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What
is a Marine Protected Area?
According
to the Canadian Oceans
Act, a marine protected area is a coastal or oceanic area which
is given special status in order to protect and conserve the plants
and animals that live within it. Worldwide, there are more than
1,300 marine protected areas, although they may be known by different
names such as marine reserves, marine sanctuaries or marine conservation
areas.
Canada's
oceans are home to an incredible diversity of marine life. However,
important marine ecosystems are being threatened by overfishing,
pollution and other human activities. To help protect critical species
and habitats, Canada's Oceans Act authorizes the establishment of
a national network of Marine Protected Areas.
The
1997 Oceans Act allows the Minister
of Fisheries and Oceans to coordinate federal involvement in
all issues relating to our oceans. The Act requires the Minister
to develop a National Strategy for Oceans Management. This Strategy
requires that Fisheries and Oceans Canada coordinate a federal marine
protected area program that involves three federal departments -
Parks Canada, Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Each department is responsible for establishing protected marine
areas. The Oceans Act also provides the Minister with the authority
to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The
goals of one Marine Protected Area could be very different from
the goals of another. For example, the objective of one MPA might
be to protect an endangered or threatened species and its habitat.
The aim of another could be to preserve an area of high biodiversity.
Within an MPA at the national level, no specific activities are
prohibited. However, in B.C., all marine protected areas, including
MPAs, at minimum prohibit ocean dumping, dredging and the exploration
for, or development of, non-renewable resources. How an MPA is used
depends on why the area is being protected. This will be decided
in collaboration with the people who use the area. Levels of protection
can vary greatly. For example, one may allow fishing, while another
could be a strict "no take" zone.
The
development of the strategy for Marine Protected Areas is the result
of years of cooperation between government, industry, conservation
groups and researchers, including the Vancouver Aquarium Marine
Science Centre. The Aquarium's President, Dr. John Nightingale was
a member of the Minister's Advisory Council during the development
of Canada's Oceans Strategy. Countless forums and workshops were
also held during the process. The Aquarium's Dr. Jeff Marliave,
VP of Marine Science, was a key participant at several of these
consultations, some of which were hosted at the Aquarium.
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No
official MPAs have yet been approved under the Oceans Act. In 1998,
four pilot MPAs were announced in B.C.: Gabriola Passage, Race Rocks,
the Bowie Seamount and the Endeavour Hot Vents. Extensive consultations
with First Nations, researchers, conservation and interest groups
and the public are currently being conducted in order to develop
management strategies for these areas.
Sources:
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Next:
Where do Marine Protected Areas Exist in
Canada?
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