Canada announces new Indigenous-led marine refuges off British Columbia coast

The Haida Nation will work with the Canadian government to manage two new marine refuges designed to protect salmon species, as well as other marine life like sea birds, herring, and harbor seals.The G̲aw K̲áahlii Marine Refuge and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuge are located in Haida Gwaii, an archipelago in the province of British Colombia. The G̱aw Ḵáahlii Marine Refuge will encompass 22.42 square kilometers, while the X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuge will encompass another 7.16 square kilometers.The new protected areas were established under the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), an initiative launched in June 2024 to foster Indigenous-led marine conservation along the country’s west coast. As such, they will be co-managed by the Council of the Haida Nation and the Canada Department of Fish and Oceans (DFO)."G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii hold great significance to the Haida Nation,” Council of Haida Nation President Gaagwiis Jason Alsop said in a release. ...