Guidance and Lessons Learned for Canada's Marine Protected Area Networks

FOREWORD

In November 1994 the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans issued A Vision for Ocean Management, which highlighted the need for an oceans-management strategy and oceans legislation. Following an extensive period of consultation and parliamentary committee debate, the Oceans Act came into force on 31 January 1997. The Act established Canada as the first country with comprehensive oceans-management legislation. Canada has begun to implement its Oceans Act through a series of integrated management activities in priority areas, using area-based management tools such as marine protected areas.

Canada committed nationally and internationally to establish marine protected area networks. This commitment has been identified as a key deliverable under the federal Health of the Oceans initiative (2007) and Canada's Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy (2005). Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the Government of Canada lead for the establishment of Canada's system of marine protected areas, working in cooperation with Parks Canada Agency, Environment Canada, and provincial and territorial agencies with a mandate to conserve and protect marine areas, as well as with First Nations and Aboriginal groups, industries, non-governmental organizations and other interest groups.

This workshop gave these Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial authorities, Aboriginal organizations and national level stakeholders an opportunity to jointly access and explore the growing body of international knowledge and experience in the planning of marine protected area networks. It represents the first of many steps to come in building Canada's marine protected area networks in an inclusive, coordinated, and complementary fashion.

Martine Landry for Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Jennifer Smith for World Wildlife Fund-Canada