Out of sight, the ocean is unraveling, its decline driven by human exploitation and harmful fishing practices. Across the globe, including in British Columbia, overharvesting, destructive methods, and poor fisheries management are pushing once-productive waters toward collapse. The ocean is vital to global food and nutrition security, but its ability to provide is under growing threat. If current trends continue, declining fish stocks will jeopardize not only marine biodiversity but also our health, livelihoods, and food security.
Among the most destructive forces accelerating this decline are industrial trawlers and bottom draggers. These vessels, operating under the banner of economic efficiency, scrape massive nets across the seafloor, flattening vital habitats, and leaving behind underwater wastelands. What they don’t target, they kill anyway.
While industrial trawlers claim they only impact 5% of our coast, the reality is far more devastating. Over the last 13 years, just nine industrial trawlers have collectively ravaged an area larger than Ireland, a staggering 89,700 square kilometers, dragging both the seafloor and midwater of our most ecologically sensitive offshore habitats. Analyses of the cumulative effects of trawling suggest that a single tow can cause an average 55% reduction in abundance of animals in the trawled area.
Between 2013-2023, over 77,400 metric tonnes of marine life, spanning hundreds of species, were caught and discarded overboard. This is equivalent to the weight of approximately 422 Boeing 747 Jumbo Jets of unwanted marine life unnecessarily pulled out of the ocean . The indiscriminate nature of trawling does not account for the conservation status of species caught and killed as bycatch. Threatened species like the Chinook salmon, coho salmon, sockeye salmon, eulachon, sunflower sea star, grey whale and humpback whale all appeared in bycatch records in B.C. within the last decade.
The trawl fishery in B.C. remains consolidated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals or corporations (including foreign owners) and the economic prospects of fishers have gotten worse. Fishers in B.C. have seen an average 29 per cent decrease in their incomes between 2000 and 2015. Currently, the price of many fishing licences are so high that independent fishers are largely excluded from owning their own licence and quotas. Instead, they are forced to rent it from absentee owners who make more money off of renting their quota than fishing themselves.
There’s a principle called Occam’s Razor: the simplest solution is often the best one. Marine Protected Areas are that solution. They rebuild fish stocks, create jobs, and safeguard critical habitats essential for long-term coastal recovery. Backed by decades of research, MPAs consistently deliver benefits that far outweigh their costs.
Our ocean doesn't need more extraction. It needs space to heal and regenerate, ultimately, to give back more than ever before.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are legally designated ocean zones created to conserve biodiversity and support the long-term sustainability of marine resources. Among the tools available to safeguard ocean health, MPAs are among the most proven and effective.
Much like national parks on land, MPAs vary widely in size, permitted activities, and management strategies.
When it comes to delivering the most significant benefits, strict “no-take ” MPAs, areas where all commercial fishing is prohibited, consistently outperform other forms of protection.
Scientific reviews spanning hundreds of reserves show that no-take zones dramatically increase fish biomass, restore ecosystem structure, and boost species richness at a far greater rate than partially protected areas. In fact, a global analysis found that fish biomass in no-take MPAs increased by over 58 percent, compared to just 12 percent in multi-use zones, with 97 percent of studied reserves showing measurable population gains.
A global analysis found that fishing areas near highly to fully protected MPAs experienced a fourfold increase in Catch Per Unit Effort .
MPAs offer safe havens, allowing fish to grow larger and produce more offspring.
Increased fish populations within MPAs naturally move into surrounding waters.
Fisheries gain from increased yields and revenues.
A synthesis study of 124 fully-protected MPAs found that…
Fish, invertebrates, and seaweed have, on average, 4.5 times more biomass inside protected areas than in unprotected waters.
Marine species grow 28% larger within MPAs, leading to significantly higher reproductive output and healthier populations.
Protected areas foster 21% higher species diversity, creating more resilient ecosystems that can withstand environmental changes.
When well-managed, MPAs can quadruple fish populations in just a decade, providing a sustainable solution to depleted fish stocks while supporting local economies.
MPAs are not just environmental safeguards; they are powerful economic catalysts. A study analyzing the comprehensive economic benefits of MPAs revealed that both tourism and the profitability of neighbouring fisheries saw increases in as little as five years post-establishment. Further research highlights a broad spectrum of valuable returns generated by protecting these critical marine zones. These include, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, vital storm protection buffers, the creation of new MPA management jobs, and advancements driven by new scientific discoveries.
Independent research strongly supports the financial wisdom of this approach, indicating that expanding and effectively managing MPAs can yield benefits worth up to 20 times their implementation cost. This means that for every $1 invested in MPAs, approximately $20 in benefits are returned, making them an exceptionally sound investment for long-term prosperity.
Bridging the Short-Term to Lasting Benefits
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a powerful tool for restoring ocean health and strengthening coastal economies. But their success depends on thoughtful implementation. While MPAs deliver long-term benefits like stronger fisheries and economic resilience, local fishers may face short-term income loss or reduced access to fishing grounds. Without careful planning, these impacts can affect livelihoods and community stability. A Just Transition for Fishers To earn lasting support for MPAs, it’s essential to acknowledge and actively mitigate these short-term costs. Evidence from around the world shows that with the right support, fishers can recover and even exceed their pre-MPA income levels within as little as five years. Some proven approaches include: Benefit-sharing mechanisms, such as redirecting user fees from tourism (e.g., divers, whale watchers) to support local fishers during the early stages of MPA implementation.Example: In the Philippines’ Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, user fees were used to compensate fishers for lost access, while granting them exclusive rights to fish outside the MPA. Exclusive access zones, where local fishers are given priority rights in surrounding waters to benefit from the MPA’s seeding effect while maintaining livelihoods. Targeted financial support, including short-term government subsidies, low-interest loans, and voluntary license buyout programs to help fishers transition with dignity and stability.
The Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) network is a Canadian success story that balances strong conservation with real economic benefits for coastal fishing communities. Covering about 30% of the Great Bear Sea, it restricts only around 8% of commercial fishing effort, equivalent to roughly $9 million in annual profits, allowing most fishing to continue sustainably while fish stocks recover.
Backed by a $335 million Project Finance for Permanence investment, the initiative aims to create over 3,000 new jobs and 200 new businesses in fishing, eco-tourism, and stewardship over 20 years, supporting food security and economic stability for thousands of coastal residents. This approach ensures fishers can keep working, catch more fish over time thanks to healthier habitats, and maintain their livelihoods.
In short, the Great Bear Sea MPA network protects biodiversity while keeping food on the table and boats on the water.
Down one path lies continued exploitation, short-term profits for a few, and long-term loss for everyone else. Down the other, a bold vision: a connected network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that restores ocean abundance, strengthens coastal communities, and secures food and livelihoods for generations to come.
Canada has committed to protecting 30% of our ocean by 2030, and we’re nearly halfway there. Now, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead by example. The MPA Network in the Great Bear Sea isn’t just a milestone for British Columbia, it’s a model for the country, and the world.
We must ensure this network is ambitious and fully supported by our government. Let’s choose the path of abundance, equity, and lasting protection, for our communities, our economy, and our ocean.
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No Take, All Gain: How Marine Protected Areas Keep Our Coast Fed And Afloat.