Purpose of the Health of the Oceans Initiatives

Health of the Oceans Initiatives will protect fragile marine environments, counter pollution and strengthen preventive measures by:

• strengthening pollution prevention at source (conservation of natural resources);
• increasing capacity to lessen the effects of pollution when and where it occurs;
• increasing protection of ecologically significant marine areas through the establishment of nine new marine protected areas (MPAs);
• investing in science to better understand the oceans; and
• co-operating more closely with domestic and international partners for more integrated oceans management.

An important goal is to understand and protect the most vulnerable parts of our oceans. We also need to promote co-operation with our international partners. Such co-operation will work towards the ultimate goal of ensuring healthy and prosperous oceans for the benefit of current and future generations of Canadians.

Why are these initiatives important?

The health and quality of Canada’s marine environment are at risk.

What are the issues?

There are several important issues and challenges affecting Canada’s marine environment, including:

• declining fish stocks;
• changes in the structure of marine ecosystems, especially in the upper layers of the food web;
• introduction of pollutants (such as oily bilge water) and invasive species (such as zebra mussels and green crabs);
• increasing numbers of marine species at risk;
• habitat alteration and degradation;
• contamination of traditionally harvested resources; and
• declining biodiversity and productivity.

Canada’s Health of the Oceans Initiatives are designed to address a number of these challenges.