The view looking down the Douglas Channel from Kitimat, B.C. Tuesday, June, 17, 2014.JONATHAN HAYWARD/The Canadian Press
British Columbia First Nations and the provincial government have signed a marine-management plan covering100,000 kilometres of coastline, including areas expected to see liquefied natural gas plants and increased oil tanker traffic.
An agreement between the province and 18 First Nations includes plans to guide marine use and protect ocean health in areas that include Haida Gwaii, northern Vancouver Island and the North and Central coasts.
The joint coastal management agreement has been in the works for several years.
B.C.'s northern coastal waters are home to many First Nations, who use the ocean as a major food and economic source.
Those same areas are facing major development and possible environmental issues, with proposed liquefied natural gas export plants and plans for supertankers carrying oil-based products along the coast.