FAQs

Where is PNCIMA?

PNCIMA stretches from Canada’s northern border with Alaska south to Bute Inlet on the mainland, across to Campbell River on the east side of Vancouver Island and the Brooks Peninsula on the west side of Vancouver Island. Its western boundary is the base of the shelf slope. PNCIMA boundaries were determined based on oceanographic processes, watershed boundaries that influence the marine area, and the northern political boundary with the USA.

What is the ultimate goal of the PNCIMA planning process?

Under the Oceans Act, the goal of the PNCIMA planning process is to ensure sustainable human use and conserve ecological diversity of the marine area. This will be achieved by developing plans that identify integrated and adaptive management strategies and actions.

What is the vision for PNCIMA?

The vision for PNCIMA will be discussed collectively by all participants in the process. A focus of the first PNCIMA Forum was to identify key components of the vision using input provided by Forum participants. Further details around the development of a vision will be forthcoming.

What are the objectives for PNCIMA?

The overarching objective for the PNCIMA planning process is to develop a management plan that will integrate environmental, cultural and socio-economic objectives of the area. Specific objectives for each of these elements have not yet been determined for PNCIMA. They will be developed collectively by all participants in the process, and will be based on a PNCIMA-specific knowledge base, shared values and developing a common understanding of opportunities and threats. Once strategic objectives have been developed, they will be translated into operational objectives and performance indicators.

What will success look like?

A successful process and plan will include an agreed vision, definition of ecosystem-based management, ecological, socio-economic, and cultural objectives, operational objectives and performance indicators, and spatial use and conservation zoning recommendations.

Will PNCIMA influence decision-making?

A sound management plan that balances interests, is grounded by information, analysis and effective consultation and is broadly supported amongst affected parties is likely to bear influence with decision-makers. PNCIMA will not establish a new regulatory framework or fetter any existing legal authorities, but recommendations that arise from the PNCIMA planning process can then be considered by decision makers as they carry out their jurisdictional responsibilities.

How will the PNCIMA process fit into existing regulatory processes such as the Environmental Assessment process?

The PNCIMA process will not supersede existing legislation or the ability of the federal or provincial governments to carry out their regulatory activities. However, in implementing the plan, government departments and agencies can use their regulatory authorities and powers to fulfill or contribute to the objectives and management strategies contained in the plan.

Why do we need an integrated management process if existing mechanisms are already in place to resolve a variety of management issues?

While a variety of existing mechanisms representing a multitude of interests do exist within the PNCIMA region, the current approach creates uncertainty, conflict and environmental risks. The PNCIMA process will provide a mechanism for better integration and coordination of new and existing processes in the PNCIMA region. The process will help create greater certainty and stability by seeking direction from multiple interests to develop a long-term vision and objectives.

Will this process result in restrictions of access to geographic areas within the PNCIMA?

An integrated management plan might propose that certain areas be opened up to new use, while other areas be restricted, based on the information & analysis provided to the process and through input from effective engagement. However, it is too early in the process to say what the results of the plan will be. The PNCIMA planning process will consider both economic opportunities and ecological sustainability of the region, and participants in the process will work together to find solutions that provide the greatest benefit to all interested parties. This is why it is so important that all stakeholders are involved in the process.

Is there a plan to break down the PNCIMA region into more manageable sections to ensure that area-specific interests are addressed?

While Canada’s Oceans Strategy discusses integrated management for large ocean management areas (eg, PNCIMA-scale), planning and engagement may need to occur at different scales in order to be locally relevant. Some issues will require engaging people at the local level (eg, Coastal Management Areas, First Nations’ planning areas, regional districts). For example, cruise ship traffic would likely be addressed at the PNCIMA scale, whereas activities that are undertaken in a specific channel or archipelago would likely be best addressed at a smaller scale.

How will you ensure that the lines of communication are open to all stakeholders?

Following the PNCIMA Forum, the PNCIMA Secretariat will work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy based on the input received during preparatory meetings and at the Forum. This strategy will include commitments to, and mechanisms for, regular communication with stakeholders. The planning process must be open, transparent, accountable and fair as per our obligations under the Oceans Act and Canada’s Oceans Strategy.

What is the basis of the federal government’s commitment to PNCIMA?

The Oceans Act commits the Government of Canada to develop and implement integrated management plans for all of Canada’s coasts, including a national system of marine protected areas, with DFO as the lead federal agency facilitating the process. PNCIMA is identified in Canada’s Oceans Action Plan as a priority area to do integrated management planning.

How will the PNCIMA process be funded?

The funding for PNCIMA will come from a variety of sources, and everyone involved needs to work collaboratively to develop an efficient and effective process. Once this process is developed we will be in a better position to identify funding needs and capacity. Based on this assessment, we will then be in a better position to evaluate the resourcing question.

Why has it taken so long to get this process off the ground?

PNCIMA is complex, with many and often competing economic, environmental, social and cultural interests. Governance arrangements involving First Nations, federal and provincial governments were less defined than in other areas in Canada and needed to be articulated. For the past 10 years, BC has also been involved in land-use planning and capacity for marine planning was limited.

