Requirements include:

• adequate water quality
• intact physical habitat

Threats include:

• bycatch
• poaching
• marine pollution
• habitat degradation caused by bottom trawling

Strategies

Reduce water pollution from coastal and upland sources

• Install the best available sewage treatment technology
• Ensure that runoff from pavement adequately treated in new developments through the subdivision and development permitting processes.
• Retrofit storm sewers with oil/grease separators, sediment traps, and/or treatment wetlands during other maintenance and upgrading projects.
• Prevent direct dumping of toxic materials into storm or sanitary sewers through public education and a bylaw.
• Ban insecticide and herbicide use for cosmetic purposes on lands within jurisdiction (municipalities only).
• Eliminate insecticide and herbicide use on local government lands.
• Keep high-risk industries away from habitats through zoning.
• Enforce stringent anti-pollution regulations for boats and port facilities (port authorities).

Prevent disturbance and poaching

• Target lands adjacent to important habitats for acquisition by purchase or dedication via the rezoning, subdivision and development permit processes.
• Restrict access on local government lands adjacent to key habitats.
• Restrict public access to sensitive habitats by water (port authorities).
• Include information on listed marine shellfish in public education materials and programs.

Protect Habitats from Disturbance

• include information on the impacts of bottom trawling on inshore fish specie in public education materials and programming.

For more information on best management practices and stewardship options, consult:

• Coastal Shore Stewardship: A Guide for Planners, Builders and Developers, a Stewardship Series publication.
• Marine Protected Areas Strategy for Canada's Pacific Coast