Parks Canada is responsible for ensuring appropriate levels of certification and standards for businesses operating within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Industry standards will be adopted, and if none exist, Parks Canada will work with industry and coastal National Park Reserves to develop standards. Compliance with these standards is now required to obtain and maintain a Park Business License.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (PRNPR) has adopted the qualification of “lead guide” as recognized by the three certifying sea kayak organizations in BC: the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC), the Association of Canadian Sea Kayak Guides (ACSKG) and Canadian Federation of Kayak Educators (CFOKE).
In the fall of 2002, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve invited the SKGABC and ACSKG to participate in the process of confirming guide qualifications. On October 29th 2002, Parks Canada staff (Pacific Rim, Gwaii Haanas and Gulf Islands National Park Reserves) met with SKGABC and ACSKG representatives to classify the waters of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and to confirm the appropriate kayak guide qualifications for the Broken Group Islands. The SKGABC and ACSKG agreed that qualifications of a “lead guide”, based on their respective certification processes, are the most appropriate qualifications for a kayak guide to possess in the Broken Group Islands.
CFOKE later joined the consultation process. CFOKE’s qualifications for “lead guide” were also reviewed and accepted by Parks Canada.
Based on the above-described discussions with the kayak industry, all businesses operating guided kayak tours in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve must have industry certified “lead guides”. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve recognizes the issue of acquiring certified lead guides. Therefore, this requirement will be phased in over a three year period. This phase-in period, suggested by and agreed to by SKGABC and ACSKG, will be as follows:
2003: accept status quo
2004: 30 days under a full guide
2005: 50 days under a full guide
2006: certified lead guide
Other issues discussed:
Surf kayaking
The park recognizes surf kayaking as a separate activity which is not directly addressed by the sea kayak industry. Parks Canada will consult with surf kayak instructors operating in Long Beach to develop standards.
Mothershipping
Mothershipping, defined as “operating or anchoring any recreational or commercial powered vessel in order to supply, store or collect equipment or provisions, or to accommodate, pick or drop off people for the purposes of overnight use” is prohibited in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Rentals
Parks Canada has no authority to regulate standards of companies renting equipment. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will work with local rental companies to encourage dissemination of public safety information and park information to visitors using equipment within the park.
Orientation
All guides of businesses licensed to operate within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will be required to attend one orientation session. The orientation session will include the role and responsibility of Parks Canada, natural and cultural history of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and review emergency protocol, park-specific regulations, and low impact standards (for camping, managing human waste, etc.).
Emergency Protocol
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will require a list of safety equipment and safety procedural protocols of sea kayak guide operators.
Low Impact Standards
Currently, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is working with the SKGABC, ACSKG and CFOKE to develop low impact standards for camping, managing human waste and other activities. This process includes combining existing standards from each of these organisations, adding regulations required by Parks Canada policy and the Canada National Parks Act, and soliciting comments from kayak operators. A public forum for all operators to discuss and finalise proposed standards will be held in February.
Parks Canada welcomes your questions and comments regarding the development of kayak standards in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Sincerely,
Alex Zellermeyer, Superintendent
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
