FAQ
West Coast Aquatic – Frequently Asked Question’s
- What is West Coast Aquatic?
West Coast Aquatic is a forum for coastal communities, other people, and organizations affected by aquatic resource management to participate more fully with governments in all aspects of the management of aquatic resources on the west coast of Vancouver Island. With a Board consisting of eight governmental and eight non-governmental representatives, West Coast Aquatic develops and implements plans, projects, and partnerships that advance a long-term vision and objectives.
- Who do the Board members represent?
The Board consists of eight government members: two representatives from each of the federal, provincial, Nuu-chah-nulth, and local governments, and eight non-governmental members, broadly representative of commercial, recreational, and aboriginal harvesting, processing, tourism, environmental, labour, and aquaculture interests.
- What is the vision and objective of West Coast Aquatic?
West Coast Aquatic’s vision is: The aquatic resources of Nuu-chah-nulth Ha-houlthee (a defined area on the west coast of Vancouver Island) are managed by people working together for the benefit of current and future generations of aquatic resources, people, and communities.
West Coast Aquatic’s objective is: To lead and facilitate the development and implementation of a strategy for the integrated management of aquatic ecosystems in the management area, in a manner consistent with statutory authorities, policies, standards, and processes.
- When was West Coast Aquatic founded?
West Coast Aquatic (formally the West Coast Vancouver Island Aquatic Management Board) was formally established in 2001 as a Canadian national pilot program for cooperative aquatic management. Its formation followed years of work by First Nations, local governments, and interest groups for a greater voice in decision-making.
Driven by the need for interim measures to assist in treaty negotiations, declining resources, and increasing conflicts, West Coast Aquatic had its humble beginnings with community members and leaders coming together to discuss their concerns for the resources and the communities that depended upon them. Through increased local support, forums were held at which other community members and groups joined the dialogue.
In 1997, these grassroots efforts were recognized with the release of the federal government’s Oceans Act and the provincial government’s BC Fisheries Strategy, which identified the need for cooperative management approaches with affected aboriginal organizations, coastal communities, and other people and organizations.
This shift in approach was accompanied by numerous calls from the private and public sectors, recommending that the federal and provincial governments engage in co-management arrangements. In 1998, negotiations started with west coast Vancouver Island representatives, and an Agreement in Principal was reached in 2000.
- How does the Board operate?
The West Coast Aquatic Management Board operates by shared decision-making and consensus. The Board convenes and maintains management committees and other forums to address specific tasks concerning the integrated management of aquatic resources. The Executive Director, along with other staff, provides support to the Board in establishing priorities, supporting policy-making, and implementing projects. The Board interacts with numerous external processes and partners.
- How are Board members appointed?
Each of the four governments appoints two representatives in accordance with their internal processes. Non-governmental representatives are jointly appointed to the Board by the governments pursuant to nominations solicited from coastal communities and other people and organizations affected by aquatic resource management. Board members are appointed on the basis of their commitment to the Board’s vision, purpose, principals and objectives, skills, knowledge, and experience relating to aquatic management issues and their base of support.
- What is West Coast Aquatic’s management area and who lives there?
The management area, defined by ecological and cultural characteristics, stretches along approximately 300 kilometers of the west coast of Vancouver Island; from Brooks Peninsula, north of Kyuquot, to Sheringham Point, south of Port Renfrew, and bordered inland by the height of land along watersheds dividing Vancouver Island and to the Canadian territorial offshore limit.
Approximately 35,000 people live in the geographic area, in the communities Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Tofino, Bamfield, Ahousaht, Port Renfrew, Gold River, Zeballos, Tahsis, and other small, relatively isolated communities. Fishing, forestry, mining, tourism, and agriculture form much of the economic base in the region.
- How is West Coast Aquatic funded?
West Coast Aquatic is partially funded each year by the federal, provincial, and local governments. Other funding is secured through fundraising programs, partnerships, and agreements with private and philanthropic organizations committed to the sustainability of the region.
