169 Conservation for the Anthropocene Ocean. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-805375-1.00009-X Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 9 Ocean Cultures: Northwest Coast Ecosystems and Indigenous Management Systems Darcy L. Mathews, Nancy J. Turner University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada INTRODUCTION In our efforts to sustain and restore our marine and coastal ecosystems on the Northwest Coast of North America and beyond, how can we learn from Indigenous People’s traditional management systems? Marine species and habi- tats are critical elements of the world’s biodiversity and are essential for human well-being. Yet, humans have caused major impacts on biodiversity, through overharvesting, habitat degradation, introducing invasive species, pollution and now, through induced climate change. Marine biodiversity is particularly vul- nerable. However, there are also examples from many regions of people sustain- ing and even enhancing marine productivity while still using marine resources (Berkes, 2012; Butler and Campbell, 2004; Caldwell et al., 2012; Comberti et al., 2015; Lepofsky and Caldwell, 2013; Thornton and Deur, 2015; Turner and Clifton, 2006). The approaches used are obviously of great interest today, perhaps more than ever before, as our oceans and coastal ecosystems continue to be threatened. In this chapter, we examine the diversity of strategies developed over mil- lennia by Northwest Coast First Peoples to maintain and enhance marine and coastal species and habitats. These form a continuum with traditional terres- trial management systems, and tend to reflect the same overarching values and protocols applied and upheld by Indigenous People of the region “since time immemorial” (Brown et al., 2009; Turner, 2005). Our work is based on compila- tions and analyses of oral histories and ethnographic accounts from Indigenous environmental experts, along with reviews of published literature, journals and field notes of surveyors, colonial officials and others, as well as surveys and documentation by ourselves and colleagues of the physical, archaeological, and