Purpose

The overall purpose of integrated management is for decision makers responsible for ocean-based activities to manage these activities in a manner that will sustain a healthy marine environment and provide due consideration of other ocean users.

The aim of integrated management is to improve decision making to ensure that decisions:

• are more effective in the long term;
• are not conflicting;
• are built upon a common knowledge base; and
• take into consideration the needs of the ecosystem as well as the needs of humankind.

By implementing an integrated-management approach, Canada will ensure that we:

• maintain the health of our marine ecosystems;
• address user conflicts;
• limit the cumulative effects of human activities within a defined ocean space; and
• maximize and diversify sustainable use of our oceans.