Canada’s first protected marine area coming to B.C. coast after Shell gives up exploration permits

VANCOUVER — Shell Canada Ltd. has given up it offshore exploration rights, clearing the way for the creation of Canada’s first protected marine area under the Canada Wildlife Act.
Shell voluntarily released about 50,000 square kilometres of permits in an area off northern Vancouver Island to allow for the creation of the Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area.
The permits cover an offshore area more than one-and-a-half times the size of Vancouver Island, and while Shell Canada p