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Supporting coastal marine health in B.C. with new stewardship projects

Press Release

More First Nations led projects further B.C.’s first-ever Coastal Marine Strategy

VICTORIA –

Summary

  • In collaboration with 23 First Nations and organizations, the Province will invest more than $2.5 million in 2026 toward 20 marine stewardship projects along the coast
  • These projects strengthen the health of coastal marine ecosystems, support traditional food systems, reduce pollution and build more resilient coastlines
  • These investments are key actions in B.C.’s Coastal Marine strategy, and advance Indigenous-led stewardship

More than 20 new projects are underway to support coastal economies and help keep B.C.’s coastal marine ecosystems healthy, including innovative solutions, such as kelp restoration and monitoring using AI technology and survey work using submersible remotely operated vehicles.

“Our coast sustains all of us, providing food, livelihoods and connection, and it’s our responsibility to care for it in return,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “By working in partnership with First Nations to restore habitats, reduce pollution, strengthen shoreline resilience and support traditional food systems, these initiatives turn Indigenous-led stewardship into lasting action, giving back to the waters and lands that have cared for communities for generations, and to ensure our shores remain healthy and resilient for the future.”

The Province has committed more than $2.5 million and is partnering with 23 coastal First Nations and organizations on projects that span B.C.’s coastline.

Projects support families, jobs and coastal communities, and have created local employment opportunities for many people. The projects began this past winter and continue into the spring and future years, with a focus on:

  • restoring near-shore habitats and improving shoreline resilience
  • cleaning up and preventing future marine pollution
  • supporting traditional seafood systems
  • contributing to wild salmon recovery
  • scaling up capacity for kelp monitoring
  • supporting Indigenous-led guidance for responsible marine recreation and tourism

Furthering the B.C. Coastal Marine Strategy

Following the recent historic agreement to establish a new national marine conservation area reserve on the central coast, this is another step in the Province’s efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems, while supporting the people and communities that depend on them.

These new projects help advance the goals of the B.C. Coastal Marine Strategy, released in July 2024, and reflect government’s commitment to reconciliation, shared stewardship and Indigenous leadership in protecting marine environments.

The B.C. Coastal Marine Strategy provides a framework for collaborative action with First Nations, local governments, communities and partners to ensure healthy, resilient coastal and marine ecosystems that support food security, cultural practices and sustainable economies. Co-developed with many coastal First Nations, the strategy sets out a vision for a diverse, productive and resilient coastal marine environment that is valued in its own right and that supports the prosperity, health and well-being of coastal communities now and into the future.

World Oceans Day

June 8 is celebrated internationally as World Oceans Day, a day to recognize oceans as a life source, producing at least 50% of Earth’s oxygen, home to most of the world’s biodiversity and providing the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. The ocean is also a key economic driver, often referred to as the “blue economy,” employing more than 130,000 people in B.C. and contributing an estimated $1.5 trillion per year to the global economy.

Quotes:

Chief Don Svanvik, ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation –

“The ’Na̱mg̱is are very pleased with the assistance in cleaning up debris and derelict vessels from our beach. We are hopeful it will inspire people to be more careful and work harder at looking after and respecting our environment. A responsibility we all share. Gilakasla.”

Chief Harley Chappell, Semiahmoo First Nation –

“Semiahmoo First Nation is very pleased to access the supports of the coastal marine strategy. Semiahmoo strives to strengthen our access to our traditional food sources within our traditional territory. We are pleased to partner with B.C. to further our food-security needs.”

Mandala Smulders, director of operations, Redd Fish Restoration –

“This funding has supported one of the largest kelp restoration projects in coastal British Columbia, led by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Redd Fish Restoration Society, advancing Indigenous-led stewardship, while rebuilding critical near-shore habitats essential to salmon, biodiversity and the health of coastal ecosystems. This project would not be possible without the help of Coastal Marine Strategy funding.”

Learn More:

A backgrounder follows.Contact:Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSmedia@gov.bc.ca
250-419-8775

What to know about coastal marine stewardship projects

The Province has provided more than $2.5 million to support the following coastal marine stewardship projects:

Supporting marine planning and responsible use of the coast

  • Marine plan updates: Kwiakah First Nation, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, Gwa’sala‑’Nakwaxda’xw Nations, and Homalco First Nation are reviewing proposed updates to the Marine Plan Partnership North Vancouver Island Marine Plan. Homalco First Nation is also doing Guardian-led remotely operated vehicle surveys in the upper Discovery Islands and Bute Inlet to identify sensitive habitats and support future marine planning.
  • Community engagement on marine use: The Squamish Nation is working with youth, Elders and harvesters to understand pressures on traditional harvesting and guide future marine planning.
  • Aquatic plant policy engagement: The Songhees Nation hosted a May 2026 workshop with provincial staff and 30 coastal First Nations to help shape how aquatic plants are managed. A separate session is also being held with modern Treaty Nations.

