SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount Gin siigee tl’a damaan kinggangs gin k’aalaagangs Marine Protected Area Management Plan 2019

Table of Contents

• Complete Text
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Disclaimer
• About the SK̲-B Logo
• Haida Language
• Executive Summary
• 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 Location
  • 1.2 Prohibited Activities and Exceptions
• 2 Cooperative Governance
• 3 SK̲-B Guiding Principles
• 4 Conservation Significance and Human Use
  • 4.1 Geological, Oceanographic and Ecological Characteristics
  • 4.2 Cultural Characteristics and Values
  • 4.3 Socio-Economic Use
    • 4.3.1 Fishing Activities
    • 4.3.2 Scientific Research and Monitoring
    • 4.3.3 Vessel Traffic
    • 4.3.4 Other Activities
• 5 Management Framework
  • 5.1 Goals and Objectives
    • Goal 1. Protect and Conserve SK̲-B MPA
    • Goal 2. Manage Human Activities
    • Goal 3. Best Available Information and Effective Monitoring
    • Goal 4. Cooperative Management
    • Goal 5. Public Awareness
• 6 Surveillance, Enforcement and Compliance
  • 6.1 Reporting Accidents and Violations
• 7 Education and Outreach
• 8 Implementation
  • 8.1 Management Priorities
  • 8.2 Reporting and Plan Evaluation
• Glossary
• References
• Acronyms for Frequently Used Terms
• Appendix 1: Bowie Seamount MPA Regulations
• Contact information

List of Boxes

• Box 1. SK̲-B MPA History Highlights
• Box 2. Other Cooperative Processes
• Box 3. A Recent History of Socio-Economic Activities in the SK̲-B MPA
• Box 4. Regional Vessel Traffic Context
• Box 5. Developing Goals and Objectives
• Box 6. SG̲áan K̲ínghlas aauu tl’a ‘waadluwaan hlGajagang (We all take care of SG̲áan K̲ínghlas)

List of Figures

• Figure 1. SG̲áan K̲ínghlas - Bowie Seamount Marine Protected Area Map
• Figure 2. Haida Eddies in the vicinity of the SK̲-B MPA
• Figure 3. SK̲-B MPA Management Framework

List of Tables

• Table 1. Linkages between SK̲-B MPA guiding principles, Canada’s MPA and oceans strategies and frameworks and EBM principles
• Table 2. SK̲-B MPA Management Priorities and Associated Actions

Foreword

Dear Reader,

On behalf of the Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada, we are pleased to present the SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount Gin Siigee Tl’a Damaan Kinggangs Gin K’aalaagangs Marine Protected Area Management Plan. Today, as we bring our two management systems together, we are building on our relationship, based on common values, to conserve and protect this culturally and ecologically unique area.

According to gin k’iiygangaas (canon of Haida oral histories), the seamount is home to SG̲áan K̲ínghlas, one of the sGaanuwee (supernatural beings) that inhabit our world. The Haida have experienced an intimate interconnection with these beings ever since Nang Kilslaas (He Whose Voice Was Obeyed) brought people into existence. Haida ancestors developed elaborate rites to affirm this interconnection and designed strict protocols to protect our world.

The Canadian and international scientific communities have identified seamounts as ecologically and biologically significant areas. The completion of this management plan, which fulfills a key commitment of Canada’s National Conservation Plan, will support the unique biodiversity and biological productivity of this marine ecosystem, which includes cold-water corals and sponges. Working together, we have now outlined the tools and measures we will use to safeguard SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount for current and future generations.

This plan demonstrates the area's importance to both Haida and Canadian governments and outlines our shared commitment to protecting this special place. Our congratulations to everyone involved in this important and historic work. This Plan reflects your hard work and dedication. Haw’aa! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President
Council of the Haida Nation

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the following people for their hard work and dedication in preparation of the SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount Management Plan. Haaw’a! Thank you!

SK̲-B Management Board: CHN co-chairs: Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, Kaad Giidee Robert Bennett, Robert Davis, Kung Xangajii Shawn Cowpar, Kung Xyaalas Tyler Bellis, Guujaaw; DFO co-chairs: Colin Masson, Alice Cheung, Amy Mar, Bruce Reid, Mel Kotyk, Jeffrey Lemieux.

SK̲-B Advisory Committee: Chris Acheson, Hussein Alidina, Rosaline Canessa, Isabelle Côté, Peter De Greef, John Dower, Robert Fraumeni, Gregg Holm, Sabine Jessen, Jim McIsaac, Urs Thomas.

