Understanding the Compounding Impacts of MPAs on Commercial Harvesters in BC

A new paper, Understanding the Compounding Impacts of Marine Protected Areas on Commercial Harvesters in British Columbia, has now been published following several years of collaboration between researchers from the University of Victoria, commercial fish harvesters, the T. Buck Suzuki Foundation, and the United Fishermen & Allied Workers Union (UFAWU-Unifor).

The study documents the lived experiences of small and medium-scale commercial harvesters who have been directly affected by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) across the coast. Through in-depth interviews, researchers explored how harvesters process the impacts of spatial closures on their economic, social, cultural, health, environmental, and governance-related wellbeing.

Commercial fishing vessels at anchor in coastal waters at sunset

Wellbeing Impacts Identified in the Research

Harvesters have described the impacts of MPAs as multiple and compounding, intersecting across six domains of human wellbeing:

Economic Wellbeing

Harvesters reported that reduced access to fishing grounds forces them to travel farther, work in smaller available areas, and spend more on fuel, bait, and time. These rising costs shorten seasons, decrease efficiency, and erode financial stability for fishing families and coastal communities.

Social Wellbeing

Spatial closures have increased crowding and competition in remaining open areas, which heightens tensions and conflict on the water, and reduces fishing time per area.

Health Wellbeing

Displacement linked to closures pushes harvesters into more dangerous conditions, including rougher weather and less-ideal fishing grounds. Participants emphasized the mental health impacts of uncertainty, financial anxiety, and fear for the sector’s future, describing widespread stress, burnout, and a lack of support.

Coastal islands and open ocean viewed from a forested shoreline in British Columbia

Cultural Wellbeing

Fishing is a cornerstone of family identity and coastal culture. Many harvesters described a loss of connection as traditionally fished areas close and as younger generations reconsider entering the industry. The erosion of intergenerational knowledge and cultural continuity was repeatedly mentioned as a significant (and often overlooked) impact.

Governance Wellbeing

Interviewees expressed concerns about transparency and trust in MPA processes. Many felt their own data had been used to close areas of high fishing value, and that consultation processes did not meaningfully incorporate their knowledge. Lack of clarity around motivations, including the intersection with reconciliation objectives, further eroded confidence in the process.

Environmental Wellbeing

Harvesters noted that displacement concentrates fishing effort in fewer areas, which they fear could create localized “dead zones” or increased habitat pressure outside MPA boundaries. They also pointed out that increased travel distances raise fuel use and carbon emissions, running counter to broader sustainability goals.

Commercial harvester hauling a prawn trap aboard a fishing vessel

Looking Ahead: Balancing Conservation and Commercial Fishing

The paper emphasizes the importance of monitoring not only ecological outcomes, but also the social, cultural, and economic effects of MPAs. Recommendations include tracking indicators such as mental health, infrastructure loss, displacement patterns, and the long-term outlook for viability within the sector.

This research demonstrates that policies related to marine conservation must account for the cumulative pressures facing fish harvesters today. As Canada moves toward its 30x30 commitments, understanding and addressing these impacts will be essential to ensuring sustainable, community-centred ocean governance.

Full paper: Understanding the Compounding Impacts of Marine Protected Areas on Commercial Harvesters in British Columbia is currently hosted on our website.