Protecting shorelines and restoring marine ecosystems

  • Shoreline restoration at ĆIETṈEW̱ÁLE (Owl’s Nest Beach): Near Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island, Tsartlip First Nation, together with Peninsula Streams Society and SeaChange, is restoring the shoreline, so far having removed more than 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) of debris and planning for next steps.
  • Indigenous-led nature-based shoreline projects: Stz’uminus First Nation, with support from the Stewardship Centre for BC, is advancing B.C.’s first Indigenous-led Green Shores project, along with training and tools to support long-term stewardship. At Xwaaqw’um (Burgoyne Bay) on Salt Spring Island, Stqeeye’ Learning Society is leading culturally significant shoreline restoration planning. This work is being supported by the Stewardship Centre for BC through community workshops, concept design and feasibility studies.
  • Kelp restoration and AI-enhanced monitoring: In Clayoquot Sound, Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nation, in partnership with Redd Fish Restoration Society, launched a first-of-its-kind kelp restoration project using AI technology. They have created of 0.42 hectares of new kelp habitat so far, and are monitoring fish populations with AI‑enabled underwater cameras.

Supporting traditional food systems and shellfish health

  • Beach ecology and clam-health testing: Esquimalt Nation is assessing beach conditions and testing clam populations at priority sites to guide stewardship efforts and future safe harvesting opportunities.
  • Semiahmoo Bay Healthy Shellfish Initiative: Across the Semiahmoo Bay watershed, Semiahmoo First Nation, working with local governments and partners, is leading a project to increase water-quality testing to better understand where and when shellfish can be safely harvested.
  • Shellfish knowledge-sharing and restoration: At Coles Bay, Pauquachin First Nation is hosting community events to share knowledge on sea-garden restoration and shellfish stewardship, while developing a shellfish management plan.

Preventing and cleaning up marine pollution

  • Derelict dock removal at Bazan Bay: Tsawout First Nation is removing a large derelict dock, weighing around 158,757 kilograms (350,000 pounds) to prevent contamination and restore the shoreline.
  • Derelict vessel removal in Alert Bay: ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation has led marine cleanup in Alert Bay through the safe removal, deconstruction and recycling of five derelict vessels. This project is reducing pollution and restoring local marine habitat while creating employment opportunities for ’Na̱mg̱is members to participate in hands‑on technical work.
  • Marine debris cleanup and equipment: Using a new underwater remotely operated vehicle, Klahoose First Nation is leading marine debris cleanup activities around Cortes Island and nearby waters.
  • Polystyrene dock float disposal: shíshálh Nation is working with Ocean Legacy Foundation to host Turn It In events to collect and responsibly dispose of polystyrene foam from local docks. Additional marine cleanup and prevention efforts will be supported through March 2028, strengthening long‑term efforts for nearshore and shoreline health.

Building stewardship skills and monitoring coastal health

  • South Coast kelp monitoring training: Across Vancouver Island, the B.C. government, Marine Plan Partnership and the Hakai Institute are providing on the water kelp monitoring training to Tsawout, T’Sou‑ke, Tsartlip, Songhees, Esquimalt, Malahat and Pacheedaht First Nations to support stewardship and sustainable harvesting.
  • Marine site reviews for responsible recreation: In the north Vancouver Island area, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation and Homalco First Nation, working with BC Marine Trails, are reviewing marine recreation sites to identify cultural areas and guide responsible public use.

Implementing the B.C. Coastal Marine Strategy (all running 2026-29)

  • Supporting First Nations’ leadership and co-ordination in implementing priority coastal marine strategy actions: Through 2029, the Province is supporting Nanwakolas Council, Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative, and the First Nations Fisheries Council to lead and co-ordinate priority coastal marine strategy work with Nations on the B.C. coast, including delivering projects focused on marine cleanup and pollution prevention, youth stewardship, fisheries economy, environmental monitoring and responsible use.

Contact:Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSmedia@gov.bc.ca
250-419-8775

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