Canada's Pacific

WWF's Role
WWF-Canada's vision for the Northeast Pacific ecoregion is an area of inspiring natural beauty and diversity where coastal communities and wildlife can both thrive. Our aim is to strike a balance between conservation and development that will support healthy environments, vibrant cultures and sustainable economies today and for generations to come. Some of our current projects include:

Ecoregion Planning and Ecosystem-Based Management

WWF is advocating an ecoregion approach that requires conservation measures to protect species, habitats and ecosystems, which would be put in place across the region prior to development proceeding. In addition, we advocate that ongoing human activities and their impacts be managed in a more integrated manner that is rooted in ecosystem-based management.

As part of our ecoregion planning, WWF-Canada is working collaboratively with other groups to advance a marine planning process within the ecoregion in an area called the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area. In addition, WWF-Canada has helped create The Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association (PacMARA), an impartial and independent network of researchers seeking to develop and encourage the use of cross-disciplinary marine science in ecosystem-based decision-making. They are working together to share information, develop high-quality analyses, and fill the critical gaps in our knowledge of this complex coastal and marine environment.
/ ©: Loblaw
© Loblaw

Commitment to Sustainable Seafood

Loblaw makes responsible, sustainable sourcing of seafood top priority. Learn more

B.C.'s Northern Coast

A priceless biological treasure. Globally, this region is precious because of its staggering natural diversity, filled with species and spaces found nowhere else on Earth. Learn more
/ ©: Alan Burger / WWF-Canada
Two orca whales in the Pacific Ocean
© Alan Burger / WWF-Canada

Community Engagement

Our North Coast office is working to promote dialogue and active participation in the many issues affecting the marine environment. Through workshops, hands-on stewardship, conferences, and other community engagement activities, we are supporting youth, industry, and communities to take ownership of these issues, identifying problems and working towards solutions. Check out our regional webpage to learn more.

Improving Environmental Performance

In B.C., we are helping companies to manage resources better, reduce pollution and energy use, and create sustainable employment. We are working with industry – including fisheries, forestry, shipping, mining, construction, and oil and gas – to spearhead more sustainable practices that can inspire companies around the world.

We recently created a new partnership with Washington Marine Group to make this marine building and shipping company an industry leader in environmental standards and best practices. This partnership will help protect B.C.’s coast by cutting emissions, reducing energy use, and minimizing pollution and spills.

Habitat Protection

Among our top conservation priorities is to ensure the protection of a network of ecosystems (both marine and terrestrial) that represents the full range of habitats and species that make this region unique – a network that is grounded in sound science and developed in collaboration with local communities, government and industry. Currently, less then 0.5% of B.C. marine waters are considered protected compared to over 12% of the area on land.

We are working hard to increase the level of protection in the oceans. Recently an agreement between Fisheries & Oceans Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation cleared the way for Bowie Seamount, a unique area of underwater mountains created by volcanic activity, to be officially designated as a marine protected area (MPA). WWF-Canada played a key role in the decision by successfully negotiating a set of management options for the area with the Canadian Sablefish Association – the main commercial fishery on the seamount.

Building a future in which people and nature thrive.

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