Take action: Support real protection for the Scott Islands!

Photo: Scott Islands - Sabine Jessen

The rich ocean waters surrounding the Scott Islands off the coast of British Columbia represent a portion of the 10% of our oceans that we aim to protect. CPAWS is calling on the government to protect diverse networks of marine areas by 2020. The Scott Islands are a vital ocean environment where millions of rare seabirds breed and nest every year, relying on bountiful seafood and nutrient upwelling to feed their chicks.

CPAWS is concerned that the federal government’s plans for this proposed National Wildlife Area are not enough. Currently, the government is failing to limit industrial activities such as commercial fishing or shipping. Furthermore, the proposed boundaries exclude a significant portion of the coast used by sea birds for foraging. Without changes to the government’s plans, the Scott Islands could become a “National Wildlife Area” in name only, with no real protection for the wildlife that rely on it for survival.

You can help!

Please take a moment now to write a brief letter
to federal politicians to share your views on this matter.

Here are some points you may wish to include in your letter:

• The current proposed boundary for the Scott Islands National Wildlife Area is too small, excluding a significant portion of waters that millions of seabirds rely on for foraging.
  
• This means potential catastrophe for the millions of seabirds returning to this area every year to breed and nest. These seabirds are dependent on the rich food sources and nutrient upwelling for foraging to feed their chicks.
  
• The boundaries and rules for the Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area should respect the recommended standards for marine protected areas by world experts. That includes at a minimum, no-take zones for commercial and recreational fishing, and shipping lanes to confine traffic to limited areas.
  

Your letter will be sent to:

Environment Minister Peter Kent

Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield

MP for Scott Islands, John Duncan

Read our letter to Minister Kent

Read more about the Scott Islands