Marine Protected Areas

Definition under the Oceans Act

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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 Oceans Act (Section 35 (1)) states:

A marine protected area is an area of sea that forms part of the internal waters of Canada, the territorial sea of Canada or the exclusive economic zone of Canada and has been designated under this section for special protection for one or more of the following reasons:

1. the conservation and protection of commercial and non-commercial fishery resources, including marine mammals, and their habitats;
2. the conservation and protection of endangered or threatened marine species, and their habitats;
3. the conservation and protection of unique habitats;
4. the conservation and protection of marine areas of high biodiversity or biological productivity; and
5. the conservation and protection of any other marine resource or habitat as is necessary to fulfill the mandate of the Minister (of Fisheries and Oceans Canada).

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