Resources

The MaPP marine planning portal, using the SeaSketch application, is a sophisticated planning tool that allows users to look at many different data layers together to learn more about the MaPP study area. The portal has more than 250 data layers including administrative boundaries, species, habitats and marine uses.
You can use the marine planning portal to:

• view publicly available* spatial data layers – ecological, social, cultural, economic and administrative;
• read descriptions of marine data and follow links to the data sources;
• print high quality maps or save maps as images;
• overlap marine species with uses and activities to explore potential spatial or temporal conflicts; and
• review the MaPP sub-regional spatial marine plans

*Some areas of the marine planning portal include restricted, sensitive or confidential spatial data and therefore are protected.

During development of the Haida Gwaii Marine Plan the Haida Gwaii Technical Team, including technical representatives from CHN and BC, held public meetings in the communities of Sandspit, Old Massett, Skidegate and Port Clements on Haida Gwaii to discuss and hear feedback related to the draft Haida Gwaii Marine Plan. Input included suggestions regarding locally-accessible recreational fishing, marine-based alternative energy options, local infrastructure needs, aquaculture zoning, opportunities for youth, Haida/Haida Gwaii values and monitoring and enforcement. In addition, meetings were held between the Haida Gwaii Technical Team and key stakeholder groups, including commercial and recreation fishing representatives, community leadership, shellfish aquaculture representatives, and conservation groups. All feedback was considered in the final Haida Gwaii Marine Plan.

On July 17–18, 2012, HOTT and MaPP hosted a two-day workshop focused on marine future scenario analysis in Haida Gwaii. The purpose of the workshop was to explore:

• Current and future trends, challenges, and opportunities; and
• Future scenarios including scoping and identification of key drivers, tradeoffs, uncertainties and risks.

The workshop involved sharing knowledge about climate change, island demographics/ economic development, fisheries, recreational fisheries, renewable energy, tourism, and transportation. Four future scenarios were considered and, based on the results of the workshop, a “preferred scenario” was crafted and vetted by Haida and provincial decision makers. This scenario is included in the final Haida Gwaii Marine Plan, and can also be downloaded separately below.

On January 23 and 24, 2009, about 300 people came together to discuss the future of the oceans. The forum was held at the Haida Heritage Centre at Ḵay Llnagaay. The proceedings are the result of two days of dialogue, debate and learning. This publication documents the concerns of islanders and reflects a desire to work together to improve the health of the oceans and communities.

On March 1^st and 2^nd of 2019, 10 years after Gaaysiigang, over 200 local community members, oceans experts, planners and policy advisors gathered at Kay Llnagaay to review the progress made over the past ten years and continue the discussion on how Haida Gwaii can work together to collectively improve the health of the oceans and local communities. Over the two days, participants learned about and discussed international approaches, local concerns, identified challenges and proposed solutions. As a result of these discussions, forum participants developed the Gaaysiigang Sding/Sdang Declaration – the next chapter of Haida Gwaii’s oceans story.

T’alang gud ad hlGang.gulxa gen gina ‘laa sGun Giisda is gang – T’alang gud ahl hlGangulgaang sluu gin k’aldangaasaang

When we work together, amazing things happen

The Marine Economic Development Strategy for Haida Gwaii (June 2013) was prepared by Robinson Consulting and Associates Ltd. with assistance from Lions Gate Consulting Inc. The report was contracted by the CHN Marine Planning Program in 2012 to inform development of the Haida Gwaii Marine Plan.

The report focuses on four marine economic development opportunities: shellfish aquaculture; marine tourism; community fisheries; and, marine research and monitoring. A summary of the current status, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analyses, and a list of draft strategies for consideration are scoped for each identified opportunity. A draft of the report was shared with the Haida Gwaii Marine Advisory Committee  and the Haida Marine Work Group for review and input.

The marine economic development strategies outlined in Section 7 of the Haida Gwaii Marine Plan reflect content in the strategy as well as feedback received during stakeholder and public engagement on the Haida Gwaii Marine Plan.

The Sea Changes – Working together on Haida Gwaii brochure (April 2020) illustrates different marine planning processes on Haida Gwaii.

The CHN and provincial and federal governments are working together to create complementary marine plans for the waters surrounding Haida Gwaii. Seven marine planning processes are currently underway for Haida Gwaii. Although these processes are governed by different legislation and are proceeding on different timelines, the agencies involved are taking a coordinated approach.

Marine invasive species threaten native species and ocean ecosystems of Haida Gwaii. Do your part to protect our oceans and stop the spread. This Identification guide helps you to identify a few marine invasive species of concern. These include Star Tunicate, Sea Vomit, Chain Tunicate and the European green crab.

