A marine protected area (MPA)

is a “clearly defined geographical space recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.”

Photo by Janene Brierly-Green

Sustainability

The Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area Network planning process aims to build a network of MPAs that will help to ensure future generations will inherit the beauty and productivity of our Pacific Ocean.

Photo by Iain Robert Reid

Connection

Protection of the marine environment is of paramount importance for the people who live and work there. In particular, First Nations have distinct cultural and spiritual heritages that are intricately linked to the marine environment.

Photo by Jags Brown

Industry

The waters of the Northern Shelf Bioregion support fishing, aquaculture, marine tourism, transportation and energy developments.

Photo by Jaka Visek

Responsibility

The success of conserving and protecting special marine areas is a shared responsibility.

Photo by Iain Robert Reid

A marine protected area (MPA)

is a “clearly defined geographical space recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.”

Photo by Janene Brierly-Green

British Columbia Northern Shelf Bioregion

The Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and many First Nations are working together to develop a marine protected area network in the Northern Shelf, which extends from the top of Vancouver Island (Quadra Island/ Bute Inlet) and reaches north to the Canada – Alaska border.

The Northern Shelf Marine Protected Area Network planning process aims to build a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) that will help to ensure that future generations will inherit the beauty and productivity of our Pacific Ocean.

The success of conserving and protecting special marine areas is a shared responsibility. We look forward to hearing from all those who work, live or have an interest in the Northern Shelf and its future as we work to complete a network of MPAs for the Pacific Coast of Canada.

Creating an MPA Network

More about what's happening »

Planning Process

Vision

"An ecologically comprehensive, resilient and representative network of marine protected areas that protects the biological diversity and health of the marine environment for present and future generations."

Click here to see the MPA Network Planning Process »

Click here to see the MPA Network Planning Process » Learn more »

Define Goals, Objectives & Planning Principles

Network planning in the Northern Shelf is guided by the six goals for a coast-wide network of marine protected areas that are identified in the Canada-British Columbia Marine Protected Area Network Strategy (the Strategy). The goals are...

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Identify Conservation Priorities & Design Strategies

Conservation priorities are the features to be protected in an MPA network and can be ecological (e.g., ecologically significant species, habitats or areas) or cultural (e.g., species or sites of cultural significance). Conservation priorities can...

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Compile, Verify & Map Data

Significant effort has been made to compile the best available ecological, cultural and human use data. Data have been verified in consultation with scientists, independent experts, stakeholders and communities. New spatial datasets will be incorporated to...

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Review Existing Conservation Areas

There is a need to assess how well existing MPAs and other conservation measures are protecting conservation priorities. Existing MPAs and other conservation measures vary greatly in purpose, size, protection level, and ecological composition. A “conservation gap analysis” was developed to...

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Identify Potential New Areas & Design Draft Scenario

Once the contribution of existing MPAs and other conservation measures to protecting conservation priorities is understood, Marxan, a decision support tool, will be used to help identify areas of high ecological and cultural conservation value...

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Evaluate & Refine Network Scenario(s)

The development of an MPA network in the Northern Shelf involves making complex trade-offs to balance multiple objectives under considerable uncertainty. A structured analytic approach is being followed to identify, assess and refine versions of the network scenario to...

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Develop Action Plan & Designate Sites on Priority Basis

By 2020, the governing partners expect to have a Northern Shelf MPA network design and Network Action Plan that provides the blueprint for the network’s implementation, monitoring and...

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Manage & Monitor

As part of future implementation, the governing partners will work together to monitor the effectiveness of the MPA network in achieving stated goals and objectives. The potential benefits of MPAs (e.g., increased species diversity and abundance, spillover effects) as well as potential costs will be monitored...

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Photo by Ken Cripps

Participate

Photo by Kerry Enns

Resources

MPA Network of the Northern Shelf Bioregion is a collaborative partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of BC and many First Nations

Signatory First Nations

Gitxaala Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Gitga’at First Nation, Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation, Heiltsuk Nation, Nuxalk First Nation, Wuikinuxv First Nation, Mamalilikulla Nation, Tlowitsis Nation, Da'naxda'xw Awetlala First Nation, Wei Wai Kum First Nation, and K'ómoks First Nation

MPAs

Other Initiatives

The Region

What's Happening

Who's Participating

Working Together

Establishing an MPA Network

Stage One

Stage Two

Stage Three

Stage Four

Stage Five

Stage Six

Stage Seven

Stage Eight

Advisory Committees

Contact Us

Engagement

Opportunities

Data & Tools

First Nations Knowledge

Important Links

Legislation

References

SeaSketch Portal

A marine protected area (MPA)

is a “clearly defined geographical space recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.”

Sustainability

The Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area Network planning process aims to build a network of MPAs that will help to ensure future generations will inherit the beauty and productivity of our Pacific Ocean.

Connection

Protection of the marine environment is of paramount importance for the people who live and work there. In particular, First Nations have distinct cultural and spiritual heritages that are intricately linked to the marine environment.

Industry

The waters of the Northern Shelf Bioregion support fishing, aquaculture, marine tourism, transportation and energy developments.

Responsibility

The success of conserving and protecting special marine areas is a shared responsibility.

A marine protected area (MPA)

is a “clearly defined geographical space recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.”

British Columbia Northern Shelf Bioregion

British Columbia Northern Shelf Bioregion

Creating an MPA Network

Planning Process

Planning Process

Vision

Define Goals, Objectives & Planning Principles

Identify Conservation Priorities & Design Strategies

Compile, Verify & Map Data

Review Existing Conservation Areas

Identify Potential New Areas & Design Draft Scenario

Evaluate & Refine Network Scenario(s)

Develop Action Plan & Designate Sites on Priority Basis

Manage & Monitor

Participate

Resources

Signatory First Nations