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Smoking is prohibited
During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin.

Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve

Date Established: 1981
Size: 34650 ha

Important Notice Attention Visitors – Important Notice! Show/hide public advisories

  • Access to this ecological reserve may be restricted

    BC Parks is advising potential visitors to this ecological reserve that local First Nations are in a continued state of emergency due to COVID-19. Visitors may find access to these locations restricted due to roadblocks on lands managed by local First Nations. Most services in these communities remain closed and visitors are being refused entry.

Checleset Bay - Ecological Reserve

Purpose

Ecological Reserves are areas in British Columbia selected to preserve representative and special natural ecosystems, plant and animal species, features, and phenomena. Ecological Reserves provide the highest level of protection for the maintenance of physical and biological diversity while allowing for research and educational activities. More information on Ecological Reserves »

Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve was established to provide sufficient high-quality marine habitat for a reintroduced population of sea otters to increase their range and abundance to the point that they are no longer endangered.

Detailed Ecological Reserve Description

BC Parks has created a detailed description of each Ecological Reserve to support current or potential education and research. Each account includes physical, biological, and cultural information as well as management concerns regarding the Ecological Reserve, with references to supporting documents where available. Additional documents may also be made available, upon request.

Detailed Description

Supporting Documents [pdf]

Restrictions

Ecological reserves are not created for outdoor recreation. Most ecological reserves, however, are open to the public for non-destructive pursuits like hiking, nature observation and photography. Consumptive activities like hunting, freshwater fishing, camping, livestock grazing, removal of materials, plants or animals are prohibited by regulation in ecological reserves. Motorized vehicles are not allowed. Research and educational activities may be carried out but only under permit.

Special Restrictions:
Landing along the shoreline of Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve is restricted to protect sensitive wildlife and their habitats. Permission to land is required.

Federal fisheries restrictions specific to Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve are in effect within its marine boundary. Rockfish Conservation Areas have been established within Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve.

For more information check with Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.

Location and Maps

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Between Kyuquot and the Brooks Peninsula, W coast of Vancouver Island

Ecological Zones

Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification information

Coastal Western Hemlock

Marine Ecosystem Classification

Vancouver Island Shelf

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
  • The Purpose Statement [PDF 132.05KB] for Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve is available in pdf format.