Reaching Canada's marine conservation targets

Targets

Canada has made great progress in conserving the ocean and reaching our marine conservation targets. Canada is also a strong supporter and advocate for ocean protection around the world. To date, Canada has conserved 15.54% of the ocean.

In 2010, Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD) committed to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, including Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Aichi Target 11 committed CBD Parties to conserving 10% of coastal and marine areas globally through effectively managed systems of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) by 2020. In support of this global target, Canada committed to conserving 10% of coastal and marine areas nationally.

By 2019, by working with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, marine industry stakeholders, environmental non-government organizations, academia and local communities, Canada had protected and conserved nearly 14% (13.81%) - surpassing its 10% target for 2020 and committed to working towards conserving 30% of our ocean by 2030.

In 2020, Canada joined the Global Ocean Alliance and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which advocates and provides support for the conservation of at least 30% of the world's oceans through the establishment of MPAs and OECMs by 2030.

Canada continued to advocate for the conservation of the world's oceans at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022. World leaders agreed to the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a historic global framework to safeguard nature and halt and reverse biodiversity loss, putting nature on a path to recovery by 2050. Target 3 of the GBF commits CBD Parties to conserving at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas, and of marine and coastal areas through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed systems of protected areas and OECMs.

In February 2023, Canada hosted the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), which brought together ocean-conservation professionals and officials from around the world to exchange knowledge as well as inform, inspire and act on MPAs.

IMPAC5 highlighted the need for increased partnership with Indigenous Peoples and youth. Federal collaboration and key announcements showcased the Government of Canada's strong commitment to advancing our domestic and international conservation targets.

The Government of Canada has supported these commitments with the most significant investments in a generation:

Tools for marine protection

Oceans Act MPAs, established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, protect and conserve marine species, habitats and ecosystems, which are ecologically significant and distinct. The types of activities allowed or prohibited within an Oceans Act MPA depend on the area's conservation objectives. Economic opportunities that are compatible with these conservation objectives are typically allowed within the protected area or within specific zones of the protected area.

National Marine Conservation Areas (NCMAs), established by Parks Canada, protect and conserve areas of Canada's oceans and Great Lakes for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. NMCAs are required to include at least 2 types of zones:

one that fosters and encourages ecologically sustainable use
another that fully protects special or sensitive features of the area's ecosystem

National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, established by Environment and Climate Change Canada, are for wildlife conservation, research and interpretation. Activities that are prohibited vary by site. When National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and National Parks include a marine component, those aspects can be counted as MPAs.

Marine refuges, established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, are measures that qualify as OECMs. These measures help protect important species and their habitats, including unique corals and sponges, from the impacts of fishing. These measures are intended to be in place for the long-term, so they will make a lasting contribution to biodiversity.

Most federal tools for marine protection implement:

To learn more about marine areas already protected and conserved by the Government of Canada and provinces, please visit the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators website.

Achievements

As of March 2025, Canada has established:

14 MPAs under the Oceans Act
3 national marine conservation areas (including national marine conservation area reserves)
13 national parks with marine components (including reserves)
1 marine national wildlife area
44 migratory bird sanctuaries with marine components
10 national wildlife areas with marine components
61 marine refuges
1 Canadian landmark

Combined, these protected and conserved areas:

conserve 15.54% of Canada's marine and coastal areas
bring Canada more than halfway to the ambitious target of conserving 30% by 2030

Some milestones and achievements contributing to these targets include:

2025

Canada and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association announce the signing of the SINAA Project Finance for Permanence Agreement. SINAA means the floe edge where the open sea meets the frozen sea. The agreement was signed between the:

Government of Canada
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Aajuraq Conservation Fund Society

The agreement will support Inuit-led conservation, will advance reconciliation, and will include a network of proposed protected areas in Canada’s Arctic.

Canada launches new annual reporting series providing an overview of management activities in each of the 14 designated Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas. The reports are developed in collaboration with Inuit and First Nations partners, provincial governments and stakeholders.

2024

Canada closes the first and only known live coral reef in Pacific Canada to all commercial and recreational bottom-contact fisheries, including midwater trawl. Located in Finlayson Channel, the northern B.C. Lophelia Reef is also known by its Wakashan name: ̓áuc̓íwísuxv. This reef is globally unique and is culturally significant to the Kitasoo Xai’xais and Heiltsuk First Nations.

Canada issues a second Ministerial Order under the Oceans Act to maintain marine protection in Tuvaijuittuq for up to 5 more years. The new order ensures ongoing protection of this sensitive area off the northern coast of Ellesmere Island. This order is in place while Canada works with Inuit and northern partners to consider measures for long-term conservation of the area.

The Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Pacheedaht First Nation, Quatsino First Nation and Canada announce the designation of Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačx^wiqak – Tsig̱is as a Marine Protected Area (MPA). This large ecologically unique ocean area is now Canada’s largest MPA designated under the Oceans Act via Governor in Council. The MPA protects approximately 2.3% of Canada’s ocean.

