Marine Protected Areas

Developing a National System of Protected Areas for the Marine Environment

Canada's Oceans Act (Section 35 (2)) states:

For the purposes of integrated management plans ... the Minister (of Fisheries and Oceans) will lead and coordinate the development and implementation of a national system of marine protected areas on behalf of the Government of Canada.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Parks Canada and Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service) all have mandated responsibilities to create protected areas in the marine environment. Since the Oceans Act names the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans as the lead federal authority responsible for oceans, DFO will lead in the development of a national system of marine protected areas* incorporating the programs of all three departments. Since management of marine ecosystems is a shared responsibility, it is essential to work together to conserve and protect these areas.

The different federal protected area programs share a common objective: to further conservation and protection of living marine resources and their habitats. By coordinating the policies, programs and prospective sites amongst the different federal agencies, the integrity and health of Canada's estuarine, coastal and marine waters will be better maintained. The booklet Working Together For Marine Protected Areas: A National Approach describes the federal programs in greater detail.

Federal Departments and Programs

Fisheries and Oceans:

• Marine Protected Areas

  Program Focus

  • Conserving and protecting marine species, habitats and ecosystems

Parks Canada:

• Marine Conservation Areas

  Program Focus

  • Protecting representative examples of natural and cultural heritage

Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service):

• Migratory Bird Sanctuaries
• National Wildlife Areas
• Marine Wildlife Areas

  Program Focus

  • Protecting major marine and nearshore areas for wildlife, research, conservation and public education
  .

*Note:
Within this document, the name 'Marine Protected Area, MPA' refers specifically to the DFO program under the Oceans Act.
The name 'marine protected area' is a generic term referring to protected areas in the marine environment created by any agency.