Canada surpasses marine conservation targets. Canada has announced that it has surpassed its marine conservation target of 10 percent protection of marine and coastal areas. This significant achievement was reached through considerable collaborative efforts with indigenous peoples, all levels of government, marine industries and stakeholders.
To date, Canada has established 14 MPAs under the Oceans Act, three National Marine Conservation Areas, one marine National Wildlife Area, and 59 marine refuges. These areas protect 13.81% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas.
Some milestones and achievements over the last year that contributed towards the target include:
- Establishment of the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area (MPA) on August 1st, 2019 via ministerial order. This MPA contributes 5.55 percent towards Canada’s marine conservation targets and encompasses an area of 319 411 km2.
- Amendments to the Oceans Act enabling the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to designate interim MPAs to provide protection to vulnerable areas while further scientific research and consultation take place. The Act has also been modernized to align with other environmental legislation in terms of fines, punishments, and enforcement provisions.
- Adoption of new protection standards for federal MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures to better conserve sensitive and important parts of our oceans.
- Establishment of 2 Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas
- 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.