Seventeen First Nations, Canada, the Province of B.C. and Coast Funds announce the signing and launch of the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence agreement. This is a historic milestone that will advance reconciliation and Indigenous-led marine conservation on Canada’s west coast. The initiative supports the implementation of the Northern Shelf Bioregion MPA Network Action Plan.

The Gully MPA celebrates its 20th anniversary and the Banc-des-Américains MPA celebrates its 5th anniversary.

Canada and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association seek to designate Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuaq as new MPAs by way of Ministerial Orders under the Oceans Act. Once issued, the Orders will freeze the footprint of activities in the areas for up to 5 years while Canada works with Inuit and northern partners as part of the SINAA Project Finance for Permanence agreement, to consider measures for long-term protection. The proposed Orders were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part 1, for a 30-day public comment period.

2023

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Canada, and Pew Charitable Trusts mark a significant milestone by reaching an Agreement in Principle. This agreement signals their shared commitment to working toward the Qikiqtani Regional Conservation Vision through the Qikiqtani Project Finance for Permanence agreement.

Canada unveils marine areas under consideration for conservation that continue the momentum toward 2025.

Canada jointly announces, alongside 15 First Nations, the endorsement of the MPA Network Action Plan for the Northern Shelf Bioregion and recognition of the first marine refuge within the network, Gwa̲xdlala/Nala̲xdlala in Knight Inlet on the coast of British Columbia, also known as Lull Bay and Hoeya Sound.

Canada jointly announces, alongside the Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Pacheedaht First Nation and Quatsino First Nation, progress on the proposed Tang.ɢwan — ḥačx^wiqak — Tsig̱is MPA, a large ecologically unique ocean area located off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Canada announces new details for its MPA Protection Standard, which will help safeguard areas of our oceans that need protection from the potentially harmful effects of industrial activities while providing greater consistency and clarity on prohibited activities in federal MPAs.

Canada (through Parks Canada Agency) announces a new policy to guide the establishment and management of national marine conservation areas (NMCAs), helping to advance the Government of Canada's goal to create ten new NMCAs.

Canada launches the new Canada Marine Planning Atlas (the Atlas), an interactive mapping tool that allows users to view and interact with data relevant to marine spatial planning, which will be a critical tool for coordinating management of ocean activities in Canada, including marine conservation.

2022

Canada and participating countries sign the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect 30% of the world's land and ocean space by 2030 in order to stem biodiversity loss (Target 3).

Canada releases updated guidance for federal marine OECMs that clarifies interim guidance released in 2016.

Prime Minister Trudeau announces up to $800 Million for up to 4 Indigenous-led conservation projects through a Project Finance for Permanence model in these areas:

Great Bear Sea (Northern Shelf Bioregion, British Columbia)
Northwest Territories
Qikiqtani Region (Nunavut)
Hudson Bay and Southwestern James Bay (Omushkego Homelands, Ontario and Nunavut)

Establishment of Eastern Canyons marine refuge (Scotian Shelf).

2021

Federal Budget 2021 allocates historic funding of nearly $1billion ($976.8 million) over five years to continue marine conservation efforts to conserve 25% of Canada's oceans by 2025.

Government of Canada unveils 5-point action plan to deliver on its 2025 target.

2020

Canada joins Global Ocean Alliance and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which advocates and provides support for the conservation of at least 30% of the world's oceans through the establishment of MPAs and OECMs by 2030.

2019

The mandate letter for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans stipulates that the Minister work with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to introduce a plan to conserve 25% of Canada's land and oceans by 2025, working towards 30% by 2030.

Canada surpasses its marine conservation target of 10% protection of marine and coastal areas, conserving 13.81% of Canada's ocean. This significant achievement is reached through considerable collaborative efforts with Indigenous Peoples, all levels of government, marine industries and stakeholders.

Establishment of the Tuvaijuittuq MPA, an area of 319 411 km², which contributes 5.55% towards Canada's marine conservation targets.

Amendments to the Oceans Act enabling the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to designate interim MPAs by Ministerial Order to provide protection to vulnerable areas while further scientific research and consultation take place. The Act is also modernized to align with other environmental legislation in terms of fines, punishments and enforcement provisions.

Adoption of a new Protection Standard for federal MPAs and a new Protection Standard for OECMs to better conserve sensitive and important parts of our oceans.

Establishment of 2 Oceans Act MPAs:

Banc-des-Américains MPA as the first MPA to be established under the Canada-Quebec Collaborative Agreement
Laurentian Channel MPA as the first MPA to apply Canada's new protection standards

Announcement of 8 new marine refuges in Howe Sound, between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

2018

Establishment of Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area off the northwest of Vancouver Island, as the first protected marine area established by Environment and Climate Change Canada under the Canada Wildlife Act.

Announcement of the Canada-Quebec Collaborative Agreement to Establish a Network of MPAs in Quebec.

2017

Announcement of 51 marine refuges; representing approximately 275,000 km² and 4.78% of conserved marine territory.