https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-first-nation-blue-park-designation/
"A marine protected area managed by Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation has been designated
a ‘blue park’ — an internationally recognized example of excellence in marine
protection. And it is the first Indigenous-led blue park in the world.
The 33.5-square-kilometre Gitdisdzu Lugyeks Marine Protected Area on the
central coast of British Columbia encompasses Kitasu Bay, an area rich with
herring, shorebirds, whales, sea lions and juvenile fish. The nation
unilaterally declared a protected area in 2022, and began pursuing
qualifications for blue park status shortly after.
The Marine Conservation Institute announced the Blue Park Award on April 17 in
Athens, Greece. The institute launched the blue parks initiative in 2016, and
it aims to support the United Nations target to protect 30 per cent of the
world’s oceans by 2030.
A panel of scientists considers the productivity and importance of a proposed
park’s location, as well as the rules and management enforced at the park,
before selecting it to exemplify effective marine conservation. Gitdisdzu
Lugyeks is the first blue park to be designated in Canada.
The nation established the protected area under its own jurisdiction, after
finding the wheels of the provincial and federal governments were moving too
slowly. The nation urgently wanted to protect the rich and diverse area of
Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay) which falls within the Great Bear Rainforest. It
sought out blue park status as recognition its stewardship is effective, in the
face of federal government reluctance to officially acknowledge the protected
area and wariness from some neighbours about limited access to natural
resources.
On Monday, Kitasoo Xai’Xais staff announced the blue park designation at
Kitasoo Community School. For Santana Edgar, community marine use co-ordinator
for the nation, it was her first time seeing and holding the physical award.
She said the students showed immense pride at the international recognition of
their park, which was declared not even two years ago.
“My son was the first to jump out of his seat,” Edgar told The Narwhal.
“I’m not really a public speaker, but it was something I was excited about, so
it was easy for me to get up and explain to them —
this is for you,” she
said.
“All of this work that we’re doing, it’s not just for us. We are protecting
what we have for you.”"
Via
Reasons to be Cheerful:
<
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-reading-free-money-cleaner-lagoons/>
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
