Are you concerned about the health of your local shoreline, and wondering what your government(s) can do to help? Curious about the complex web of laws, policies and regulations governing the BC coast and ocean? Interested in learning how different authorities and jurisdictions can work together?
Originally published in 2020, our Guide to Marine Conservation Law in BC is a comprehensive resource that covers the wide array of legal tools available to Indigenous, federal, provincial and local governments to protect the coast and ocean in BC.
This meticulous work catalogues not only the laws and designations that governments in Canada can draw on – marine protected areas, Indigenous protected and conserved areas, land-use measures, and zoning bylaws – but also the international treaties and designations that shape marine conservation and support collaboration. The authors analyze the scope and applicability of each legal tool, rating its strengths and weaknesses, and assess factors such as ease of implementation and adaptive management capabilities. In-depth case studies illustrate how these instruments have been used in practice.
Although the compound impacts of climate change, overfishing, and pollution seem overwhelming, Protecting the Coast and Ocean convincingly demonstrates that Indigenous, federal, provincial, and local governments have the legal tools to protect coastal and marine ecosystems, reverse species extinction, and plan for a resilient ocean.
The hardcover edition of Protecting the Coast and Ocean can be purchased here.
The publication is also available as an open-access PDF – download it here.
This Guide was developed with the generous support of the Sitka Foundation and the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation.
View a recording from our webinar on Coastal & Ocean Protection Law in BC here.
Do you want to speak with our marine lawyers to learn more about how coastal and ocean laws apply to the places and species you care about? Click here to find out how we can assist you.