In 2000, Clayoquot Sound was designated a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations' Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in recognition of its global, cultural, and ecological importance and uniqueness. But only a portion of Clayoquot Sound is protected from industrial activities. The designation, or the word "reserve" specifically, seems to imply that all of Clayoquot Sound's ecosystems have been protected, which has lead to widespread belief that logging and fish farming no longer occur in Clayoquot Sound. In reality this is far from being true. The Biosphere designation is symbolic only and did not bring any new protected areas or environmental regulations. About three-quarters of the productive ancient forest in Clayoquot Sound is open to logging. Only one-quarter of productive forest has been set aside in protected areas (parks), most of which are considered too small to offer meaningful protection. About 26 fish farm tenures exist in Clayoquot Sound for raising salmon in factory sea cages. These industrial fish farms do not treat the waste that they produce before dumping it into the ocean, and are permitted by law to shoot sea lions and other marine animals. While the Biosphere Reserve designation has placed Clayoquot Sound on the list of key ecological hotspots globally, it has not changed the rate at which ecosystems are being degraded.
What is a "Biosphere Reserve"?
As part of its Man and Biosphere Programme, UNESCO has designated more than 450 Biosphere Reserves in 97 countries around the world (as of mid-2005). The goal of the Biosphere Reserve program is to develop "the basis, within the natural and the social sciences, for the sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity, and for the improvement of the relationship between people and their environment globally". UNESCO describes the function of Biosphere Reserves as "...'living laboratories' for testing out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity" (see http://www.unesco.org/mab). Generally, the Biosphere Reserves consist of "core" protected areas (parks), with surrounding "buffer zones" (where some industrial activity is permitted), and "transition areas" where few restrictions exist on industrial activity. Several Biosphere Reserves of note include: the Galapagos Islands (almost 15 million hectares -- only 65,000 hectares protected); and the Central Amazon (20 million hectares -- 4 million protected). But is it wise to promote experimentation with these global treasures?
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
PO Box 489, 331 Neill St., Tofino BC V0R 2Z0
Tel: 250-725-4218 Fax: 250-725-2527
Email: info@focs.ca
About Clayoquot Sound
Map - Where is Clayoquot Sound?
Clayoquot Sound World Biosphere Reserve
What is a Temperate Rainforest?
Amazing Facts About Temperate Rainforests!
Photo Gallery: Beautiful Clayoquot Sound
Photo by Adrian Dorst
The health of the global environment depends on intact ecosystems. It is our responsibility to act as peaceful and courageous advocates for marine and terrestrial life in Clayoquot Sound. Join us!
