A brief history of Pncima

In 2002, the Government of Canada formally recognized the importance of the Pacific North Coast in Canada’s Ocean Strategy. The Oceans Strategy called for the development of an Integrated Management plan for the Pacific North Coast, so they designated the region the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area.

The Oceans Strategy gives the context to develop a comprehensive marine management plan for Pncima by working together with local, provincial, federal and First Nations governments. It was recognized that the ecological, economic and social importance of this area fully justifies the need for a comprehensive management plan and the announcement in the Oceans Strategy was a first step towards managing Pncima for future generations.

Since this initial commitment for Pncima in 2002, what followed was a series of failed initiatives and broken promises. Fisheries and Oceans Canada failed to take meaningful action beyond the platitudes for progressive ocean management.

However, in December of 2008 a formal governance agreement between coastal First Nations and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was signed. This agreement initiates planning in Pncima and with it comes hope. Hope that the people who live and work in Pncima will engage and provide meaningful input into the ocean resource that they rely on so intimately. The arrangement between the coastal First Nations and the Canadian Government provides the context for active stakeholder engagement. The best plan can only be realized when the people who live and work in Pncima participate in the plan.