Category 3 Areas

Ecological context

This area encompasses the western portion of Vancouver Island from Brooks Bay north, and eastern portions from Campbell River north. It also encompasses islands including Quadra Island, Read Island, and the Broughton Archipelago in the south, and north to Hope and Nigei Islands. The many inlets on the mainland, including Bute Inlet and Phillips Arm in the south, and north to Smith Sound, are also within this area, with the exception of portions within Loughborough Inlet and Knight Inlet (where Category 1 sites are proposed).

With its diverse characteristics of highly productive estuaries, high quality aquatic environments that support both spawning salmon and resident fish species, sandy beaches, steep mainland fjords, sheltered bays, and strong tidal currents, this area provides a variety of ecological uniqueness. NVI is an interface of two major bodies of water and complex shorelines, which affords a rich and diverse marine environment with rare species and migratory birds using the variety of habitats for spawning, breeding, or rearing.

First Nations cultural context

The area is critically important to local First Nations, both culturally and spiritually, and for the harvest of marine resources including eelgrass, birds, crabs, salmon, shellfish, and herring. There are many sites of cultural and spiritual importance to First Nations in the area, including several historical and present village sites, fishing and hunting grounds, and locations for collection of various plants and medicines used throughout the seasons.

Human use context

This site is a regionally important destination for marine recreation. Recreational opportunities include scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing, beachcombing, and boating. There is significant recreational salmon fishing in the area and several sheltered anchorages for small boats.

This is also a significant area for commercial uses, including various fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. It is important for gillnet, seine, and troll salmon fisheries, and some rockfish and shellfish (prawn, urchin, crab, sea cucumber, scallop) fisheries. Industrial uses include log handling and storage and transportation, among others.