Marine Invasive Species threaten native native species and oceans ecosystems on Haida Gwaii. Fouling species like tunicates can smother native marine plants and animals while other species like European green crabs can tear up seagrass and compete with young Dungeness crabs.

Learn how about species of concern on Haida Gwaii and best practices to stop these invasive species from hitchhiking to new places on your small vessel, large vessel or marine gear.

The draft Haida Gwaii ʹíináang | iinang Pacific Herring: An Ecosystem Overview and Ecosystem-based Rebuilding Plan has taken your comments into consideration, and is now undergoing further review. 

The draft plan was co-developed by a Technical Working Group (TWG) made up of members from the Council of Haida Nation (CHN), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and Parks Canada Agency (PCA). The draft plan provides an overview of the ʹíináang | iinang Pacific herring ecosystem in Haida Gwaii, incorporating Haida traditional knowledge and implementing an ecosystem-based management approach. It supports objectives and targets laid out in the Gwaii Haanas Gina ʹWaadlux̲an KilG̲uhlG̲a Land-Sea-People Management Plan, and also meets requirements under the new Fish Stocks Provisions in the amended Fisheries Act. 

The draft plan proposes some key changes to the management of herring in Haida Gwaii, including: 

• Managing Haida Gwaii herring at a finer scale  
• Establishing rebuilding targets with ecosystem considerations  
• Prioritizing low-impact commercial fisheries of kʹáaw | kʹaaw spawn-on-kelp while rebuilding  
• Recommending monitoring and research priorities  
• Establishing a foundation for an ecosystem-based management approach.  

Appendices with additional information that support the draft plan can be found here.  

The large format poster includes over 500 Haida names for ocean and freshwater bodies, settlements and supernaturals. The brochure complements the map and is a brief summary of the Haida Marine Traditional Knowledge Study.

The Haida Marine Traditional Knowledge Study researched and documented Haida culture, traditions and knowledge about the ocean. Fifty-six Haida shared their knowledge of food, fishing and gathering areas, seasonal harvest patterns, sites of cultural and historical importance, and observations about species abundance and population trends. More than 4,000 locations and 150 marine species were recorded, with oral accounts and first-hand observations dating back to the 1920s.

This report, prepared by Gardner Pinfold Consulting Economists Ltd, estimates the social and economic value of six marine sectors on Haida Gwaii: commercial fisheries; recreational fisheries; seafood processing; marine tourism; shipping and transportation; and research, monitoring and enforcement.

This strategy was prepared by a group of island residents in 2003 and presents objectives and actions to both protect and support key elements of Haida Gwaii’s unique heritage, including: (1) the relationship between healthy ecosystems and the island way of life; (2) a deep and profound respect for Haida culture; (3) a strong determination to preserve the unique island way of life; (4) an inspired relationship to place; (5) community integrity and the importance of that which is local.

The Haida Gwaii Marine Plan contains a strategy (Sec. 7.1 Strat. 5.1B) for applying the principles and direction of the Heritage Tourism Strategy, and endorses other island-supported tourism guidelines in developing a marine tourism industry on Haida Gwaii.

On May 12-13, 2015, the Haida Nation hosted a workshop at the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate to discuss the Simushir incident and identify “lessons learned.” This workshop brought together experts in marine emergency response, Haida, coastal First Nations representatives, and other Island residents to learn from one another and to address topics such as decision-making protocols during an incident, internal and external communication policies, marine response capacity, and the future development of Geographic Response Plans. Workshop participants made a number of recommendations to improve the current accident prevention and emergency response system in the north coast region, including Haida Gwaii.

On June 17th – 18th, 2014, HOTT and MaPP hosted a two-day workshop focused on Geographic Response Plans for Haida Gwaii. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss: current levels of shipping and vessel traffic and their routes; risks posed by current levels of shipping and vessel traffic; existing response capacities in the event of marine pollution events; and institutional challenges to increasing response capacity through a coast-wide Geographic Response Plan. The workshop included presentations by emergency response specialist Stafford Reid (EnviroEmerg Consulting) and Graham Knox (BC Ministry of Environment).

Following the Simushir near-miss incident in 2014, the CHN has worked with other governments to ensure that a coordinated and effective emergency response system is in place for X̲aayda Gwaay.yaay • X̲aadaa Gwaay Haida Gwaii. The product of this coordinated work between the Council of the Haida Nation and the federal government is the Places of Refuge Contingency Plan for the Pacific Region, with a specific Haida Gwaii Annex that identifies potential Places of Refuge on X̲aayda Gwaay.yaay • X̲aadaa Gwaay. This plan is an additional preventative measure taken to ensure the preservation of our coasts and waters.