In 2019, the Province of British Columbia (BC) completed a Preliminary Strategic Climate Risk Assessment as part of BC’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy (CPAS) to better understand climate-related risks. The risk assessment identified ocean acidification as a significant climate risk for BC. However, due to a lack of information the assessment gave a lower consequence rating due to a lack of regionally relevant information.
Notwithstanding the ecological and cultural value of BC’s coastal marine resources, t he risk from ocean acidification and hypoxia to BC’s seafood sector is significant .
BC’s ocean economy contributes $21.5 billion to the provincial GDP or 8%, directly employing 131,000 people. Of this, the seafood sector contributes $1.5 billion or 0.6% to the provincial GDP. BC’s seafood sector consists of both wild capture & aquaculture and provides thousands of jobs to British Columbians, employing 9,722 people in 2020. S eafood is also an integral cultural resource for many First Nations. Fishing and aquaculture are key factors
contributing to the well-being of many First Nations communities across the province. Many First Nations in BC have identified fisheries and aquaculture as an important part of reconciliation, economic self determination, and food security and sovereignty.
To better understand the state of knowledge related to ocean acidification and hypoxia in BC’s coastal waters , the Province of BC initiated the development of an Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Action Plan
to inform recommendations for mitigation and adaptation strategies to support the long-term sustainability of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors . Development of the plan was led by an advisory committee consisting of science experts, industry, First Nations, Provincial, Local and Federal Government representatives . The advisory committee convened 4 virtual workshops between November 2021 and March 2022 to assess:
1. state of the science;
2. seafood harvester and producer perspectives;
3. coastal community perspectives; and 4. policy and governance considerations. The workshops attracted 242 participants (172 unique) from 88 unique organizations.
This presentation will provide a summary of the key findings from the workshop discussions along with the
goals, objectives, and actions recommended.