The TBuck Suzuki Foundation (TBSF) is thrilled to see the initiative shown by the Province of British Columbia in the development of the Coastal Marine Strategy (CMS). July 11th marked the release of B.C.’s new CMS, the provincial road map to cohesively governing marine resources on the West Coast. The delivery of the CMS represents new opportunities to extend vital resources to our marine ecosystems and coastal communities, to support thriving communities, fisheries, and marine ecosystems for current and future generations.
Along the coastline of B.C., communities dot the shore - each with its own unique history and culture - and each shares a life-sustaining relationship with the water. The ocean is at the heart of these communities – providing food, transportation, recreation, a sense of place, a spiritual connection, and much more. The culture of Indigenous and non-Indigenous coastal communities in this province is intimately bound to the marine ecosystem, fisheries and seafood.
Today, the communities along the coast of B.C. are facing a steep number of pressing challenges that are affecting the health and well-being of local people. Coastal communities are dealing with a disconnect from decision making, a changing climate, rapidly evolving ecosystems, declining investments, loss of community infrastructure, increasing competition over marine space, loss of access to fisheries, and increasingly complex marine management regimes. Local communities are feeling the impacts of these pressures and changes increasingly and with damaging results.
TBSF is encouraged by the components of the CMS directly addressing pollution prevention, monitoring coastal health, ecosystem remediation, and more inclusive and transparent governance measures. Having championed these values since its inception in 1981, TBSF continues to bring these themes to the forefront of the work being done on the coast, including within the construction of the Coastal Marine Strategy as a contributor to its development. See TBSF’s contributions here
The TBuck Suzuki Foundation believes that the benefits derived from access to B.C.’s fishery resources should flow to those who are actively doing the work of fishing and by extension to the adjacent coastal communities. To that end, TBSF has long been advocating for fishery license policy reform; development of an Owner Operator Policy for British Columbia is vital to the wellbeing of coastal communities.
The need for this change has become more apparent and dire as years pass with current licensing legislation encouraging further consolidation and corporatization of the fisheries that were once owned locally and fully benefited their adjacent communities (more on this issue at Fisheriesforcommunities.org).
Thankfully, the CMS outlines the provincial government’s commitment to support coastal economies and communities, specifically to advocate for the the adoption of owner-operator and fleet separation policies “to restore and strengthen the economic viability of B.C.’s harvesting sector, attract and retain new entrants from diverse backgrounds, support robust food systems and improve the distribution of benefits to local and First Nations economies and communities.” B.C. Coastal Marine Strategy, 2024, p.43.
The creation of a CMS presents an exciting opportunity to address the needs of coastal communities while enhancing the abundant ecosystems they call home. By centring communities, facilitating local dialogue, building respectful relationships, and embracing holistic knowledge sharing we’ll be able to tackle issues of climate change, social change, ecological resilience, culture, and economy together on our coast.