Under the DFO-First Nations Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on PNCIMA Governance, the PNCIMA Secretariat and Steering Committee are comprised of federal government and First Nation representatives. Why aren’t stakeholders included in these governance structures?

There are a number of governance structures in place for integrated oceans management. The MOU on PNCIMA Collaborative Oceans Governance is a mechanism for bringing the federal government and First Nations together to support the development of this integrated plan. A similar MOU was signed between Canada and BC in 2004, the MOU Respecting the Implementation of Canada’s Oceans Strategy on the Pacific Coast of Canada, to guide federal/provincial relations. Stakeholder engagement is an important part of the process, and stakeholders will be linked to the PNCIMA governance structure through the stakeholder engagement strategy that is currently being developed. The stakeholder engagement strategy will be shared with stakeholders and it will not be finalized before their feedback is considered.

How will other First Nations that are not part of Coastal First Nations or the North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society be involved in PNCIMA?

The MOU on PNCIMA Collaborative Oceans Governance calls for the creation of mechanisms to allow for other First Nations to be involved in the PNCIMA planning process. Discussions have already been initiated with a number of First Nations communities on how this might be achieved.

What is the role of the Province of British Columbia in PNCIMA?

In 2004, Canada and BC signed an MOU Respecting the Implementation of Canada’s Ocean Strategy on the Pacific Coast of Canada to guide federal/provincial relations on Oceans in BC. BC has been supportive of the PNCIMA planning process and is an observer under the PNCIMA MOU. The Province will:

• make all necessary provincial resource information and data freely available to the planning teams through GEO BC;
• provide any required clarifications of provincial policy for the management of provincial resources; and
• share other marine planning experience as necessary.

The MOU on PNCIMA Collaborative Oceans Governance is open to change over time to reflect new information and changing circumstances such as a “tripartite” governance arrangement that includes the Province.

What is the role of local and regional governments in the PNCIMA process?

The role of local and regional governments in the process has yet to be defined but their engagement in the development of the PNCIMA plan is critical. Local and regional governments play a key regulatory role and are a valuable source of knowledge and expertise related to the values and resources of the region. We are developing a stakeholder and community engagement strategy that will be shared with regional governments so that their views about their involvement are incorporated.

With all of the work that has already been done with First Nations around PNCIMA governance structures, has the entire process structure already been decided on?

No. Although the governance structures for the process with respect to the relationship between the Federal Government, Coastal First Nations-Turning Point Initiative and the North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society have been agreed to in the Collaborative Governance MOU, additional mechanisms for stakeholder engagement have not been decided on. This was intentional as the PNCIMA Secretariat did not want to pre-define the stakeholder engagement process; the Secretariat wants to be sure to get stakeholder feedback and input into the design of the engagement strategy.

What was the purpose of the Forum?

The PNCIMA Forum was the first step in the collaborative development of an integrated management plan for the PNCIMA region and was designed to encourage dialogue on:

• identifying issues and challenges facing PNCIMA;
• establishing mechanisms for stakeholder engagement; and
• developing the vision and anticipated results of an integrated management plan.

Why did the Forum take place in Vancouver rather than in the PNCIMA region?

Richmond is a central transportation hub and is the location most easily accessed by the greatest number of participants. Future forums will be held in alternate locations within PNCIMA.

What are the next steps coming out of the PNCIMA Forum?

The ideas and recommendations expressed at the Forum will be used to;

• advance the stakeholder engagement strategy and consultations;
• develop and finalize a PNCIMA process Terms of Reference based on the governance structure, stakeholder engagement strategy, and input received in the PNCIMA Preparatory Meetings and at the Forum; and
• start the MTWG.

The Secretariat will continue to take a community based approach to the PNCIMA Initiative and furthering the information and knowledge base by producing the Social, Economic and Cultural Overview and Assessment, sharing the PNCIMA Discussion Paper, developing a draft vision for PNCIMA and generating information items from the Forum.

When will the stakeholder engagement strategy for PNCIMA be shared?

The first draft of the stakeholder engagement strategy will be shared with stakeholders by Fall 2009.

What are the anticipated timelines for the PNCIMA process?

The speed at which the process is developed is dependent on the parties involved. Based on other similar planning processes, the PNCIMA plan is expected to be developed in three to five years. In the short term, all Forum notes and reports will be released by Spring 2009, a draft stakeholder engagement strategy will be shared by Fall 2009, and community meetings will take place in Fall 2009. The next Forum will likely take place in the Fall of 2010.

How will the PNCIMA plan be implemented?

Implementation of the completed PNCIMA plan will occur through the collective effort of everyone involved with the plan. The plan will identify different mechanisms for implementation, including responsible authorities and timelines. Under the Oceans Act, implementation of those aspects of integrated management plans that require a regulatory approach are effected by the responsible Federal Department or Agency. Equally as important to the regulatory mechanisms available as tools for implementation is the role of First Nations, provincial and regional and municipal governments, along with stakeholders and other interested parties. Coordination and collaboration is the key to successful implementation.