Haida Marine Work Group: Kaad Giidee Robert Bennett, Guud T'aawt'is Judson Brown, Kung Xangajii Shawn Cowpar, Robert Davis, Barney Edgars, Captain Gold, Giidansda/Guujaaw, Brendan Kallio, Naajuua Michelle McDonald, Michael McGuire, Gwiisihlgaa Daniel McNeill, Guud Xang.nga Melinda Pick, Tsiits Ed Russ, Ginn wadluu un uula isdaa ayaagang Trevor Russ, the late David Smith, Hiilang Jaad Judy Williams, Skaa gwiid xamsk'al Ron Williams, Sgaann 7iw7waans Allan Wilson, Harold Yeltatzie, Gaahlaay Lonnie Young, Guud sGad sk'yaau Ron Brown Jr., Kilslaay Sgiidagiids the late Dempsey Collinson, Nungxii/Gagaayk-iinas the late John Williams, Iljuuwass the late Reynold Russ, and T’aawgaanyaad the late Godfrey Williams. Alternates: Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, Kung Xyaalas Tyler Bellis, Sk'aal Ts'iid James Cowpar, Wigaanad Sid Crosby, Kunn Lawrence Jones, Sk'aal Ts'iid James McGuire, Nangkilslas Trent Moraes, Yahgu Ken Rea, Guud Yuwans Willy Russ, Sgidaa Kaw Richard Smith Jr., John Yeltatzie.

Haida Oceans Technical Team: Nang Jingwas Russ Jones, Jaad K’iinas Catherine Rigg, Lynn Lee, Jason Thompson, Molly Clarkson, Lais Chaves.

Xaad kil Translation: Jaskwaan Bedard

Haida Formline Designs: Daawnaay Tyson Brown

Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Jacinthe (Jazz) Amyot, Danielle Scriven, Travis Poehlke, Annalisa Pareja, Neil Macauley, Amy Wakelin, Adam Keizer, Miriam O, Cherisse Du Preez, Dana Haggerty, Kate Thornborough, Brigid Payne, Jim Boutillier, Rob Kronlund, Patrick Mahaux, Hilary Ibey, Chantelle Caron, Neil Davis, Christie Chute, Kate Ladell, Émilie-Pier Maldemay, Victoria Sheppard, Samia Hirani, Joy Hillier, Diana Freethy, Courtney Druce, Lindsay Gardner, Jena Chin, Lisa Lacko, Coral Cargill, Lorna Cameron, Denise Zinn, Matt Bond, Dale Gueret, and Kevin Conley.

Disclaimer

This Plan is not legally binding and does not create legally enforceable rights between Canada and the Haida Nation. This Plan is not a treaty or land claims agreement within the meaning of sections 25 and 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982.

This Plan does not create, define, evidence, amend, modify, recognize, affirm or deny any Aboriginal rights, Aboriginal title and/or treaty rights or Crown title and rights, and is not evidence of the nature, scope or extent of any Aboriginal rights, Aboriginal title and/or treaty rights or Crown title and rights.

This Plan does not limit or prejudice the positions Canada or the Haida Nation may take in any negotiations or legal or administrative proceedings.

Nothing in this Plan constitutes an admission of fact or liability.

Nothing in this Plan alters, defines, fetters or limits or shall be deemed to alter, define, fetter or limit the jurisdiction, authority, obligations or responsibilities of Canada or the Haida Nation.

“Indigenous,” “Aboriginal,” and “First Nation” are used interchangeably throughout the document depending on the context, with “Indigenous” and “Indigenous peoples” reflecting contemporary usage consistent with The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

About the SK̲-B Logo

The SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount MPA logo was designed by Haida artist Wayne Edenshaw. The SG̲áan K̲ínghlas seamount is a supernatural being in Haida culture. The logo depicts the seamount as a Waaxaas, a giant sea monster that is half wolf and half killer whale and has the ability to move on both land and in the sea. Waaxaas once preyed on Haida villages and are renowned in Haida culture for their ferocity. This supernatural being was selected because of the potential danger and power of the offshore underwater volcano. Kyaanuu (cod) and seaweed fronds represent the biological abundance of the seamount, and the nutrient-rich waters surrounding the seamount are represented by a green backdrop to the Waaxaas.

Haida Language

The Xaad kil (Haida language) used in the SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount Management Plan is in the Massett Haida dialect.

Executive Summary

The SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie (SK̲-B) Seamount is located 180 km offshore of Xaayda gwaay (Haida Gwaii), off the North Pacific coast. The seamount is an underwater mountain formed by volcanic activity which fosters unique oceanographic interactions that enhance the biological productivity of the area. SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount and the surrounding area have been designated by both the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada as a protected area. The Haida Nation, as represented by the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN), and the Government of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2007 that established a Management Board to facilitate the cooperative management and planning of the protected area. On April 17, 2008, the area was officially designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) under Canada’s Oceans Act.

The purpose of the MPA is to conserve and protect the unique biodiversity and biological productivity of the area’s marine ecosystem, which includes the SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie, Hodgkins and Davidson seamounts and the surrounding waters, seabed and subsoil.

This Management Plan has been collaboratively developed by the CHN and Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) with input from the SK̲-B Advisory Committee, and describes a cooperative approach for MPA management. It outlines guiding principles; describes goals and objectives; identifies management tools for the area; addresses surveillance, enforcement and user compliance; and highlights education and outreach. Four implementation priorities are identified for the MPA: cooperative governance and adaptive co-management; research to support conservation outcomes; monitoring; and education and outreach.

The SK̲-B MPA is a locally, nationally and internationally significant marine area. Cooperative management of the MPA illustrates a shared commitment by the CHN and DFO to conserve and protect our oceans.