Changing paradigms in marine and coastal conservation: A case study of clam gardens in the Southern Gulf Islands, Canada

Marine conservation is a global challenge and marine protected areas (MPAs) are one means of addressing this challenge. Progress in MPA designation is slow, partially due to objections to MPA establishment by local stakeholders and Indigenous peoples. This article suggests that a values-based paradigm to conservation that emphasizes active management and further engagement of First Nations, as rights-holders, should be given more emphasis. The re-introduction of clam gardens into Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR) is used as an example of this approach. Clam gardens were constructed by First Nations on the Pacific Coast to augment the productivity of clam growth. Several former clam gardens are within GINPR. The primary mandate of national parks is to protect ecological integrity, potentially forbidding the re-introduction of clam gardens. The literature suggests that there would be minimal ecological impacts at the park level from the re-introduction of clam gardens. There could also be significant advantages both for conservation and First Nations communities. With a greater degree of decision-making input and the opportunity to re-introduce cultural practices, a values-based paradigm may contribute to the acceptability of coastal PAs and promote the expansion of conservation values in the landscape.