Our Great Bear Sea: Protecting the Wild Heart of the Pacific
The Great Bear Sea is not just a geographical location but a living system connected to the land, the people, and the complex web of life that has thrived here for millennia. It represents one of the few remaining relatively undisturbed marine ecosystems in the world.
Explore the Sea
What is the Great Bear Sea?
The Great Bear Sea encompasses approximately 100,000 square kilometers of marine ecosystems along British Columbia's North Coast.
This extraordinary marine region is the oceanic counterpart to the internationally recognized Great Bear Rainforest, forming one of the most ecologically intact temperate coastal systems on Earth.
Its waters feature a complex network of fjords, islands, and channels that create numerous specialized habitats including kelp forests, eelgrass meadows, and rare glass sponge reefs.
These diverse environments support an incredible wealth of marine life, from microscopic plankton to massive whales.
Biodiversity Treasure Chest
Marine Mammals
Home to 20+ species of marine mammals including orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sea otters. The region contains critical feeding grounds for recovering whale populations.
Fish Species
Supports all five species of Pacific salmon, herring, eulachon, and numerous groundfish. These fish are keystone species that transport nutrients between marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Seabirds
Critical habitat for millions of seabirds including puffins, albatrosses, and marbled murrelets. Many migrate thousands of miles to feed in these productive waters.
Unique Habitats
Contains rare glass sponge reefs dating back 9,000 years, extensive kelp forests, and deep-sea coral gardens that serve as nurseries and shelter for countless marine species.
Indigenous Heritage and Stewardship
"Our people have been the guardians of these waters since time immemorial. The Great Bear Sea is not just a resource - it is our culture, our history, and our future."
— K̓áwáziɫ (Marilyn Slett), President of Coastal First Nations - Great Bear Initiative
For thousands of years, the Indigenous Nations of the North Pacific Coast - including the Haida, Heiltsuk, Gitga'at, Nuxalk, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Wuikinuxv, and Tsimshian peoples - have maintained deep connections to these waters.
Today, these First Nations are leading innovative marine planning initiatives that blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation science. Their governance systems are increasingly recognized as essential to successful, long-term protection of the Great Bear Sea.
Ecological and Economic Significance
Climate Resilience
The Great Bear Sea plays a crucial role in climate regulation, sequestering carbon in kelp forests, eelgrass meadows, and ocean sediments. These blue carbon ecosystems help mitigate climate change while providing buffers against its impacts.
Food Security
The region's productivity supports sustainable fisheries that have been the backbone of coastal communities for generations. Properly managed, these marine resources ensure food security for local communities and beyond.
Sustainable Economy
The Great Bear Sea supports diverse economic activities including sustainable fisheries, ecotourism, and research. When properly managed, these industries create jobs while preserving the ecosystem that makes them possible.
The Great Bear Sea Map
Protected Areas
The map highlights existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), showcasing the collaborative approach to conservation in the region.
Ecological Features
Key ecological features like whale migration routes, glass sponge reef locations, and critical salmon habitat are identified, illustrating the region's remarkable biodiversity.
Indigenous Territories
The traditional territories of First Nations who have stewarded these waters for millennia are clearly marked, recognizing their central role in conservation.
Canada's Marine Conservation Goals
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2025 Target: 25% Protected
Canada has committed to conserving 25% of its ocean territory by 2025 through a network of Marine Protected Areas and other effective conservation measures. The Great Bear Sea is a key priority in meeting this goal.
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2030 Target: 30% Protected
Building on the 2025 milestone, Canada is working toward protecting 30% of its oceans by 2030, aligning with global conservation targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
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Long-term Vision
Beyond numerical targets, Canada aims to establish a comprehensive national network of marine protected areas that safeguards biodiversity, supports healthy ecosystems, and builds resilience to climate change.
Innovative Conservation Approaches
Project Finance for Permanence
In 2024, Canada announced a groundbreaking Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative for the Great Bear Sea. This innovative funding approach brings together government, philanthropic, and Indigenous partners to secure long-term financial support for conservation management.
The PFP model has been successfully implemented in the adjacent Great Bear Rainforest and represents a new paradigm in sustainable conservation financing. It ensures that protection isn't just designated on paper but is actively managed and monitored over generations.
Collaborative Governance
Joint decision-making processes between First Nations and government agencies ensure that management reflects both Indigenous knowledge and Western science.
Guardian Programs
Indigenous Guardian programs employ local community members to monitor, protect, and manage their traditional territories, combining cultural knowledge with modern conservation techniques.
Stories from the Sea
"When we take visitors out on the water, they're often moved to tears seeing a humpback whale breach or watching a spirit bear fishing for salmon. These moments connect people to something larger than themselves. That's why we fight so hard to protect this place."
— Doug Neasloss, Kitasoo/Xai'xais Guardian Watchmen
Scientists working in the region report extraordinary recoveries of once-depleted species. Humpback whales, nearly extinct from commercial whaling, have returned in numbers not seen in generations.
Researchers have documented the complex social structures of resident orca pods and discovered previously unknown glass sponge reefs that create habitat for countless other species.
Local fishing communities have observed firsthand both the consequences of overfishing and the benefits of sustainable management. Many have become vocal advocates for marine protection, recognizing that their livelihoods depend on healthy, productive ecosystems.
Safeguarding the Great Bear Sea
The Great Bear Sea is more than just a name on a map; it's a living treasure. This is one of the last places on Earth where a temperate marine ecosystem remains whole, teeming with a vibrant diversity of life.
When you support Indigenous-led conservation and sustainable practices, you're not just helping to protect an ocean; you're helping to safeguard a legacy.