Protecting our Coastal Way of Life

Quathiaski Cove shoreline landscape on Quadra Island in BC — Photo: Quathiaski Cove shoreline landscape on Quadra Island, BC — by skyf

Coasts and Ocean

Alex Barron | July 3, 2026

A healthy ocean strengthens coastal communities

Canada’s epic coastline is home to both extraordinary marine life and vibrant communities – from the rugged fjords of Newfoundland and Labrador to the frozen shores of Hudson Bay, and the lush kelp forests of British Columbia.

The livelihoods, cultures, and well-being of many Canadians are deeply tied to the ocean. When the ocean is healthy, coastal communities thrive. When the ocean is under threat, those impacts are felt first and most profoundly by those, like me, who live on the coast.

Decades of increasing industrial pressure and harmful fishing activities like bottom trawling have pushed coastal habitats and the communities that depend on them to their limits. Climate change poses new threats, with marine heat waves and changing ocean conditions causing mass die-offs, as increasing threats of storms and flooding threaten Canadian communities.

Close-up of the hull of a massive ship. — Photo: Markus Thompson

Those of us who live on the coast are seeing these dramatic changes firsthand, in real time.

Common species that used to frequent coastal waters are coming less and less. Where I live in British Columbia, the southern resident killer whales used to be our regular summertime visitors, with most locals knowing them by first name. As their population dwindles, we don’t see them like we used to. Kelp forests that lined the shore marking the best fishing spots are shrinking and disappearing. Once-annual herring spawns that turn early spring coastal waters bright turquoise are becoming unpredictable.

In my area, stronger measures are rolling out to increase marine protection and address the steady decline we’ve seen among marine habitats.

Canada has been overfishing and polluting the ocean for hundreds of years. Coastal community leaders increasingly recognize the value of healthy oceans. They’re calling for more investment in conservation to protect the crucial marine life that supports livelihoods, local economies and well-being.

Coastal Community Leaders are Champions for the Ocean

The ocean’s strongest allies are the coastal community leaders and champions who recognize the interdependency of healthy marine habitats and a flourishing society.

Marine conservation works best when it empowers the people who live on the coast; for generations, their identity and resiliency have been shaped by the waves. Their communities are as diverse as the land and seascapes that support them, but united by a deep connection to the ocean.

That’s why CPAWS is committed to support initiatives led by coastal communities, including:

Burgeo, NL

Over 20 years ago the community leaders of Burgeo, a town on the south coast of Newfoundland, called for a National Marine Conservation Area to protect the local ecosystem and boost local tourism. The town has remained steadfast in their advocacy to protect these waters and is a driving voice behind the initiative.

See how CPAWS-NL is supporting this work.

“Conservation isn’t just an idea—it’s something we live with every day.  It’s tied to whether our communities survive, whether our young people stay, and whether the connection we’ve always had to the ocean is still there for the next generation.”

Barbara Barter – Burgeo, Newfoundland

Great Bear Sea, BC

First Nations and communities across BC’s Great Bear Sea have been working for over a decade to establish a Marine Protected Area Network that would protect some of the most valuable coastal habitats along the BC coast – from ancient glass sponge reefs to seabird colonies and herring spawning grounds.

See how CPAWS-BC is supporting this work.

“As Indigenous people, we have rights of harvest and title in our territories […] with every right, comes a responsibility. We don’t see the lands, waters and ice as resources, we see it as our home.”

Former Chief Danielle Shaw – Wuikinuxv Nation, Pacific Coast

Churchill, MB

The town of Churchill, along the shores of Manitoba’s western Hudson Bay, has called for a feasibility assessment to explore the potential for a National Marine Conservation Area; it would ensure the protection of vital summer feeding grounds for beluga whales and many other species.

See how CPAWS-MB is supporting this work.

“Tourism is key to the economy, and there is also a community that relies on industry here. A balanced approach is critical to succeeding; we must be respectful.”

Mayor Michael Spence – Churchill, Manitoba

Creating Space for Coastal Voices to be Heard on Parliament Hill

Speakers Mayor Spence and former Chief Shaw stand with event attendees, including Minister Julie Dabrusin (Environment, Climate Change and Nature); leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May, MP; host, Patrick Weiler, MP.

In April 2026, CPAWS brought coastal champions from communities across Canada to Ottawa to share their lived experience, knowledge and vision with their Members of Parliament. As Canada looks to the future of ocean protection, coastal champions offer both inspiration and a path forward. By listening to local voices and supporting community leaders, we can help ensure that we leave future generations with healthy coasts and strong communities.

Empowering community leadership is key to protecting marine habitats, livelihoods and generations of diverse coastal cultures. We want healthy fisheries and thriving communities that continue to prosper, for our children and grandchildren to continue the coastal lifestyles that enrich Canada’s culture and economy.