Summarizing our Progress on Ocean Health

Humpback whales, Orcas, sea lions, and seals have delighted us with unprecedented numbers in the last year. Combined with a 5+ km long herring spawn, anchovy schools and healthy returns of Chinook salmon to the Squamish River, these unofficial indicators make us feel we are doing something right in Howe Sound.

This report summarizes the actions captured from quarterly Ocean Watch Action Committee meetings. The actions align with the 2020 Ocean Watch Report’s seven recommended actions and UN Sustainable Development Goal 14. This is a high-level summary of actions taken, gaps, and emerging opportunities. The list is not exhaustive, and we welcome more input.

Since 2020, we have seen a dramatic shift in the resources applied to Howe Sound. Most importantly, Ocean Wise, who conducted Howe Sound research for over forty years, moved on to more global issues. Through COVID, our network continued online meetings and worked as best as possible. Though a large personnel turnover occurred, Howe Sound continues to attract passionate people interested in marine sciences and a loyal, dedicated group of elected officials, staff and NGOs and volunteers committed to improving ocean health.

Our key needs are reliable funding to support the work, support reporting on key indicators and increased guardianship across Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound to safeguard the investments in ocean health protections.

Here is a link to those seven actions and the Action Tracker.

Ruth Simons, Executive Director of the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society.

Actions Taken from 2020 to 2024

Educate and Engage

The Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Reference Guide (MRG) online map, launched in 2021, was the first dedicated resource of Howe Sound specific marine data. The Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI) and Make Way Foundation curate this map with over 700 data layers. MSI signed agreements with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw; it is a resource for their X̱ay̓ Shḵw'en̓ Marine Use Plan. The MRG spatial and non-spatial data layers describe Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound’s aquatic ecology, biophysical environment, administrative boundaries, and human uses. Training and workshops for local government planning staff and regional planners are ongoing.

The Ocean Watch Action Committee continues to meet quarterly online since start up in 2017. The ninety-minute meetings are well attended and provide knowledge sharing, networking, and consensus building among communities and NGOs.
OceanWise created the Oceanwatch Átl’ḵa7tsem—Txwnéwu7ts Howe Sound Education Kit, used in Howe Sound schools and highlighted at World Oceans Day events.
Beach interpretation programs from the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society provide youth hands-on connection with the marine environment. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Cultural Journeys youth program and Capilano University have accessed this resource, along with the many youth who engage in programming at the Tidepools Aquarium in Gibsons.
Students at Aya7ayulh Chet (Cultural Journeys program) have re-engaged with cultural traditions and stories through the MSI’s Searching for Slahawt’ herring project.

Research, Monitoring, Stewardship and Restoration

Since 2020, monitoring and annual surveying of herring, plankton, megalopae crab, rockfish, European Green Crab (invasive), fish in streams, and threatened Purple Martin birds have been conducted.
Major works have removed barriers to fish entering and returning from the Squamish River, and ongoing restoration is taking place in the estuary; most impactfully, the removal of the “Spit” has been completed, see “Restore the Shore”.
OceanWise has ongoing research on glass sponge die-off and recovery due to ocean temperatures and climate change.
Stewardship activities are ongoing, such as the Healthy Harbour project in Gibsons and eelgrass planting/monitoring around Howe Sound. Experimentation is occurring with mooring buoys (with floating chains) and harbour management to reduce impacts on eelgrass.
Howe Sound is regularly cleaned of garbage and debris, with increased resources from Ocean Legacy and many community shoreline clean-up activities.
Restoration along Horseshoe Bay, Squamish Oceanfront, Snug Cove and Mannion Bay shorelines has occurred, along with creosote piling removal at Woodfibre and at the Squamish Harbour.

