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BC Parks wants to speak with people who go boating on B.C.’s coastal waters and who visit marine parks: “Hearing about a variety of experiences on the B.C. coast will help us make BC Parks marine services, such as policies and digital tools, better for a broad range of park visitors.  The Marine visitor research recruitment survey can be found at: https://helpshapebc.gov.bc.ca/bc-parks-marine-visitor-researchWho we want to speak with:We want to speak with all types of marine visitors who stay overnight eitheron the boat or camping ashore.  We want to hear from novices to experts, whouse any kind of boat, including kayaks, canoes, sailboats,…

A historically important and ecologically rich area about 100 kilometres north of Vancouver Island on the BC coast is now protected in perpetuity, thanks to a generous donation from the Tula Foundation’s Eric Peterson and Christina Munck.55 acres on Calvert Island has been transferred to the BC Parks Foundation with the intention that it will become part of the Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy. The conservancy is more than 1,200 square kilometres of land and sea. “This is not just any piece of real estate; it is an extraordinary place,” says Eric Peterson. “First, its geography alone makes it special. This corner of the Central Coast…

Early in the 1990’s, the Council of B.C. Yacht Clubs, through its members, embarked upon the task of formulating a catalogue of safe anchorages throughout the coast of British Columbia Intended for the specific use of small vessels where there would be reasonable confidence of secure anchoring on arrival and a peaceful night. This catalogue provides also valuable input for the current discussions about the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR). Check it out in our resources section.

On Tuesday March 19 and Wednesday March 20, the Pender Harbour and Area Residents Association (PHARA) in conjunction with SeaWolf Diving and the Ocean Legacy Foundation will be retrieving abandoned nets (also known as ghost gear) and other pollutants (batteries, plastic, etc) from the waters of kalpilin/Pender Harbour. This project was authorized by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. These materials have been abandoned on the ocean floor for many years in the past when there was much less concern for our environment. That attitude has changed in recent years and whales, dolphins, herring and other sea life are increasingly frequenting our…

Transport Canada is asking for feedback from recreational boaters along with the shipping industry on the reworked federal Navigable Waters Act.This is an opportunity to weigh in on restrictions to navigation, ‘unscheduled’ navigable waters and ‘minor works’ such as mooring buoy congestion. The feedback submission is open until May 5, 2024.https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/consultations/canadian-navigable-waters-act-legislative-review

The government of Canada, through Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the province of British Columbia, and the Nations are collaboratively assessing the potential conservation benefits and socio-economic implications of establishing an NMCAR in the region. Engagement with each partnering First Nation’s elected and hereditary leadership, as well as broader community members is integral to the NMCAR process. In addition, feedback from Central Coast community members, stakeholders, local governments, and the Canadian public is being gathered during the feasibility assessment process. This project, leads by Parks Canada, is currently at step 3 of 5 – “Assess the feasibility of…