What are Marine Protected Areas?

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of ocean set aside to help restore populations of fish and marine species. . They can rightly be called Marine Productivity Areas. As well, they assist in the restoration of the complex reefs, plants and structures of the sea floor and other marine species that are essential for the health of the ocean. MPA’s are sanctuaries for conserving healthy, diverse and productive ocean ecosystems, along with fisheries and a host of other precious marine gems.

Establishing a network of Marine Protect Areas in Pncima ensures the sustainability of Pncima for the long term, yet setting aside areas for protection must be done as part of a planning process that works together with First Nations, stakeholders and with consideration of economic uses of the region.

Canada's MPAs on the world stage
In 2002, the World Parks Congress recommended that 20-30% of every habitat in the oceans be given full protection from extractive uses. These areas are known as no take MPAs.

As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Canada has a duty to uphold its commitment to establish and maintain a comprehensive, effectively managed and ecologically representative national system of MPAs.

In Pncima there are currently a mixture of conservation zones, conservancies, protected areas, wildlife management areas, ecological reserves, Wildlife Reserves, Provincial Parks, and a National Park (Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site and the proposed Gwaii Haanas Marine Conservation Area). All of these designations provide different levels of protection and allow different levels of activities. Although some key habitats and species are being offered protection in these areas, the planning and management is not part of an integrated plan. This means that while some ecosystem components are protected in some areas they are vulnerable in others.