Pncima Forum - March 26 & 27, 2009

One Positive Step Forward
The first formal PNCIMA Forum was held on March 26-27, 2009 in Richmond, B.C. Three Hundred people – including representatives from all levels of government, First Nations, coastal communities, marine industries and non-governmental organizations – participated in a two-day marine planning conference. This is the biggest event of its kind in Canada focusing on marine use planning and conservation.

For many years the hosts of PncimaMatters along with our ENGO partners have argued that the most effective way to protect and manage PNCIMA is to work with people who live and work in the area. Also that it is essential to base decisions about the future use of the ocean and its resources on credible science.

We see the launch of PNCIMA as a positive step.

However, many participants were concerned that the forum was held in Richmond, meaning that residents of the region had to travel long distances in order to attend. These are legitimate concerns. The PNCIMA Steering Committee, made up of First Nations and Federal government representatives, seemed to hear this concern and indicated they will organize regional meetings.

As well, there are real concerns about funding and capacity to carry out this ambitious project. As such we need to continue to put pressure on the federal government to allocate sufficient funding to protect and plan for healthy oceans.

Take action now by visiting healthyoceans.ca and let the federal government know you care, demanding that the government back up this process with appropriate funding.

Next Steps
The next steps for the Steering Committee will be to develop options from all the input gathered at the forum and circulate the options on the pncima.org website. Feedback will be sought and the input used to develop the process.

The PNCIMA Steering Committee reported at the end of the forum on short and medium term activities. These include:

- Development of a stakeholder engagement strategy
- Publishing Forum notes and discussions on the pncima.org website
- Establishing principals and agreement to move forward with a Marine - Transportation and Working Group and how this working group relates to the larger PNCIMA planning model
- Development of community level meetings for local participation
- Finalization of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area process.

The steering committee reported that PNCIMA needs to be:

- Collaborative
- Inclusive
- Respectful
- Committed
- Planning needs to be ecosystem based.

The next major PNCIMA forum will be in the fall of 2010. Between now and then community level meetings will be organized in order to gather input.

For information on how you can participate and about events that may be hosted in your community, go to the Forum website, or phone the PNCIMA Secretariat, the branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada organizing the Forum, at 604-666-2873 or email info@pncima.org

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