A major step in marine conservation has been achieved on B.C.’s North Coast, where the Gitga’at First Nation and Gitxaała Nation, in partnership with the Province, have established a new 1,450-hectare Wildlife Management Area in the Great Bear Sea.
Located in the Kishkosh and Kitkiata inlets southeast of Prince Rupert, the protected area features vital ecosystems including eelgrass meadows, kelp beds, and habitat for humpback whales, wild salmon, seabirds, and shellfish. These waters are not only ecologically rich but are also essential to the food security and cultural heritage of coastal First Nations.
The Gitga’at and Gitxaała Nations will co-develop and co-manage the area with the Province, ensuring conservation efforts align with Indigenous stewardship, community needs, and sustainable use. The protection supports broader goals outlined in the Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan and B.C.’s 2024 Coastal Marine Strategy.
The new designation builds on years of work by Indigenous leaders and coastal communities to secure the future of their lands and waters. It does not affect current resource approvals but will guide future activity to align with long-term conservation.
More information is available at: news.gov.bc.ca
Comments