Dare to be Deep in the Southern Strait of Georgia

MEC and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) joined forces back in 2004 with a common goal of protecting our beautiful country’s wild spaces. Not only has this partnership allowed us to fund dozens of conservation initiatives instigated by CPAWS, but it also gave birth to The Big Wild. It was therefore normal for MEC to support Dare to be Deep, CPAWS’ latest campaign.

“With less than 1% of our oceans protected, Canada lags far behind other countries in marine conservation. CPAWS has identified 12 important marine areas that have long been proposed for protection. And we’re just getting started. Our goal is that Canada will become a world leader in marine conservation.”

Sabine Jessen, CPAWS National Marine Program Manager

Long-term, the campaign’s goal is to ensure Canada establishes networks of marine protected areas in all of our oceans and great freshwater lakes. To get there, CPAWS first wants to create 12 new marine protected areas by December 2012. Many of the 12 locations have long been proposed as protected areas and they are critical to conserve for the future of our planet. They are extraordinary places that nurture fish stocks and shelter endangered species, like right and blue whales, tufted puffins and leatherback turtles. They are also amazing destinations for nature lovers to awe at the wonders above and below the ocean’s surface. Unfortunately, because our oceans are threatened by overfishing, trawling, fish farming, oil and gas exploration and development, ocean noise, and climate change, it is essential for us to establish protected areas to ensure biodiversity.

How can you help? Learning about the issue is a good start. That’s why over the next 12 months, we’re going to tell you about the 12 proposed areas and their respective threats. You can also take action by signing the petition and encouraging your family and friends to do the same. Ready? Let’s head out to BC’s Southern Strait of Georgia.

Known as SQELATES (meaning “home”) by the Coast Salish people, this marine treasure lies between Vancouver and Victoria. Its lush kelp forests and sea grass beds, along with plankton and marine life larvae, constitute the foundation of a complex food chain. The various invertebrates and small schooling fish that feed there in turn become food for bigger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.

According to Parks Canada, “The southern end of the Strait is the most heavily utilized and impacted of all the marine regions on the west coast of Canada. Increasing urbanization and associated economic activity in the region have created stress on the marine environment, and there is visible evidence of significant habitat alteration and loss, deteriorating water quality and declining populations of many species.” This is why the BC Chapter of CPAWS is working with conservation groups, scientists, and various stakeholders to protect the Southern Strait of Georgia.

There’s already some good news to report: last October 13, the Canadian and British Columbian governments announced their commitment to proceed with a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA), with a boundary that extends from Haro Strait to Gabriola Passage. Discussions are underway with local First Nations to establish an interim management plan.

If you share our belief that these emerald waters need to become a marine protected area, then I urge you to sign the petition and help CPAWS collect the 12,000 signatures it hopes to get before presenting the petition to the government.

To learn more:

• CPAWS’ Dare to be Deep Campaign
• BC Chapter’s work in the Southern Strait of Georgia
• Parks Canada’s proposal for a Marine Conservation Area Reserve
• Wikipedia article on the Strait of Georgia