Haida Gwaii Offshore Marine Protected Area

Description

Ecological Context

This site encompasses the offshore areas along the west coast of Haida Gwaii, running as far north as Fredrick Island and south to Cape St. James. This represents portions of the Dixon Entrance, Continental Slope, Transitional Pacific, and Subarctic Pacific ecosections, and is an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA). The continental slope experiences an upwelling current and is characterized by many oceanic ridges, steep sloping walls, troughs, and one of the only known seamounts in the NSB. The offshore sites along the west coast support many different species of conservation concern, species at risk, and unique species, including Pacific halibut, various rockfish and groundfish, various whales, leatherback sea turtles, Steller sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, marine birds, and corals and sponges.

Cultural Context

This site has high cultural and historic value, such as important travel routes for Haida from northern and southern communities to access fishing grounds along the west coast. These areas will contribute to the conservation of species significant to First Nations communities, including those important for cultural use and food security, such as rockfish and groundfish.

Human-Use Context

The offshore area on the west coast of Haida Gwaii supports commercial activities, including shipping, tourism, and fisheries. The southern zones (504 and 505) along the west coast continental shelf extend off the Gwaii Haanas Strict Protection Zones.

Shipping and cruise traffic in this region transit a Pacific Northwest Route (Southeast Alaska, Washington, and B.C. Ports), or along a Great Circle Route to Asia. Current management tools being implemented include the Tanker Traffic Moratorium Act, the Voluntary Tanker Exclusion Zone and the trial Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping on the West Coast of Haida Gwaii. Fisheries in the area have included crab, halibut, lingcod, rockfish, sablefish, salmon, and tuna.