Government of Canada Announces Progress on Marine Protection

Minister Ashfield announces three new Areas of Interest

June 8, 2011

OTTAWA - To mark World Oceans Day, the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced three Areas of Interest for potential designation as Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act.

Minister Ashfield announced St. Anns Bank as an Area of Interest in Eastern Nova Scotia, and two Areas of Interest in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, American Bank and Shediac Valley. This represents another key step towards fulfilling the Government’s commitment to establish a national network of Marine Protected Areas.

“Our government remains committed to working with stakeholders and other levels of government to ensure the health of our oceans and World Oceans Day is a time to affirm the importance of our oceans to Canadians,” said Minister Ashfield. “The identification of these three new Areas of Interest demonstrates not only our commitment to conservation and protection, but also our commitment to ensuring that ocean resources thrive for the benefit of our communities.”

A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a protective designation for an area that significantly contributes to the health of marine ecosystems and their resources. The Government of Canada has established three new Marine Protected Areas, two National Marine Conservation Areas and three National Wildlife Areas in the marine environment. The first step in MPA establishment is the identification of an Area of Interest. The area will then undergo detailed evaluation, and public consultation before a decision is made to formally designate it as an MPA.

World Oceans Day is celebrated globally on June 8. It follows Canadian Environment Week (May 31 – June 5) and coincides with the start of Rivers to Oceans Week (June 8 -14). The theme for 2011/2012 World Oceans Day is Youth: The Next Wave for Change.

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Backgrounders:

• St Anns Bank Named an Area of Interest for Marine Protected Area Designation
• Shediac Valley Area of Interest Could Be Designated a Marine Protected Area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
• American Bank Area of Interest Could Be Designated a Marine Protected Area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

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For more information:

Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-990-7537

Erin Filliter
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474

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