Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxʷiqak — Tsig̱is MPA Designation

Summary#

The government has designated a large offshore area west of Vancouver Island as the Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxʷiqak — Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area. The rules protect the seabed, the water above it, and the subsoil down to 1,000 m and set limits on fishing and other activities; the regulations were registered on June 10, 2024 and published on June 19, 2024.

What it does#

• Establishes the Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxʷiqak — Tsig̱is MPA covering about 133,017 km² of Canada’s Pacific waters (water column, seabed and subsoil to 1,000 m).
• Divides the MPA into three zones:
  • Dellwood Zone (about 3,600 km²) — strongest protections.
  • Union Zone (about 3,600 km²) — strongest protections.
  • General Zone (about 125,817 km²) — broad area with fewer limits.
• Creates a general prohibition on activities that would “disturb, damage, destroy or remove” marine life or its habitat in the MPA.
• Lists specific exceptions that are still allowed:
  • Vessel navigation and emergency, safety, defense or law‑enforcement actions.
  • Laying, maintenance and repair of submarine cables.
  • Fishing with pelagic hook-and-line in zones, provided gear does not go below 100 m (Union and Dellwood) or 500 m (General).
  • Midwater trawl fishing allowed in the General Zone only, and only if gear does not go below 500 m.
  • First Nations’ food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fishing is allowed if it does not use bottom‑contact gear.
  • Scientific research, monitoring and educational activities if approved by the Minister under an Activity Plan.
• Sets deadlines and reporting rules:
  • Minister must decide on Activity Plans within 90 days after submission (or after amendments).
  • Approved Activity Plan holders must submit an activity report within 90 days after the activity ends.
• Repeals the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Marine Protected Area Regulations and brings those vents under the new, larger MPA rules.
• Enforcement: penalties can reach up to $8 million (summary conviction) or $12 million (indictable offence).

Who's affected#

• Commercial fishers, especially those who target pelagic species (like Pacific albacore tuna) and those using midwater trawl gear. Some gear and depth limits will affect how they operate in the area.
• Small commercial vessel owners and crews who fish in or near these seamounts and vents.
• West Coast Indigenous groups and organizations that use or care for these waters. This includes, among others, the Nuu‑chah‑nulth Tribal Council, Maa‑nulth Treaty Nations (via the Maa-nulth Fisheries Committee), the Council of the Haida Nation, Pacheedaht First Nation, Quatsino First Nation, and Huu‑ay‑aht First Nation, many of which engaged in planning and signed a cooperative management memorandum.
• Scientific and academic groups and observatories that work in deep-ocean research (for example, Ocean Networks Canada’s NEPTUNE infrastructure).
• Shipping and cable operators (navigation remains allowed and submarine cables are specifically permitted to be laid and maintained).

If it is unclear whether a particular activity is allowed, the rules require an Activity Plan for research/education or consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Why it matters#

• These waters contain rare seamounts and hydrothermal vents that host unique species and high biodiversity. Protecting them helps preserve habitats for commercially important fish and species of conservation concern.
• The MPA adds about 0.88% to Canada’s marine conservation coverage and protects roughly 2.3% of Canada’s ocean territory toward national targets of 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
• The rules aim to keep destructive seabed activities (like bottom‑contact fishing, mining and oil/gas development) out of the area, while still allowing some fishing, shipping and research under conditions designed to avoid harm.
• Most fishery impacts were already reduced by earlier 2017 measures, so the government expects only small incremental costs to industry. Government management, research and enforcement costs over ten years are estimated at just under $4.0 million (present value).
• The MPA also formalizes protections for previously protected vent sites (the Endeavour vents) and creates a structure for cooperative management with First Nations and monitoring of research activities.