Coastal Marine Strategy update

The B.C. Provincial government’s Coastal Marine Strategy is intended to be a comprehensive plan to address the health and stewardship of marine ecosystems and resilience of coastal communities. Co-developed by the Government of British Columbia and Indigenous Nations, the Strategy was open for public comment from December 15, 2022 - April 14, 2023. 

Living Oceans and colleagues submitted a joint letter to indicate our support for a co-developed Coastal Marine Strategy and to emphasize the importance of the work to come. The Intentions Paper that kicked off the process was very high-level and at the same time ambitious. Our letter observed that, to be a success, a Coastal Marine Strategy should be supported by legislation and include measurable and time-bound goals, monitoring and public reporting. 

The next step in the process is the release of the Province’s “What We Heard” report, summarizing the public comment. It was supposed to be released “late spring/early summer” which, technically, has already passed. So, “soon”.  Stay tuned!