MPA Network//
Why our coast needs a Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network.
Our Coast Needs your Help.
Industrial overfishing, bottom draggers, poachers, and foreign fleets are plundering the wealth of BC’s coast.
More than half the fish stocks in British Columbia are considered unhealthy, including numerous groundfish, as well as different salmon and herring populations.
The good news is there’s a proven way to protect our coast from these threats.
Marine Protected Area Networks are an extremely effective tool for rebuilding fisheries and food systems, recovering ecosystems, and ensuring coastal communities thrive into the future.
The Great Bear Sea MPA Network will not only protect 30 percent of the Great Bear Sea but will also supercharge abundance for commercial fishing because recovering fish populations spill out of the protected areas into adjacent fishing grounds. A Marine Protected Area Network on our coast is the solution.
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Unlocking Ocean Wealth: New Study Finds That Marine Protected Areas Boost Fisheries and Eco-Tourism
A new study has found that marine protected areas are key to boosting fisheries’ success and growing ecotourism opportunities.
Recently Discovered Rare Coral Reef on BC’s Central Coast is Now Protected
Lophelia reef in the Finlayson Channel is the only live coral reef in Canada’s Pacific.
How Marine Protected Areas Benefit Fisheries
MPAs present a science-backed solution that promises not only to protect marine biodiversity but also to enhance the productivity and sustainability of fisheries.
The Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network
The benefits of the Great Bear Sea MPA Network are virtually endless, from protecting coastal habitats to supporting healthy ecosytems.
What are Marine Protected Areas?
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated areas of the ocean and coastal regions which are managed to protect marine ecosystems, habitats, and species while also enhancing local and regional fishing stocks.
The Great Bear Sea: A Thriving Marine System Essential for Our Coastal Economy
The Great Bear Sea is one of the most biodiverse and unique places on the planet and a true British Columbian treasure. Unfortunately, its marine abundance has been a magnet for industrial extraction, which has damaged marine habitats and left many species, from ancient sponge glass reefs to salmon, at risk.