The Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) covers an area of approximately 88,000 square kilometers in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of British Columbia. Its waters are biologically diverse and contain thousands of fish, invertebrate and plant species. The undersea environment is dynamic and a source of food, jobs and recreation for thousands of Canadians.

In 2004, the federal government identified PNCIMA as one of five large ocean management areas in which to pilot integrated management planning. The area currently supports diverse marine activities including: commercial and recreational fisheries, First Nations' traditional use, marine tourism, shipping and transportation and aquaculture. Alternative offshore energy projects, new commercial fisheries and shellfish aquaculture initiatives are also emerging industries in the region. The PNCIMA process will bring the area's stakeholders together to apply integrated management practices to the region.

In December 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Coastal First Nations, and the North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society. This document confirmed the commitment of all three parties to integrated marine use planning in the PNCIMA region to achieve the shared goals of maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems and sustaining local marine economies