The BC Marine Trails is thrilled by the announcement of BC’s first Coastal Marine Strategy. This landmark initiative represents the province’s inaugural shared vision for protecting our coastline, striving to balance the needs of coastal communities with environmental preservation. Find the document linked below.
As paddlers, we deeply appreciate the diversity, rich habitats, and abundant wildlife of the BC coast, along with the recreational opportunities it offers. We are also acutely aware of the challenges it faces, including pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Many of our members have witnessed these issues firsthand while removing marine debris or observing the decline of Western Red Cedar at recreation sites.
The B.C. Coastal Marine Strategy outlines the collective actions required to steward our marine resources responsibly. It emphasizes the importance of not only benefiting from the coast but also giving back through stewardship efforts. The strategy primarily focuses on nearshore areas and activities under the jurisdiction of the B.C. government, while also acknowledging the shared responsibility of local, regional, and federal governments. As a nonprofit, we are committed to participating in and promoting these stewardship efforts.
The strategy is built around four major themes:
- Healthy marine ecosystems
- Resilience to climate change
- Thriving coastal economies and communities
- Informed governance
These themes apply broadly across the BC coast, aiming to create a sustainable and resilient coastal environment.
Co-developed by a provincial team and coastal First Nations, the strategy has received strong support from several nonprofits, including West Coast Environmental Law and CPAWS BC, who have long advocated for a provincial strategy. Remarkably, we have been one of the few regions in North America without such a strategy until now.
