Salish sea gardens: Restoring sea gardens at Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Flourishing intertidal ecosystems supported rich Indigenous cultures and societies along the west coast for thousands of years. Beach tending, rock walls and other innovations led to very productive seafood habitat. These ecosystems and culturally important food species are under threat. The onset of colonization has resulted in the suppression of Indigenous mariculture. Much like a garden, these systems need a relationship with people in order to thrive to the same degree. The coast line is changing. Growing foreshore development, additional septic and industrial contaminants and a modified ocean chemistry resulting in more acidic sea water and increasing biotoxin blooms is threatening these ecosystems. The Sea Gardens project will build on previous lessons to: 1) build a healthy eco-cultural sea garden system that is sustainable for the long-term, and 2) work with partners and across agencies to improve shellfish management policies throughout the region. Approach: — Collaborate with W̱ SÁNEĆ and Cowichan Nation Alliance/Hul’q’umi’num speaking Nations to apply Indigenous techniques and knowledge to restore and maintain sea garden sites and bivalve health. — Transplant targeted species to improve ecological health of the broader intertidal system, and monitor the effects of restoration and management techniques. — Facilitate Indigenous leadership of the project. — Collaborate with other government agencies, research partners and stakeholders to enable harvesting and to test policy changes that enable safe harvesting practices. — Collaboratively develop a youth mentorship program with Indigenous school districts and other groups to support the next generation of beach tenders. More information: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/gulf/nature/restauration-restoration/jardins-de-la-mer-sea-gardens