few fish to be seen. At this time, there are tentative plans to assess removal of the net, which would have to be cut and removed in chunks to minimize disruption to marine life.

Tom and Derek completed two dives, and in the process took about 12 minutes of underwater footage and dozens of photos. This footage will be included in the future “Secrets of the Emerald Sea” documentary, which showcases the abundance and diversity of sea life in the Southern Strait of Georgia.

3. Emerald Sea Project

Parks Canada, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and the Vancouver Aquarium, is producing “Secrets of the Emerald Sea: Bringing the depths to light”, a documentary that will offer Canadians an amazing look into the world beneath the waves. The highlight of the documentary is Active Pass, a narrow passage in the Southern Gulf islands, which separates Mayne and Galiano islands and is home to a wide variety of marine species and habitats.

The documentary will provide an opportunity to increase Canadians' awareness and understanding of the efforts underway to develop and establish a federal network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Video footage will illustrate that while some marine environments are highly degraded, the vast majority are intact and highly valued. The video will touch upon the themes of ecologically sustainable use, conservation of resources, and recreation and learning. The ultimate goal is to evoke a desire in Canadians to support the protection and conservation of our marine environments.

Research divers will be using underwater filming equipment and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to bring to life the diverse topography and vast marine life of the area.

We look forward to the release of “Secrets of the Emerald Sea: Bringing the depths to light” in 2010.

4. BC Ferries Costal Naturalist 2009

Naturalists onboard BC Ferries vessels for travellers to discover the wonders of BC's coast. Planning a trip this summer? We invite you to join our Coastal Naturalists onboard select sailings on the Vancouver – Victoria and Horseshoe Bay – Nanaimo routes. The 2009 Coastal Naturalist programs began June 26^th and conclude September 7^th with programs offered Friday through Monday with daily presentations during the month of August on the Vancouver – Victoria route.

View the 2009 Costal Naturalist schedule.

Graceful orcas, playful sea lions, and hardy salmon are just a few of our wild west-coast residents. Learn more about the diverse marine life, culture, history and geography of B.C.'s local waters through our interactive presentations. Our Coastal Naturalists will inspire you to discover Parks Canada's natural treasures like Gulf Islands and Pacific Rim National Park Reserves and help you learn about the proposal for a National Marine Conservation Area in the Southern Strait of Georgia.

We look forward to seeing you on our next sailing!

5. Marine Poster Contest

The 5th annual Marine Poster Contest saw participation from 284 students in grades 4-8 from across BC. Students creatively expressed their love for the ocean in beautiful paintings and drawings and shared in words "What I love about the ocean." Katriana VanWoudenberg, a grade 4 student from Abbotsford, received first place for her artwork. The grand prize package included a one-year family Discovery Pass for free entry into national parks and historic sites nation-wide.

The Marine Poster Contest, sponsored by Parks Canada in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment Canada, serves to engage children and youth in learning about the marine environment and about the proposed national marine conservation areas (NMCAs) in the Southern Strait of Georgia and Gwaii Haanas, in Haida Gwaii.

The top 16 posters will be displayed at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site in Steveston from July 5 – 30^th and at the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii from August 10 – September 11^th. Come out for a visit to see the winning posters and learn about the incredible stories of West Coast fishing from the 1870's to the present and about the amazing living culture of the Haida dating back some 12,000 years. View the posters online: "Contests"

6. Contact Us

Contact us for information about the Southern Strait of Georgia NMCA Reserve Feasibility Study. 

Email: straitofgeorgianmca@pc.gc.ca
Web: http://www.pc.gc.ca/straitofgeorgia

7. Subscribe

If you did not receive the NMCA E-News directly from Parks Canada and would like to join our mailing list, please send your name and contact details to straitofgeorgianmca@pc.gc.ca

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