Marine Economy

Overview

A healthy marine economy would balance traditional and emerging sectors, guided by a clear vision of the future. The Haida Gwaii Marine Plan focuses on five activities in Haida Gwaii that have potential for future growth:

• Marine tourism, positioning Haida Gwaii as a premier tourism destination;
• Shellfish aquaculture, marketing sustainable aquaculture products;
• Community-based fisheries economy, based on sustainable wild fisheries;
• Marine research and monitoring, particularly to support the conservation of marine ecosystems and EBM approaches to management; and
• Marine-based renewable energy, such as new wind or tidal energy projects.

Marine Tourism

The natural beauty of Haida Gwaii, its remoteness and the sense of wilderness, and the appeal of Haida culture continue to attract visitors from Canada and abroad. The designation of Gwaii Haanas has brought global attention to the archipelago.

Haida Gwaii has excellent potential as a destination for adventure, ecotourism, and cultural tourism but lacks much of the basic infrastructure for development. Ferry and air transportation to the islands is expensive, takes time, and can be irregular during the winter months. Accommodation options are also limited and there are very few organized activities for visitors.

Section 7.1 of the Haida Gwaii Marine Plan provides additional information about Haida Gwaii marine tourism and outlines objectives and strategies to support the growth of this marine industry.

Want to learn more? Watch this film on Haida Gwaii Marine Tourism produced by the CHN Marine Planning Program.

Shellfish Aquaculture

The harvesting of shellfish for food and cultural purposes is a long standing Haida practice, but the modern shellfish culture industry is in a fledgling stage on Haida Gwaii. Shellfish production, however, could expand in the near future if proposed projects become operational.

Section 7.2 of the Haida Gwaii Marine Plan provides additional information about shellfish aquaculture and outlines objectives and strategies to support the growth of this industry.

Short term implementation priorities include the development of an ecological and socio-cultural shellfish carrying capacity study for key areas in Haida Gwaii and the development of a strategy to address the colonization and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Community-based Fisheries Economy

Commercial fisheries are an important part of the marine economy of Haida Gwaii: they contribute an average annual landed value of more than $80 million to the provincial economy. Historically, commercial fisheries were integral to the Haida Gwaii economy but, over the decades, local participation has declined and the size of the resident commercial fleet on the islands is currently very small. In addition, very few of the fish caught in Haida Gwaii waters are delivered to local seafood processing plants. Increasing the local economic benefits from marine resources is key to developing sustainable island communities. Mechanisms for this may include building participation in specific commercial fisheries, using local processing capacity, and strengthening distribution channels.