The MPA network planning process is an important initiative for protection and maintenance of marine biodiversity and ecological representation in the Northern Shelf Bioregion. It is an initiative established through a tripartite governance agreement between the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and 16 First Nations. A draft MPA Network design scenario, comprised of a map of areas proposed for conservation and a series of proposed management measures designed to protect conservation priorities for the region, was shared in February 2019 with non-signatory First Nations and in early spring 2019 with stakeholders.
Sites and management measures that comprise the draft scenario have not been endorsed by the governing partners. The draft network design aims to maximize ecological and cultural benefits, while minimizing social and economic impacts. It a starting point for further discussion and it is important to recognize there are opportunities for further analysis and refinement.
Ongoing collaborative work between partners, First Nations, local governments and stakeholders will be important in moving towards a refined network design. Five advisory committees have been established to represent stakeholder interests throughout the Northern Shelf Bioregion in this planning process. Network advisory committee members have been briefed on the draft design scenario and are currently engaging their constituents on the draft design. Capacity funding was provided to the commercial and recreational fishing sectors to support an industry led review of the draft network design.
The Marine Planning Team (MPT) and the Commercial Fishing Caucus (CFC) received funds to engage with the commercial fishing sector; and the Sport Fishing Institute (SFI) received funds to engage with the recreational fishing sector. Meetings with recreational fishers meetings took place last spring, and commercial sector meetings are taking place this fall. The deadline for input on the draft Network design scenario is January 30, 2020. Governance partners will consider all input received from Indigenous groups and stakeholders and anticipate sharing a revised network design for further later in 2020.
Public engagement is anticipated to focus on the revised Network design scenario. . More information on the MPA Network process can be found at:
http://mpanetwork.ca/bcnorthernshelf/ or by contacting:
info@mpanetwork.ca DFO Contacts – Karen Leslie (Regional Manager, Marine Spatial Planning, North Coast)
Karen.Leslie@dfo-mpo.gc.ca , Sheila Creighton (Integrated Oceans Management Advisor)
Sheila.Creighton@dfo-mpo.gc.ca