Press Release
June 23, 2005
Spreading the Word About Marine Protected Areas
Several small businesses throughout the Gulf Islands and Victoria are providing for their customers a new Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-BC) pamphlet about the benefits of marine protected areas and the proposed National Marine Conservation Area for the southern Strait of Georgia.
The pamphlets are being distributed to tour operators, realtors, and small businesses throughout the Gulf Islands and whale watching businesses in Victoria.
"The health of the marine environment in the southern Strait of Georgia is an important part of the ecological, social and economic well-being of the Gulf Islands and surrounding communities," says Jodi Stark, CPAWS-BC Marine Campaigner.
Parks Canada is considering a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) for the southern Strait of Georgia. An NMCA is a type of marine protected area that would both conserve marine resources and ecosystems and accommodate a variety of human activities, including responsible whale watching and fishing.
"Helping residents and visitors understand what an NMCA is and how it could benefit local communities is vital," says Stark. "If people get behind this initiative to protect marine resources, the result will be an NMCA that is good for both marine ecosystems and island businesses."
The pamphlet explains what a marine protected areas is, why we need them and how they can help conserve marine resources. It also includes information on the proposed Southern Strait of Georgia NMCA.
The pamphlet is currently available from business on Pender, Mayne, Galiano, Gabriola, and Salt Spring Islands, and whale watching and boat tour operators in Victoria. Anyone else who would like to provide pamphlets to their customers and visitors can obtain them from CPAWS-BC.
CPAWS - British Columbia Chapter