More than just mud!

The Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is 21 square kilometers of rich, diverse habitats for numerous wildlife species. It is comprised of tidal flats, shallow to deep subtidal areas, rock and gravel beaches, marshes, tidal channels, streams, riparian areas, and dense coastal temperate rainforest. More sheltered than most intertidal environments, and richer in nutrients, the mudflats are a fascinating place to explore. With tides that ebb up to 2.25 kilometers and mud as deep as 6ft, numerous species call the Tofino mudflats home. Pipefish, ghost shrimp, and ribbon worms are just some of the small fish and invertebrates that spend their whole lives in the eelgrass and mud of Tofino Mudflats WMA. Other animals use the mudflats daily or seasonally. Thousands of migratory and local birds species can be found feeding and resting. Grey whales and orcas pass through the area’s deep channels. Bears, cougars and wolves forage in the forest and shoreline environments.

The Tofino Mudflats WMA was established in 1997 to conserve wildlife habitat in Clayoquot Sound and is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It has been extremely valued by the local communities, visitors, along with many others for its recreational, economic, cultural, scientific, and ecological purposes. Whether a bird watcher, a shellfish harvester or a scientist, the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area is an exciting place to visit.

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations

The Tofino Mudflats lies within the traditional territory of the  Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Over 50 archaeological sites, including shell middens, fish traps, and canoe skids, reflect a long history of resource use and management in the area.

Fish Traps

Fish traps were built with loads of rocks carried by canoes. The canoes were paddled to the site at high tide and rocks were positioned to create enclosures. The enclosures were baited with mussels, collected on branches hanging over the water from the shoreline. Fish were attracted to the broken mussels and were trapped within the enclosure as the tide receded. Joe remembers skewering perch caught this way, and cooking it over a fire.

Every beach and bay had individual names that described what was found there. For example, as a child, Joe helped catch fish from a net strung across “Tsa mit aa” (meaning Coho Stream) in the cove identified as “Maltby Slough” on today’s maps. There were many other sites used throughout the Mudflats.

It is estimated that about 10,000 Tla-o-qui-aht lived in the area at one time. They followed laws for harvesting the eelgrass, clams, crabs, fish, ducks, and other resources found in their territories. Respect for nature was taught from an early age. Lessons were often given while eating so that the connection between food and caring for resources was reinforced. Bodies and minds were nourished at the same time.

The Tla-o-qui-aht continue to gather resources from the Tofino Mudflats. Joe knows many people who harvest clams, crabs, ducks and deer. This productive area remains important to the Tla-o-qui-aht who still call it home after thousands of years.

Funding for the creation and maintenance of this website is provided by Habitat Conservation Trust Fund