The boundaries are drawn for a new marine conservation area in the Salish Sea.
Sea and soil from Gabriola Island to Cordova Bay and deep into the Saanich Inlet create the tentative boundary agreed on by the provincial and federal governments for the Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.
B次元官网网址淎fter years of studying the magnificent diversity of the southern Strait of Georgia, today we can say with confidence that we have reached a significant milestone,B次元官网网址� said Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent.
Kent alongside B.C. Minister of Environment Terry Lake, announced the agreement that moves the project into the next phase during a press conference at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre on Oct. 13.
B次元官网网址淭his proposed National Marine Conservation Marine Area Reserve will completely surround the newly created Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, ensuring ecosystem protection on both land and water in the southern Strait of Georgia,B次元官网网址� Kent said.
The proposed boundary encompasses 14,000 square kilometres of ocean habitat that extends from the southern tip of Gabriola Island into Saanich Inlet and down to Cordova Bay.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important that we have an area put aside on the West Coast of Canada that we protect,B次元官网网址� agreed Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, who kick started the stalled process when he served as B.C. Minister of Environment prior to Lake. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e done that with the national park on the Gulf Islands, and now weB次元官网网址檙e doing it with a reserve in the oceans, and I think that future generations will be very glad we did.B次元官网网址�
The Strait of Georgia is among the most productive marine ecosystems in the world due to fresh water from the Fraser River mixing with the ocean waters flooding through Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits. The area is home to some of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 iconic marine animals such as orca whales, salmon and seals.
B次元官网网址淏ritish Columbia is committed to marine protection in the southern Strait of Georgia, and designation as a marine conservation area will provide for permanent and rigorous environmental protection,B次元官网网址� Lake said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important that our decision reflects the needs of the public, and the communities and First Nations nearby, as well as the need for continued protection of this ecosystem.B次元官网网址�
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) also celebrated the announcement.
B次元官网网址淭he announcement today by the governments of Canada and British Columbia represents a good step forward in creating more national marine conservation areas in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 precious coastal waters,B次元官网网址� said Sabine Jessen, national manager, Oceans and Great Freshwater Lakes for CPAWS.
B次元官网网址淚n June we called on the federal government to create 12 new marine protected areas by the end of 2012. The southern Strait of Georgia was high on our list, so this is really great news.B次元官网网址�
The Strait of Georgia is one of 29 marine regions that Parks Canada aims to represent as part of the national marine conservation area system.
South of that Strait of Georgia marine region is the still tentative Rack Rocks marine protected area, which falls under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
B次元官网网址淧rotecting a body of water doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean guarding it from Canadians,B次元官网网址� Kent said. B次元官网网址淥ur goal in creating national marine conservation areas is to harmonize conservation practices with other valuable activities such as fishing or shipping and of course recreation. It is that type of harmonious use we hope to see here in the southern Strait of Georgia.B次元官网网址�
With the proposed boundary in place, the federal and provincial government will begin further in-depth consultations with First Nations.
If deemed practical and desirable, the two governments would then negotiate an agreement for the establishment of a national marine conservation area. Parks Canada would then co-ordinate an interim management plan with input from First Nations, stakeholders and the public.
The interim management plan would guide the management of the national marine conservation area for five years and is a required step before establishment can proceed.
Finally, Parks Canada would recommend to parliament the protection of the area under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act.
