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Pacific north coast integrated management area - An ecosystem approach

Pacific north coast integrated management area - An ecosystem approach

Pacific north coast integrated management area - An ecosystem approach (PDF, 2.30 MB)

Concern is growing that the current state of the oceans requires immediate action and attention. Many scientists and policy experts believe that solutions based on an integrated, ecosystem approach hold the greatest promise for delivering effective results.

An area in the Queen Charlotte Basin is the focus of a new approach to planning and managing human activities in the marine and coastal environments. This new approach – integrated, ecosystem-based management – will bring together First Nations, all levels of government, coastal communities and stakeholders in making decisions and considering issues.

The Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area, or PNCIMA, has been determined by Fisheries and Oceans Canada using ecological criteria – such as ocean currents, water depth and ocean floor topography – and jurisdictional boundaries. PNCIMA encompasses the coastal waters from the Canada/Alaska border in the north, to Quadra Island in the south, and extends from the coastal and estuarine waters in the east to the foot of the continental shelf on the west.

The Queen Charlotte Basin was identified in 2004 by the Government of Canada as one of five priority areas for integrated planning. Integrated planning is one of the four pillars of the Oceans Action Plan supporting the sustainable development of Canada’s oceans, offshore and coastal areas.

The PNCIMA initiative, as the major focus of the Oceans Action Plan in the Pacific Region, marks a shift toward a broader ecosystem approach to resource management. This is consistent with the Government of Canada’s overall direction and with Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s new Wild Salmon Policy.

The ecosystem approach

An ecosystem approach is an integrated or holistic approach to resource management that aims to maintain an entire ecosystem in a healthy, productive and resilient condition. Ecosystem-based management differs from past approaches that have focused on a single species, sector, activity or concern; it considers the cumulative impacts of different sectors.

Integrated management incorporates social, cultural, environmental and economic values into the development and implementation of plans to guide and coordinate human activities. The ultimate goal is to reach general agreement on the best mix of conservation, sustainable resource use and economic development for oceans and coastal areas. Thus, ecosystem-based management – integrated with human activities, interests and impacts – will provide the basis for sustainable ocean resources for Canadians.

Four pillars of the Oceans Action Plan

Fog shrouds commercial fishing vessels at Port Edward. Photo by Jacob Joslin.

Fog shrouds commercial fishing vessels at Port Edward. Photo by Jacob Joslin.

A cruise ship docks at Atlin Terminal in Prince Rupert. Photo by Jacob Joslin.

A cruise ship docks at Atlin Terminal in Prince Rupert. Photo by Jacob Joslin.

Involving all interests and considering multiple issues

PNCIMA is a rich and diverse area. Integrated planning will consider First Nations interests; fisheries and other marine uses such as aquaculture development, oil and gas exploration, shipping and recreation; designation of marine protected areas; and scientific knowledge.

The plan will be developed through a collaborative, inclusive and consensus-based planning process that includes participation by First Nations, all levels of government, stakeholders and coastal communities. The goal is to develop a plan that is accepted by First Nations and stakeholders, endorsed by regulatory authorities and coordinated under the Oceans Act by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Participants in integrated management will aim to:

Children vie for the biggest bullhead at the Seafest in Prince Rupert. Photo by Tom Hlavac.

Children vie for the biggest bullhead at the Seafest in Prince Rupert. Photo by Tom Hlavac.

A catch of prawns gets checked to count the number of females caught. Photo by Jacob Joslin.

A catch of prawns gets checked to count the number of females caught. Photo by Jacob Joslin.

A coordination role

While not intended to provide a detailed prescription for all measures required to achieve its objectives, PNCIMA will function as an umbrella for various ocean management processes. The aim of the integrated management plan is to augment or enhance existing decision-making processes and link sector planning and management to an overarching set of management objectives and targets. Regulatory authorities will continue to remain responsible and accountable for implementing management policies and measures within their mandates and jurisdictions. Rather than building an entirely separate process, the goal of PNCIMA is to build references and linkages to existing management strategies and actions.

The kinds of actions that are consistent with integrated, or ecosystem-based, management, include:

Building the foundation

Activities are underway to lay a solid groundwork for PNCIMA by collecting and cataloguing data and relevant information. This includes three key documents:

These products will help produce a future ecosystem assessment for PNCIMA, which will identify and assess areas of ecological stress and potential conflict. All these documents will become publicly available and serve as key reference materials to guide future planning decisions.

Actions consistent with integrated, or ecosystem-based, management, include:

The Ridley Island coal and grain port, with the Watson Island pulp mill in the background.

The Ridley Island coal and grain port, with the Watson Island pulp mill in the background.

Fish are counted for stock assessment at a Nisga'a fish wheel on the Nass River. Photo by Mike Jakubowski.

Fish are counted for stock assessment at a Nisga'a fish wheel on the Nass River. Photo by Mike Jakubowski.

First Nations collaboration

The participation of First Nations in integrated planning will be critical to achieving the sound economic, social and cultural development of the many coastal Aboriginal communities that are inextricably tied to the marine environment. The Oceans Act (1997) calls for involvement of all stakeholders and First Nations in integrated management.

Along the central and northern coasts of BC, Aboriginal peoples make up almost half of the total coastal population. Existing case law outlines the legal rights of First Nations to be consulted on decisions that might affect any present or future Aboriginal and treaty rights.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is working with coastal First Nations to develop a framework and collaborative process to help First Nations become involved in integrated marine-use planning in PNCIMA and to ensure that they have the capacity and support required to actively participate.

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