The ocean is the heart of Pncima. It is a dinner table, a highway and a place rich with cultural history and natural heritage. Clearly, there are areas within this ocean region that are worthy of protection.
To date, less than 0.5% of Canada’s Oceans are protected in federally designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). There are no federally designated MPAs in Pncima.
Sustainable economies in Pncima are dependent on a healthy ocean. Restored and maintained populations of fish and other marine species are an essential component of a vibrant living ocean - to keep the heart of Pncima beating.
Across BC, economic activity that relies on the marine environment contributes $11 billion to provincial GDP and 168,000 person-years of employment, amounting to 7-8% of the provincial economy1. This resource simply cannot be jeopardized.
Establishing a network of Marine Protect Areas in Pncima ensures the ecological and economic sustainability of Pncima for the long term. Strategically positioned networks can protect vital ecosystem components and ensure that the connectivity between these components and larger ecosystems is maintained. Establishing this network; however, cannot and should not be done in isolation. To be effective and comprehensive, MPA networks must be part of an integrated plan.
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1. School of Resource and Environmental Management. Simon Fraser University (2009), Vancouver, BC: Canada. Chris Joseph, Thomas I. Gunton. Benefits of Marine Planning: An Assessment of Economic and Environmental Values. download>>
Play Coastal Fling. See how many friends you can get back home to
Pncima.
To date, less than 0.5% of Canada’s Oceans are protected in federally designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). There are no federally designated MPAs in Pncima. 
