The Haida Nation and federal government have announced a plan to co-manage an underwater mountain off the coast of Haida Gwaii.
The SGaan Kinghlas–Bowie Seamount area 180 km off Haida Gwaii is home to juvenile rockfish, sea stars, anemones, and rare and sensitive corals and sponges.
The Haida have a historical, spiritual and cultural connection with feature, which is said to be the home of a supernatural being known as SGaan Kinghlas, which in the Massett Haida dialect means “supernatural being looking outwards.”
The Haida Nation and Ottawa say the agreement is the product of more than 10 years of cooperative work and shows a shared commitment to conserve and protect this part of the ocean and its marine life.
“SGaan Kinghlas is a special place for the Haida Nation with spiritual significance, unique species, and sensitive habitat that is protected and will now be managed for future generations,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of the Haida Nation, in a news release, “The management plan was developed to embody Haida values and provides a respectful path for management and protection of the area consistent with the Haida Nation Constitution.”
Four implementation priorities are identified for the agreement: cooperative governance and adaptive co-management; research to support conservation outcomes; monitoring; and education and outreach.