Climate Action and Resilience

Squamish Estuary - Squamish River Watershed Society

Regional Communities have implemented climate action and coastal resilience actions. The District of West Vancouver implemented Development Permit Applications for waterfront properties to address the anticipated impacts of sea level rise that is predicted to affect over 400 properties. The community is also undergoing mitigation of flooding in public spaces already impacted by the rise in sea level during storm surges and king tides.
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s Climate Action Legacy Strategy & Framework will act as a guide for the Nation over the next 30 years.
Community climate action strategies following the declaration of Climate Emergency are underway in municipalities: Bowen Island, District of Squamish, District of West Vancouver, Town of Gibsons.
The Town of Gibsons was recognized by the UN-Habitat for its Natural Assets Management programs. These include addressing climate change and resilience through projects such as Source to Sea and Coastal Resiliency.

Funding

European Green Crab Monitoring - West Howe Sound

Local governments committed to a five-year financial contribution toward the maintenance of the Marine Reference Guide, with matched funding from private foundations.
Provincial funding was made available from the BC Coastal Resilience Fund and the Clean Coast Fund.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have funded salmon habitat restoration, and monitoring of streams, Rockfish and Lingcod and the invasive European Green Crab. Environment and Climate Change Canada funding has supported collaboration between organizations in support of these projects.
Donations and/or in-kind contributions from NGOs, private donors and corporate sponsors continue to be funding sources.

Planning and Legislation Advancements

Locally, Development Permit Applications were implemented for waterfront development to address sea level rise impacts and reduce shoreline erosion. Certain local governments have implemented special and updated zoning in the marine areas.
Provincially, the BC Coastal Marine Strategy was developed and launched, establishing the province's first shared vision for the BC coast and aligns well with our Howe Sound Ocean Watch Action plans.
Federal updates to the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act legislation came into force, increasing owner accountability and enables the Government of Canada to take proactive actions in cases where a dilapidated vessel is identified.
Federally, five additional Glass Sponge Reefs (GSR) in Howe Sound were closed to all commercial and recreational bottom-contact fishing in 2022. These are planned to become Marine Refuges.
Federally, work began on the realignment of Rockfish Conservation Areas and Glass Sponge Reef closure areas.
Progress occurs toward shoreline protection bylaws and better dock management practices, but we have also seen increased resistance to these changes.

What are the Continued or Emerging Threats and What is Missing?

Cumulative impacts in Howe Sound are still neither measured nor understood. Multiple applications for effluent discharge permits were made, adding to already unknown impacts from increased road traffic and tourism and recreational boating, which affect our ocean water quality.
Temperature monitoring and the effects of events such as the 2021 heat dome, which caused mass die-offs, have yet to be researched.
Post-COVID disruptions within organizations have reduced previous science resources.
Leadership by elected officials is needed to move legislation forward on protections needed from climate impacts and the increasing need to address reconciliation with First Nations on harms to their food sources.
There is continued poaching and illegal fishing; more resources are needed to respond to complaints and enforce regulations.
Many opportunities exist for research on GSR and forage fish, on the management of mooring buoys, docks and sewage, which continue to harm the environment, as well as research on prevention of impacts.
We need the Province's commitment to advance changes to uphold the GSR protection and DFO enforcement against those who continue to harm.
We need more preventative measures for those who abuse the environment with wrecked boats and more action and leadership on climate change, both in terms of prevention and resilience.
The Liquified Natural Gas facility continues to progress in the Howe Sound area, which will increase methane emissions and disrupt marine life from underwater noise and other environmental threats.

Emerging Opportunities

We can continue to expand our network and collaborations by inviting programs such as the Ocean Ambassadors program, conducting Bioblitzes (educational program), and expanding education through all schools and tourism.
Members of the public and the network can advocate for more resources, partnerships with educational institutions and knowledge sharing.
More funding can bring increased resources for marine research, stewardship, management and reporting.
We can strengthen our network connections with local and international universities and demonstrate Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound as a living laboratory and model region.

Participants in the Howe Sound Ocean Watch Action Action Committee

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw
Local governments of West Vancouver, Bowen Island, Area A Metro Vancouver, Lions Bay, Squamish, Gibsons, Islands Trust, Area F SCRD

View the Community Map to learn about the many organizations at work near the marine environment.

Learn more

Ruth SimonsSeptember 26, 2024