Ecosystem Considerations

Ecosystem-based management is an integrated or holistic approach to making decisions about ocean-based development and conservation activities. It means considering the environmental impact of an activity on the whole ecosystem, not simply the specific resource targeted. It also means taking into account the cumulative impact of all human activities on the ecosystem within that area. This is different from past management approaches that focused on a single species or single economic activity.

Ecosystem-based management sets objectives for various aspects of marine ecosystem structures and functions, such as productivity, key species and sensitive habitats. These objectives describe the desired physical, chemical or biological condition of the ecosystem, or one of its constituents, to ensure a healthy ecosystem. As such, these ecosystem objectives are extremely important to the overall management of a specific marine area.

Implementation of Canada’s approach to integrated management and the development of integrated-management plans are built around these objectives as a means to ensure sustainability of the resources and their habitats. This means that management decisions about ocean resources and coastal uses must be made with full consideration of ecosystem impact.

A system of large ocean management areas (LOMAs) is being established in Canada. Within these planning units, integrated management is being applied.

Over time, the integrated-management approach will cover all marine waters under Canada's jurisdiction.

Currently, five priority LOMAs have been established to focus on areas under pressure from human activities and to address key conservation challenges. We are learning how to apply the integrated management planning approach within these areas before broadening the approach elsewhere.