In addition to the information below, learn more from Things to know about MaPP, a detailed question and answer document developed for the planning phase.

Q: What is the Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast and how does it relate to marine planning?

A: MaPP is a joint initiative between the Province of British Columbia and several coastal First Nations with territories along B.C.’s North Pacific Coast. The Province and First Nations worked together to develop localized coastal and marine plans for Haida Gwaii, North Coast, Central Coast and North Vancouver Island and a regional action framework.

The Province and First Nations have been conducting resource planning for the land in this area for many years, and extending the collaborative relationship to marine and coastal areas will improve consistency in the approach to resource management for the entire region.

Q: How was MaPP funded?

A: During the planning phase MaPP used a public-private funding model. The partners had a specific MOU and amendment in place that segregated the responsibilities, criteria and decision-making authorities of the parties and Tides Canada Initiatives Society, which administered the funds. The MOU is supplemented by specific implementation agreements on sub-regional marine plan implementation between the Province of B.C. and the appropriate First Nation partners in each sub-region. These agreements will also contain implementation provisions for actions in the Regional Action Framework. Funding for the first five years of implementation is through in-kind contributions from B.C. and First Nation governments and contributions from private funders.

Q: How do MaPP and PNCIMA interact?

A: The Province of British Columbia participated in the federally led Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) process. The PNCIMA initiative produced strategic marine planning goals, objectives and risk assessments at a regional large ocean management area scale.

B.C. and First Nations jointly led the MaPP process, which generated more operational and localized advice for marine uses. MaPP is focused on the nearshore and foreshore areas of the four sub-regions and produced spatial (or site specific) guidance for a variety of activities.

The two marine planning processes are complementary, but deal with different issues at different scales.

Q: How did the parties ensure stakeholders could participate in the MaPP process?

A: Stakeholder and community engagement was central to MaPP. Sub-regional and regional level advisory committees informed the planning process and provided input to draft plan products. Refer to the Planning Phase Archive for more information.

Recognizing the vested interest of stakeholders and other levels of government in the successful implementation of sub-regional marine plans and the Regional Action Framework, their continued engagement on implementation activities is important. This can include a continued role for advisory committees, although in some sub-regions the committees may be integrated into existing or new structures addressing MPAs and other marine planning initiatives. Engagement may also come in the form of project-by-project advice

Q: What is the Province’s jurisdiction in the marine environment?

A: The Province of British Columbia has legislated jurisdiction over many activities that occur in contact with the seafloor in the inland waters (e.g. straits, channels and fjords) and between the ‘jaws of the land’ on the outer coastlines (e.g. estuaries and bays).

The marine plans provide direction on areas under provincial jurisdiction, which include:

  • Coastal and marine tenures for specific activities (ports, docks, clean energy and underwater cables)
  • Provincial seafood development programs (seafood marketing, processing and distribution)
  • Marine conservation
  • Community, social and economic programs related to marine and ocean interests
  • Marine spill preparedness and response programs (oil spills or other debris discharge such as landslides, sedimentation, etc.).