Marine Protection and the Sea of Glass

Recorded Friday, June 12, 2026.

Presentation by Eden Luymes, CPAWS-BC Conservation Campaigner

It should come as no surprise that the ocean is under threat. Climate change, over-fishing, pollution, and industrial development are just a few of the dirty laundry list of threats marine environments are facing. Join us in exploring and interrogating marine protected areas (MPAs) as a solution. Marine Protected Areas are an area-based conservation tool that can help protect species and ecosystems, create spaces for nature to recover, support reconciliation and Indigenous sovereignty, and strengthen and diversify local communities and economies. We’ll explore new and proposed MPAs in BC; deep-dive on rare species like the Glass Sponge Reef; discuss the benefits and limits of MPAs; and illuminate what you can do to support marine conservation today.

About Eden Luymes

Eden Luymes (she/her) lives on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. She grew up enamoured with the mountains and the beaches of the coast, and spent much of her childhood exploring tidepools and climbing mountains with her family.
Eden holds undergraduate degrees from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (SciencesPo) and the University of British Columbia, and a graduate degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. Eden has worked for a variety of ENGOs and government organizations including BC Parks, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Stanley Park Ecology Society, and the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy. Eden is excited to help youth gain the confidence and skills to protect our communities, lands, and waters at CPAWS-BC. In her spare time, she loves mountaineering, singing karaoke, and scanning the Salish Sea for orcas.

Additional Resources

Useful links

  • Cloud sponge 3 Neil McDaniel (CC BY NC 4.0), iNaturalist Eden Luymes
  • Cloud sponge ilovenudis (CC BY NC), iNaturalist Eden Luymes

Reports

Take action

  1. Get informed about local marine and environmental issues – action starts with education
  2. Talk about conservation and ocean environmental issues with your communities! Spread the word and engage in healthy dialogue about ocean threats and solutions
  3. Support Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship of lands and waters
  4. Send a message to the federal government NOW demanding that they uphold protections for species at risk AND that they uphold the oil tanker moratorium act on the north coast
  5. Support our campaigns on Glass Sponge Reefs and on the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network

Elbows Up for Nature

Have Your Say: Tell the government that fast-tracking projects shouldn’t mean weaker nature protections. A CPAWS campaign.

Find out more and participate in the consultations.
HS 1 sized clr Eden Luymes

Featured image photo: Neil McDaniel. Additonal gallery photos: Eden Luymes.