Frequently Asked Questions

The proposed MPA Network covers 30,493 km2 (or about 30%) of the Great Bear Sea. More than half of this proposed area (about 62%) is comprised of existing MPAs, with the rest (about 38%) made up of new areas.

Between 20% and 50% of the proposed MPA Network (or 6-15% of the overall Northern Shelf Bioregion) is recommended to be targeted as high protection, meaning that activities such as commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, and industrial activities (mining, dumping, oil & gas activities) would not be acceptable, whereas the remaining areas (50-80%) of the MPA Network would allow for a selected mix of human uses while still meeting conservation objectives. Learn more about the Network and Protected Areas.

Ocean management in Canada is complex and requires a concerted effort by First Nations, Provincial, and Federal governments to work together. Building on the precedents set by existing collaborative governance experiences in the Great Bear Sea and the strong relationships established through these initiatives, the MPA Network was collaboratively planned and will be implemented by the following Governance Partners:

First Nations Governments:  

• Central Coast: Kitasoo Xai’xais, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv First Nations, supported by the Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance (CCIRA)
• North Coast: Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Kitsumkalum, Kitselas, Haisla, and Metlakatla First Nations
• Haida Gwaii: Council of the Haida Nation
• North Vancouver Island: Mamalilikulla, Tlowitsis, K’ómoks, Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala and Wei Wai Kum First Nations,  supported by the Nanwakolas Council, and Kwiakah First Nation

Government of Canada: 

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada*
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Parks Canada

Province of British Columbia: 

• Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship*
• Ministry of Environment and Parks
  *Lead federal/provincial agency for planning phase

In 2024 the MPA Network partners signed a MPA Network Agreement which directs Network implementation. The Network Agreement is complemented by Nation MPA  Agreements between each First Nation partner and the crown governments. The Nation MPA Agreements identify the process for site implementation within the Network.

Generally, the establishment of MPAs will include some or all of the following steps: site identification; feasibility assessments; refinement/completion of overview and assessment reports (which consider the ecological/biophysical, social, cultural and economic aspects of the area); collaboration and consultation with non-partner First Nations; engagement with stakeholders and the public; designing management measures; reaching implementation agreements; and, finally, enacting the legal tools to formally designate the MPA.

At the outset of each establishment process, the steps required and the opportunities for public and stakeholder consultation and engagement will be clarified by the Governance partners leading the site-specific establishment process. It is anticipated these processes will be conducted under collaborative partnerships between the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and First Nations. Learn more about the implementation process and status of individual sites.

Considerable input was received from stakeholders on a first draft of the Network design which was shared with stakeholder advisory groups in early 2019. A stakeholder advisory workshop was held in February 2020, which provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share and summarize their input on a first draft of the Network design to the planning partners. This input was considered through 2020 and partners provided a new draft Network design to stakeholders in February 2021. Input on this scenario was facilitated through a series of stakeholder workshops in March and April of 2021, and during the public engagement period in the Fall of 2022.

While much of this input has been incorporated into the Network Action Plan, some of the stakeholder input provided details that can only be considered or assessed during site designation. Learn more about the planning process.

It depends on the site and the activity. Potential restrictions on use and access will be determined through site designation processes and subsequent management planning. Future access and use will be shaped by the conservation objectives for the site, the type of protection used, and community and stakeholder input. Learn more about each site.

The site designation phase began after the Network Action Plan was endorsed by the Governance partners in February 2023. MPA site designation is a multi-year process and will include opportunities for further public engagement. Management measures and regulations that could affect human activities will be identified during site establishment.

Ocean management in Canada is complex and requires a concerted effort by First Nations, Provincial, and Federal governments to work together. Building on the precedents set by existing collaborative governance experiences in the Northern Shelf Bioregion/Great Bear Sea and the strong relationships established through these initiatives, the MPA Network was collaboratively planned between Crown governments and the following First Nation partners:

First Nations Governments 

• Central Coast: Kitasoo Xai’xais, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv First Nations, supported by the Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance (CCIRA)
• North Coast: Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Kitsumkalum, Kitselas, Haisla, and Metlakatla First Nations
• Haida Gwaii: Council of the Haida Nation
• North Vancouver Island: Mamalilikulla, Tlowitsis, K’ómoks, Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala and Wei Wai Kum First Nations, supported by the Na̲nwak̲olas Council , and Kwiakah First Nation

Learn more about the Great Bear Sea partner First Nations

Not all First Nations with territory within the Great Bear Sea region participated in Network planning and implementation. The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia have engaged with First Nations who are not Governance partners throughout the planning process and will continue to engage with these First Nations on their interests through Network implementation and site designation processes. Feedback from early engagement has informed the development of the Network Action Plan, including Network design and identification of Category 3 areas for future planning. First Nations’ input has also been organized, recorded, and saved to ensure that it is available for consideration during MPA site designation.

In some cases, further discussions with First Nations are required to clarify next steps during the site designation phase. References to this have been included in relevant site profiles.