The Haida Gwaii protected marine areas will safeguard nearly 30 square kilometers of critical habitat for salmon, seabirds, and other marine species.
The Haida Nation and the Canadian government have joined forces to create two new Haida Gwaii protected marine areas off the coast of British Columbia. On Monday, Haida Nation President Gaagwiis Jason Alsop and Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced the formal establishment of the G̱aw Ḵáahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges.
These protected areas will safeguard vital habitat for salmon, sea birds, herring, and harbor seals in the waters around Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off British Columbia’s west coast.
The Haida Gwaii protected marine areas are the result of nearly 20 years of planning led by the Haida Nation. They represent a significant step in implementing the Haida Gwaii Marine Plan and advancing the goals outlined in the Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan.
These new refuges are two of three sites established under the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence initiative. This project aims to advance reconciliation and support Indigenous-led marine conservation along Canada’s west coast.
The Council of the Haida Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada will jointly manage the G̱aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges. This co-management approach respects the cultural significance of these waters while ensuring their ecological protection.
The areas were chosen based on traditional knowledge shared by Haida Elders and knowledge holders. During the Haida Marine Traditional Knowledge Study, these inlets were identified as key areas worthy of protection.
“G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii hold great significance to the Haida Nation,” said President Gaagwiis Jason Alsop in the announcement. “These inlets support a rich diversity of life, including all species of ts.íin | chiina salmon, íinang | iinang herring, and many others that are important for Haida and local food security.”
President Alsop emphasized the Haida concept of “Gin ‘laa hl isdaa.uu | ʹLaa guu ga k̲anhllns” – which expresses their responsibility to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the ocean’s bounty.
The new Haida Gwaii protected marine areas add nearly 30 square kilometers of protected ocean area to Canada’s conservation efforts. The G̱aw Ḵáahlii Marine Refuge covers 22.42 square kilometers, while the X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuge protects an additional 7.16 square kilometers.
A marine refuge is a long-term fisheries closure established under Canada’s Fisheries Act. These areas help protect important species, their habitats, and the broader ecosystem by limiting fishing activities that might damage sensitive marine environments.
Marine refuges are officially recognized as “Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures” (OECMs). This designation acknowledges their contribution to biodiversity conservation even though they may have been established primarily for other purposes.
The new Haida Gwaii protected marine areas bring Canada closer to its goal of protecting 30 percent of marine and coastal areas by 2030. This target aligns with international conservation commitments aimed at preserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable use of ocean resources.
The establishment of these marine refuges represents a milestone in the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative. This project, launched in June 2024, brought together 17 First Nations, the Canadian government, the Province of British Columbia, and Coast Funds to create a long-term funding mechanism supporting Indigenous-led conservation efforts in the region.
At the same time, these partners signed the Marine Protected Area Network Agreement. This agreement establishes a framework for 17 First Nations—including the Council of the Haida Nation—to work alongside Canada and British Columbia in planning and managing the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network throughout the Northern Shelf Bioregion.
Additionally, the Council of the Haida Nation, Canada, and British Columbia signed the Haida Nation MPA agreement. This agreement will guide co-governance in establishing and managing marine protected areas in Haida Gwaii waters.
Minister Thompson emphasized that protecting the marine environment remains a key priority for the Canadian government. She noted that these new marine refuges represent “a concrete step under the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence.”
According to Minister Thompson, the refuges will “safeguard the Northern Shelf Bioregion, support sustainable harvests, and leave a strong legacy for people who rely on these waters today and in the years ahead.”
The creation of these Haida Gwaii protected marine areas reflects Canada’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA). This legislation affirms the rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain their cultures, identities, and connections to traditional lands and waters.
See also: Gitdisdzu Lugyeks: World’s First Indigenous-Led Blue Park
By establishing these protected areas through partnership with the Haida Nation, the Canadian government is demonstrating its commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This collaborative approach recognizes the deep knowledge and connection that Indigenous communities have maintained with their traditional territories over thousands of years.
Marine refuges like G̱aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. By protecting key habitats, they help maintain biodiversity and build resilience against threats like climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
For the local communities of Haida Gwaii, these marine refuges help ensure continued access to traditional foods. By protecting salmon, herring, and other species important to local food security, the refuges support both cultural practices and sustainable livelihoods.
The establishment of these Haida Gwaii protected marine areas represents a positive step toward more sustainable management of marine resources. Through co-management between the Haida Nation and the Canadian government, these areas will benefit from both traditional ecological knowledge and scientific management approaches.
As Canada works toward its goal of protecting 30 percent of marine areas by 2030, partnerships with Indigenous communities will remain essential. The G̱aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges provide a model for how such collaborations can advance both conservation goals and reconciliation efforts.
