Marine ecosystems in the Southern Strait of Georgia are facing threats from growing human populations and increasing coastal development. Ships that ply the waters introduce the threats of oil spills, noise, collisions, ship groundings, invasive species and the dumping of bilge water, sewage, and other waste materials. Commercial and recreational fishing create pressures on salmon and other fish that the endangered southern resident killer whale feed on. Several rockfish species have become so rare that they are now considered threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Tourism in the area can also be disturbing to wildlife if not managed carefully.
In 2003, with support and pressure from environmental groups, Parks Canada began the feasibility study. However, meetings between the federal and provincial governments have stalled. One of the issues blocking progress on the NMCA is the provincial ownership of the seabed in the area, which must be transferred to the federal government under the terms of the National Marine Conservation Areas Act. It is a critical time for the NMCA, as the provincial government will be deciding whether to continue discussing an agreement with the federal government.
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