Our Oceans

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Our Oceans Our Marine Life Our Ocean Economy Our Oceans Strategy Oceans Management at Work Your Role - Get informed and involved! Contact DFO’s Communications Branch
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Canada is a maritime nation, bordered by the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. With the world's longest coastline, our ocean estate covers a surface area of approximately 7.1 million square kilometres, or an area equivalent to about 70 percent of Canada's land mass.

Canada's oceans are an integral part of our identity as a nation. They form the heart of our way of life in many communities, and are valued as an essential resource by all Canadians. Oceans are important to life on the planet. They help provide the food we eat and purify the water we drink. They generate much of the oxygen we breathe and help regulate our climate. Oceans also spur the global economy, creating jobs and sustaining communities.

With a view to our future, the Government of Canada is working hard with its partners to ensure that future generations of Canadians will inherit healthy oceans and ocean resources, and that our collective use of these resources is sustainable.

Oceans Day - On June 8^th, Canada celebrates World Oceans Day. This is a day for all Canadians to consider the importance of oceans to life on our planet. It is also a time to raise awareness about the health of our oceans and acknowledge that we all play a role in conserving and protecting them.