Marine Protected Areas across Canada
There are currently 16 Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across Canada, comprising over 600,000 km2 or roughly 10% of Canada's marine and coastal areas. MPAs contribute to a healthy marine environment and offer a nature-based solution to address the impacts of climate change by protecting marine ecosystems, their habitats and species. MPAs also contribute to Canadian culture while supporting the economic prosperity of local economies and coastal communities.
Ringed seal in the Canadian Arctic © DFO, RJ Stewart.
| MPA name | Year established | Size in km² |
|---|---|---|
| Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam (Ung-u-niak-via Ni-kig-e-um) | 2016 | 2,358 |
| Qikiqtait | 2026 | 42,700 |
| Sarvarjuaq | 2026 | 73,700 |
| Tarium Niryutait | 2010 | 1,750 |
| TuvaijuittuqFootnote 1 | 2019 | 319,411 |
An Atlantic rock crab surrounded by sea strawberry coral © DFO, Mr. Longpré.
| MPA name | Year established | Size in km² |
|---|---|---|
| Banc-des-Américains | 2019 | 1,000 |
| Basin Head | 2005 | 9 |
| Eastport | 2005 | 2 |
| Gilbert Bay | 2005 | 60 |
| The Gully | 2004 | 2,363 |
| Laurentian Channel | 2019 | 11,580 |
| Musquash Estuary | 2006 | 7 |
| St. Anns Bank | 2017 | 4,364 |
A wolf-eel surrounded by aggregating anemones and algae at the SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount MPA © DFO.
| MPA name | Year established | Size in km² |
|---|---|---|
| Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs | 2017 | 2,410 |
| SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount | 2008 | 6,103 |
| Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is | 2024 | 133,017 |
| MPA name | Year archived |
|---|---|
| Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Footnote 2 | 2024 |
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