Marine and coastal management

We envision our future as one where the oceans and coastlines of British Columbia (B.C.) are safeguarded through First Nations leadership. Through the Marine and Coastal Management program, FNFC is working to support the development of broader collaborative processes for coastal First Nations and provincial and federal ministries with responsibilities related to oceans management, planning, and protection in B.C.

FNFC supports First Nations to:
• Lead the implementation of reconciliation commitments in marine management processes through DRIPA and UNDRIP.
• Develop proactive Indigenous-led approaches to marine conservation, ecosystem-based management, governance structures, and policy and program design.
• Root decision-making processes related to marine management in Indigenous Knowledge, values, and traditional laws.
• Build collaborative relationships between First Nations, discuss common challenges that impact their Nations and Territories, and work together toward shared objectives.
• Create systems for community-based marine research and data collection, governance, and protection of ocean habitats.
• Build First Nations’ capacity in marine and coastal conservation, protection, management, and policy.
• Amplify First Nations’ priorities in provincial and federal marine processes.

Watch the video to see how FNFC is working to build relationships between First Nations and the federal government to advance marine stewardship in British Columbia

Ongoing Work

Oceans Protection Plan
The Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) is a federal initiative launched in 2016 that aims to build meaningful Indigenous partnerships for effective marine and coastal management. FNFC convenes committees comprised of First Nations in the south coast of B.C. to participate in OPP initiatives such as the regional south coat Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping intiative. For more information on our involvement in OPP, please visit here.

B.C.’s Coastal Marine Strategy
In the fall of 2020, the Province of British Columbia committed to developing a province-wide Coastal Marine Strategy (CMS) to enhance stewardship and guide the use of coastal marine environments. FNFC has worked with the Province to engage First Nations in the drafting of this strategy through supporting First Nations’ Leadership Sessions, co-writing the strategy’s Intentions Paper, and holding an Indigenous youth forum in March 2023 to incorporate youth input into the CMS. The CMS holds the potential to transform key aspects of coastal management in B.C., and FNFC is eager to continue to support meaningful involvement of First Nations in the implementation of this strategy to ensure that it aligns with First Nations priorities and the Province’s commitments to reconciliation.