The North Coast Marine Plan was developed through the Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Haisla, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum and Metlakatla First Nations – supported by the North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia.
The North Coast Plan area includes a spectacular ocean coastline with deep fjords, windswept headlands, ocean inlets, and thousands of islands.
The traditional marine territories of the Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Haisla, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum and Metlakatla lie within its scope.
First Nations have managed the territories and resources of the North Coast for millennia, and continue to rely on the bountiful and diverse ecosystems of the coast to sustain their vibrant cultures and economies.
The contemporary industrial economy of the North Coast has been built largely on a fishing, mining, and forestry resource base but has also depended on manufacturing and tourism-related activities. A commercial fishery has depended on salmon, cod, herring and shrimp, among others.
Their coastal waters support:
Commercial fishing, logging and processing have dominated the North Coast economy since the early 1900s. Growing sectors include recreational fishing, tourism and port activities.
The North Coast Plan identifies Tourism and Recreation Special Management Zones to develop economic opportunities while protecting ocean ecosystems and resources.
