Ocean-Dependent Economic Activities on British Columbia's North Coast

Marine NEWSLETTER FACTSHEET JANUARY 2013 Ocean-Dependent Economic Activities on British Columbia’s North Coast © Mike A © Mike m b a ch / WWF- ch C ANADA

VALUE Introduction Ocean industries A WWF-Canada funded study, undertaken by the University of British Columbia’s contribute up to Fisheries Centre, shows that ocean-based industries are critical to the regional economy and well-being of communities on B.C.’s North Coast. This summary provides highlights $1.2-billion of the report examining the value of four ocean-based industries: commercial fishing, port activities, ferry transportation and marine tourism.1 WWF-Canada commissioned this study to better understand how oil spill risks on B.C.’s North Coast could affect these ocean-based industries, which currently contribute as much as $1.2-billion to regional communities each year. commercial fishing processing, and a growing tourism sector and expanding industrial development. The economies of – communities Nations First and coastal including Kitamaat Village, Hartley Bay, Metlakatla, Lax Kw’alaams, Skidegate and MassetOld – are directly affectedby ocean- based activities. egion and Economyegion he North Coast R T When indirect and induced values are considered, North Coast ocean-based industries provide employment for an equivalent of nearly 30 per cent of the regional population. B.C.’s North Coast RegionB.C.’s encompasses coastal and inland areas; bordered the to west by the Pacific Ocean, to and the east by the Nechako region. Its regional population 56,145 of includes the coastal communities Kitimat of Prince 9,200), (pop. Rupert (pop. and Haida12,900) Gwaii 6,700). (pop. Economic activity is predominantly resource-based here with significant

© Chad Graham / WWF-CANADA © Chad Graham / WWF-CANADA Up to $743-millionUp in yearlyGDP from ocean industries. 10 34 21 13 420 410 74 - 91 56 - 95 83 - 103 139 - 198 667 - 743 TO GDP (2011 CAD, millions) (2011 CAD, CONTRIBUTION CONTRIBUTION 114 451 284 167 4,550 4,436 (PYs) 863 - 1,061

2,922 - 4,352 1,128 - 1,920 1,794 - 2,432 8,983 - 10,216 EMPLOYMENT These values provide a very conservative estimate of total output, employment and contribution resulting GDP to from ocean- based activities within the North Coast Region. Estimates commercial for fishing and marine tourism are believed to be to due low limited data availability these for industries. regional population. Unemployment is relatively high in this region with a rate of percent9.3 compared the to provincial rate per6.6 of cent. This suggests that ocean- based industries are critical the to regional economy and well-being communities. of 20 46 29 17 800 780 52 - 89 68 - 92 155 - 190 120 - 181 millions) (2011 CAD, (2011 CAD, OUTPUT OUTPUT VALUE OF OF VALUE 1,121 - 1,218 INDUSTRY Non-tourism activities Cruise ship tourism Non-tourism activities Ferry tourism Recreational fishing Recreational Other activities otal Value of Ocean-Based Industries for the B.C. North of Ocean-Based Industries Coastotal for the B.C. Value Economy Commercial fishing Port activities* Ferry transportation** Marine tourism TOTAL not provided. T * Figures were reported in (InterVISTAS Consulting 2012). A range of values was not provided. A range Consulting 2012). * Figures were reported in (InterVISTAS A range of values was in (BC Ferries 2004-2011). reported **Estimates were generated based on operating revenue These estimates that show ocean-based industries contribute a total $1.1 of to $1.2 billion Canadian in output value, person to 10,216 of years8,983 (PYs) employment and million to $743 $667 in gross domestic to the product (GDP) regional economy each year. Employment BenefitsEmployment Ocean-BasedIndustriesof North Coast Region ocean-based industries are estimated directly to about 10 employ per cent of the population. When indirect and induced values are considered, ocean- based industries provide employment for an equivalent nearly of 30 per cent the of •

First Nations Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) Fishing cean

The contribution of FSC fishing (fishing and cultural values and well-being. First

for food, social and ceremonial purposes) Nations councillors and fisheries managers -D

by First Nations communities could not have expressed a very high perceived e p

be accurately evaluated. This is due to value associated with FSC fishing and enden lack of reliable catch data and deficiencies consider FSC fishing opportunities to be in current valuation approaches for non- irreplaceable to their communities.

market values related to social, educational E t conomic A c t ivi t ie s on s

WWF-Canada’s Vision Br i t

To protect B.C.’s coastal i sh C sh communities, livelihoods, and the ecosystems that olumbia sustain them, we must maintain healthy oceans. To find out more about what

WWF is doing to support N ’s healthy oceans through

ch / WWF- ch Contact

Linda Nowlan • jANUA

C Director ANADA Pacific Conservation WWF-Canada

Vancouver R Y 2013Y Mike Ambach 1 Ngaio Hotte & Rashid Sumaila, Potential economic impact of a tanker spill on ocean-based industries in British Manager Columbia, Fisheries Centre Research Report 20(7), Vol. 20 No. 7 Pages: 45, 2012. References have been omitted North Coast Region here and can be found in the full study which is available at www.fisheries.ubc.ca/publications/potential-economic- WWF-Canada impact-tanker-spill-ocean-based-industries-british-columbia. The scope includes economic activity that is generated within the region, undertaken by local residents as well as visitors, and economic activity in other jurisdictions that Prince Rupert results from ocean-related activities within the North Coast region. WWF.CA