November 15, 2024
Yes, Manitoba has a coast. No, it’s not too late to protect it.
by Claire Woodbury, Conservation Campaign Manager
Often when people think of Manitoba, they might associate the keystone province with our prairie roots, our love of sports and festivals, lakes and the great outdoors, but often they also think “landlocked”.
Contrary to popular belief, Manitoba is a coastal province. Our beautiful northern coastline runs approximately 645 km along Hudson Bay. The waters of Hudson Bay and their associated shorelines, inlets and river mouths are teeming with life, from the smallest underwater microorganism to the playful beluga and the charismatic polar bear.
Who Lives on the Coast?
Northern Manitoba is home to some 84,000 people in 49 communities, including 35 First Nations and the major hubs of Thompson, The Pas and Churchill. Hudson Bay’s waters and shores have sustained life for the Inuit, Dene, Cree and their ancestors since time Immemorial.
World-famous Churchill is home to folks from all walks of life and occupations including the industries of healthcare, trades and transport, manufacturing, education, tourism and recreation, finance and business, arts and culture.
Around 900 species of animals including over 170 different types of birds live along the shores of our northern coast. It’s also home to 1000 species of plants, not to mention the nearby lowlands’ massive peat bogs storing billions of tonnes of carbon as a natural-based protection against climate change.
What Can We Do to Protect Manitoba’s Coast?
Western Hudson Bay is a globally significant wildlife habitat, home to some of the largest populations of beluga whales and polar bears. For most of the year, sea ice covers its rugged shoreline, where hundreds of polar bears roam and hunt seals. As the ice melts, around 55,000 beluga whales migrate to the estuaries of the Churchill, Nelson, and Seal rivers to moult, calve, feed, and seek protection from predators. Over 170 bird species also nest along its rocky coast, making it vital for a diverse range of wildlife.
A National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) is a protected region in the ocean and along coastlines, similar to a park but dedicated to preserving marine environments. In Northern Manitoba, CPAWS is advocating for an NMCA in Western Hudson Bay to protect its wildlife while supporting local cultures, sustainable tourism, and long-term economic opportunities. .
In NMCAs, harmful activities such as overfishing, pollution, or excessive industrial development are restricted to protect the environment. While people can still visit, explore, and fish within sustainable limits, the area is managed to ensure the health of the ecosystem. This allows species to continue thriving, and the area can recover from environmental damage if needed.
