New B.C. coastal marine strategy supports resilient communities, economies, ecosystems

July 11, 2024

VICTORIA – The Province is stepping up its leadership on coastal marine management to build resilient coastal communities, economies and ecosystems with its first comprehensive made-in-B.C. coastal marine strategy, co-developed with many First Nations.

“British Columbia needs active and engaged stewardship in how we manage our marine resources. The Coastal Marine Strategy is the result of First Nations, federal and local governments, stakeholders and communities working together toward a shared vision for our coast,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “The strategy provides a much-needed roadmap for how we steward our coastal marine environment and support new opportunities for our coastal communities.”

The strategy’s 20-year vision supports the long-term resilience of shared marine resources, renews the Province’s leadership role in its marine environment and directly benefits nearly three-quarters of the province’s population who live on or near the coast. The coastal marine strategy closes a historical gap as B.C. has been one of the few coastal jurisdictions in North America without any definitive and sustainable long-term coastal policy.

Co-developed by many coastal First Nations and the Province over four years and informed by stakeholder and public engagement, the coastal marine strategy covers four major themes: healthy coastal marine ecosystems, resilience to climate change, thriving coastal economies and communities, and informed governance. The strategy also leverages opportunities with the federal government on issues that span respective jurisdictions.

Thousands of people in British Columbia work in fishing and aquaculture, shipping and shipbuilding, ports and harbours, tourism and technology — all of which rely on coastal resources. The strategy is designed to improve the way the Province manages marine resources, which would help its marine and coastal workforce. The strategy will also explore new coastal zone legislation and new metrics to account for the ocean’s true contribution to the workforce, communities and the economy.

In keeping with government’s commitment to the Shared Priorities Framework, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Province worked closely with First Nations and organizations to frame a meaningful, respectful and inclusive process for developing a strategy together and for co-managing its implementation over the next two decades.

The Province has taken a series of actions as part of renewed leadership in a coastal marine strategy. This includes efforts to restore, protect and conserve its coastal, tidal and marine health from the many projects financed by the $285.7-million federal-provincial BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, and the Province’s contribution of $60 million in December 2023  to steward and invest in sustainable economies in the Great Bear Sea. Similarly, the Province’s $50-million Clean Coast, Clean Waters program has removed more than 1,500 tonnes of marine debris, including 118 derelict vessels. This adds to the actions taken to maintain a healthy and productive coast, a key aspect of B.C.’s coastal marine strategy and its future.

Quick Facts:

• First Nations have historical knowledge and experience in coastal marine management, which will help inform long-term stewardship of B.C.’s diverse and unique marine ecosystems and habitats.
• The Province of British Columbia holds considerable responsibility for the marine and coastal area.
• B.C.’s ocean-based economy generates approximately $21 billion annually, which is 8% of its gross domestic product, supporting 300 coastal communities and full-time work for more than 131,000 people in British Columbia.

Learn More:

To find out how British Columbians benefit from the co-developed coastal marine strategy, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/coastalmarinestrategy

To read about the shared visions of an engaged public and stakeholders for a B.C. coastal strategy in the What We Heard report, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/818/2023/08/CMS-What-We-Heard-Report_2023.pdf

To learn about the timeline of activities in the co-development of B.C.’s first coastal marine strategy, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/coastalmarinestrategy/

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSMedia@gov.bc.ca
250 896-7365

BACKGROUNDER

Wilfred Cootes, Chief Councillor of Uchucklesaht Tribe and president of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society —

“The Maa-nulth First Nations appreciate the work with our treaty partner the past few years on development of a coastal marine strategy. Our culture, economies and well-being are linked to the ocean and it is critical that all governments work together to help restore balance to coastal marine ecosystems. We look forward to continued work with British Columbia on the priorities and actions set out in the coastal marine strategy.”

Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative —

“B.C.’s coastal marine strategy is an important step forward for our precious coasts and oceans. It is both an ambitious set of goals and actions to promote resilience for people and nature, and an inspiring model of collaborative policy development. First Nations across the Great Bear Sea were pleased to contribute to the coastal marine strategy and we look forward to continuing our work with the Province of B.C. to advance our shared priorities for healthy seas and healthy communities.”

Hugh Braker, president of the First Nations Fisheries Council of BC —

“As First Nations, coastal environments have been a central part of many of our values, cultures, teachings and food systems since time immemorial. The significant threats posed by climate change, including droughts, atmospheric rivers, flooding and wildfires, have underscored the urgency of this work. The development of this strategy is an important step in tackling these challenges and recognizing the legal rights of First Nations people.”

John Henderson, vice-president of the First Nations Fisheries Council of BC —

“I’ve spent my whole life on the water. As First Nations people, we are working to ensure that our oceans are healthy and remain plentiful, so that our children and their children have the opportunity to harvest and practise their culture. The coastal marine strategy is one way we can come together with First Nations and the Province to develop collaborative approaches that protect our waters and in turn, our livelihoods, for generations to come.”

Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture —

“British Columbians have told us they want more action to steward our coastal marine resources. The Province’s first coastal marine strategy delivers a comprehensive plan for supporting our coastal communities and ecosystems over the long term. I look forward to continuing working with coastal First Nations, communities and stakeholders to bring the strategy to life.”

Jim McIssac, managing director, Commercial Fishing Caucus —

“Investing in B.C.’s coastal marine strategy is absolutely vital to our fisheries, our coastal communities, our maritime cultures, our rural economies, and indeed the well-being of our entire province. The creation of this coastal marine strategy presents a new opportunity to build local, integrated and collaborative decision-making along our coast, one that builds on local knowledge and addresses the needs of local harvesters and rural coastal communities for generations to come.”

John McEwen, vice-chair, board of directors, Metro Vancouver —

“Living on the west coast bestows us with immeasurable ecological, cultural and economic benefits, and we all have a role to play in protecting the ocean. Metro Vancouver provides regional-scale services like liquid-waste management, drinking water and regional parks, which are closely tied to a healthy marine environment, and we applaud the Province’s efforts to ensure that local governments are included in developing legislation that will better protect the coastline.”

Kate MacMillan, conservation director, ocean program, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society BC —

“This first-ever strategy addresses gaps that have left nature vulnerable, setting us on a new path that facilitates collaboration for vibrant coastal ecosystems and communities. We’re happy to see a coastal marine strategy led by the Province and coastal First Nations that incorporates feedback from people living across the coast of B.C. We’re hopeful that it can navigate us through the rising threats of climate change, protect and restore coastal habitats, and advance meaningful Indigenous leadership within coastal governance.”

Debbie Haggard, vice-chair, board of directors, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District —

“The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has many residents whose livelihoods are intricately connected to healthy marine ecosystems for work, recreation and cultural purposes. The release of the coastal marine strategy reflects a valued commitment to collaboration between provincial, local and First Nations governments for a more sustainable approach to manage marine resources in British Columbia.”

Georgia Lloyd-Smith, staff lawyer, West Coast Environment Law —

“We are thrilled to see the Province release B.C.’s first-ever coastal marine strategy that lays out an ambitious blueprint for the coast. With threats compounding along the coast, from pollution to habitat loss and sea-level rise, B.C. urgently needs a unified plan to fill existing gaps and address important coastal issues. The coastal marine strategy – developed with First Nations and informed by feedback from up and down the coast – provides long-term guidance to uphold Indigenous governance and ensure marine life and coastal communities get the future they deserve.”

Chloé Dubois, co-founder and executive director, Ocean Legacy —

“The coastal marine strategy is a historical achievement that exemplifies true community collaboration and reconciliation with First Nation people. Ocean Legacy looks forward to advancing and implementing this critical work together to preserve and restore the coastal marine environment for present and future generations.”

Contact:Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSMedia@gov.bc.ca
250 896-7365

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