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

NMCA E-NEWS

Vol. 3, Issue No.2 - July 2008

1. Feasibility Study Update
2. Marine Poster Contest
3. Gwaii Haanas NMCA Reserve Interim Management Planning
4. Operating Principles Recommended by the Science Network
5. Contact Us

1. Feasibility Study Update

Canada and British Columbia are working together on a number of technical studies and analyses to develop a comprehensive understanding of the region. An overview of the reports will be made available upon completion. There is a parallel consultation process in place to engage First Nations that have interests in the study area. Staff are working with several First Nations to cooperatively build community consultation processes so that First Nations values and interests associated with marine resources can be openly discussed and incorporated into the feasibility study.

2. Marine Poster Contest

One hundred and seventy-seven students in grades four to eight, from Westbank to Port Hardy took on the challenge of showing “how I love the ocean,” by participating in our fourth annual poster contest. Jarod Liebenberg, a grade seven student from Maple Ridge, took home the top prize, for his wonderful artwork of life on the West Coast. Jarod received a prize package which included a Parks Canada Family Discovery Pass (value $150) – valid for free entry into participating national parks and historic sites across the country.

The Marine Poster Contest is a youth awareness raising initiative about our oceans, linked to Oceans Day celebrations, co-sponsored by Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Winning entries are featured on the Parks Canada website www.pc.gc.ca/education (“contests” section).

3. Gwaii Haanas NMCA Reserve Interim Management Planning

The Story of Gwaii Haanas Marine provides an overview of the natural and cultural environment of the waters of the proposed national marine conservation area reserve. For your own free copy, e-mail gwaiihaanasmarine@pc.gc.ca

Are you interested in Gwaii Haanas Marine? Want to receive newsletters and keep up to date on the planning process? To subscribe to the mailing list please e-mail gwaiihaanasmarine@pc.gc.ca

4. Operating Principles Recommended by the Science Network

The Science Network, an independent science group, provides advice to the two West Coast NMCA initiatives (Southern Strait and Gwaii Haanas). The Network developed high level operating principles for Parks Canada to consider when incorporating natural environment and social-cultural values into the national marine conservation area planning process. These principles have been reviewed and revised and are now available on-line.

Steps in the Development and Implementation of the Principles

1. Biophysical and Socio-Economic Operating Principles submitted by Science Network
   Based on world-wide best practices and research of marine protected areas
2. Principles reviewed by Parks Canada Marine Protected Area Design Working Group
   To ensure principles are compatible with NMCA legislation and policy
3. Revised principles on-line: http://www.pc.gc.ca/straitofgeorgia (“What’s Happening” -> ”Science Network”)
   Request the original Science Network submission and complete revised principles from straitofgeorgianmca@pc.gc.ca
4. Principles will be considered to guide the selection of fully protected zones during interim management planning for national marine conservation areas
   If a national marine conservation area reserve proposal in the southern Strait of Georgia proceeds to the interim management planning phase these principles will be considered
   1. Biophysical Operating Principles
      1. Have few larger rather than many smaller fully protected areas (size).
      2. Have an adequate number of fully protected areas to insure against negative impacts from natural and anthropogenic catastrophic events (replication).
      3. Prevent fragmentation and maintain the integrity of functional units.
      4. Ensure representation of all ecosystems and conservation/environmental features.
      5. Ensure connectivity among fully protected areas through appropriate network design.
      6. Ensure representation of special or unique places, attributes or processes.
      7. Generally select pristine sites over degraded sites for fully protected areas.
      8. Ensure the representation of no-data or data-poor areas.
   2. Social, Economic and Cultural Operating Principles
      1. Have a consultative process that is balanced, open, inclusive, transparent, and provides opportunities for meaningful involvement.
      2. Recognize and respect Aboriginal rights, title, aspirations and world-view.
      3. Maximize socioeconomic, cultural and spiritual benefits.
      4. Minimize negative socio-economic impacts on stakeholders and local communities.
      5. Enhance management effectiveness and compliance.
      6. Address linkages between fully protected zones and other zones within the NMCA and adjacent areas.

5. 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

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

If you would like your e-mail address taken off the E-News list, please send a request to straitofgeorgianmca@pc.gc.ca (please indicate if you would like to receive any other consultation/communication updates from us)

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