Marine Protected Areas

Canada's Commitment to Marine Protection

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Canada's Commitment to Marine Protection MPAs under the Oceans Act Program Overview, Goals and Objectives Code of Practice Developing a National System of Protected Areas for the Marine Environment
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Canada's history has been defined by its surrounding marine environment. The Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are important to our culture, our economy, and our national identity. Of equal significance are internal waters having large marine components such as the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Hudson Bay and James Bay.

The richness and biodiversity of Canada's oceans provide enormous potential for both present and future generations. Our continental shelf is one of the largest in the world. The marine ecosystems found there have a remarkable diversity of species, including commercial and non-commercial fish, marine mammals, invertebrates and plants. Canada's oceans provide numerous opportunities for commercial, recreational and aboriginal fisheries; tourism; transportation; mineral production; education; and biological and technical research.

In recent years, growth in Canada's ocean sector has resulted in increased pressures on the ocean environment. The biodiversity and ecological integrity of many marine ecosystems are being threatened. There is a need to proactively conserve and protect marine ecosystem functions, species, and habitats for future generations.

Achieving sustainability in the harvest of living ocean resources ultimately depends on healthy, productive ecosystems. A new approach to oceans management is needed, one that takes an ecosystem approach rather than a sectoral one. In recognition of this, the Government of Canada works with other countries to address concerns about the marine environment. Internationally, Canada has demonstrated its commitment by endorsing conventions that pursue the goals of conservation and protection, including the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities.

It is equally important that the Government of Canada work with Canadians to manage activities in or affecting the marine environment. This vision of oceans management is embodied in the Oceans Act, which came into force in January 1997. The Act confirms Canada's role with respect to oceans management, specifying the need to integrate marine conservation with development activities to maintain healthy ecosystems.

Working together with interested Canadians, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans will lead and facilitate the development and implementation of a national strategy for the management of estuarine, coastal, and marine ecosystems. The Oceans Strategy will be based on the principles of sustainable development, integrated management and the precautionary approach.

In addition to the Oceans Strategy, the Oceans Act identifies three complementary initiatives for the conservation and protection of the oceans. These legislated initiatives are:

• the Marine Protected Areas program, which entails leading and coordinating the development and implementation of a national system of marine protected areas, including designating areas for special protection for reasons specified in the Oceans Act.
• the Integrated Management program, which entails leading, facilitating and implementing plans for the integrated management of all activities or measures in or affecting estuaries, coastal and marine waters; and
• the Marine Ecosystem Health program, which entails establishing marine environmental quality guidelines to support the implementation of these plans.

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