Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (fr|zones de protection marine) are zones within Canadian waters where the marine environment receives a high level of environmental protection. Marine Protected Areas are governed by the Oceans Act of 1996 and administered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.[1] The federal government of Canada has committed to protecting 25% of its oceans as Marine Protected Areas by the year 2025, and a further 5% (30% of the ocean area of the Exclusive Economic Zone) by 2030.[2]
On 25 April 2019, new standards were adopted for marine protected areas that prohibit four industrial activities: oil and gas activities, mining, dumping, and bottom trawling. These standards do not retroactively void existing oil and gas licenses, or void previously approved bottom trawling activities. Instead, the department will assess each issue of these now prohibited activities on a case-by-case basis to ensure they're in line with the conservation objectives of the specific area.[3] However, designation as a Marine Protected Area does not automatically prohibit fishing and other activities. Activities within these areas are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are permitted if they are consistent with the conservation objectives of the specific area.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada collaborates with interested and affected parties to provide input into the establishment of a marine protected area. When an area is under consideration to become a marine protected area, it is identified as an Area of Interest. If further study is required to develop an appropriate long-term conservation approach, it is identified as a Study Area.[4]
The department determines the viability of a proposal based upon the ecological, biophysical, social, cultural, and economic aspects of the area. Based on the overview and assessment reports, the conservation objectives of the proposed MPA are elaborated upon and the regulatory measures are developed. The proposal is then published in Canada Gazette, Part I for public comment, at which point regulations may be modified to reflect comments received. Once finalized, official MPA designation occurs when its regulations are published in Canada Gazette, Part II.[4]
As of June 2023, there were 14 Marine Protected Areas covering an area of approximately 351514km2, or about 6% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas.[5]
| scope=col width=14% | Name | scope=col width=11% | Location | scope=col width=7%data-sort-type=isoDate | Established | scope=col width=7% | Area (km2) | scope=col width=9% | Natural region | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam | 2016 | 2,358 | Western Arctic | Protects ecologically important habitats for Arctic char, cod, beluga and bowhead whales, ringed and bearded seals, polar bears, and numerous sea birds.[6] | ||||||
| Banc-des-Américains | 2019 | 1,000 | Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence | Protects the benthic and pelagic ecosystems of an underwater ridge extending southeast from Cap Gaspé. | ||||||
| Basin Head | 2005 | 9 | Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence | Protects an underwater ecosystem supporting Irish moss | ||||||
| Eastport | 2005 | 2 | Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves | Protects an area of high biological productivity and the spawning grounds of lobster fish.[7] | ||||||
| Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents | 2003 | 97 | Offshore Pacific | Protects a collection of hydrothermal vents nestled within the Juan de Fuca Ridge. | ||||||
| Gilbert Bay | 2005 | 60 | Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves | Protects a genetically unique resident population of Atlantic cod known as "Gilbert Bay cod".[8] | ||||||
| 2004 | 2,363 | Scotian Shelf | Protects a deep submarine canyon ecosystem and endangered cetacean populations in the area. | |||||||
| Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs | 2017 | 2,410 | Northern Shelf | Protects four glass sponge reefs that were the first discovered living specimens and are the largest glass sponge reefs in the world. | ||||||
| Laurentian Channel | 2019 | 11,580 | Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves | Protects a variety of endangered species within the channel. | ||||||
| Musquash Estuary | 2006 | 7 | Scotian Shelf | Protects the largest ecologically-intact salt marsh in the Bay of Fundy. | ||||||
| Saint Anns Bank | 2017 | 4,364 | Scotian Shelf | Protects a region of high biodiversity and biological productivity off the east coast of Cape Breton Island. | ||||||
| SGaan Kinghlas-Bowie Seamount | 2008 | 6,103 | Offshore Pacific | Protects a unique, biologically diverse marine community of deep sea, subtidal, and intertidal species.[9] | ||||||
| Tarium Niryutait | 2010 | 1,750 | Western Arctic | Protects a dynamic, highly productive, and biologically diverse marine ecosystem located within the outer reaches of the Mackenzie River delta.[10] | ||||||
| Tuvaijuittuq | 2019 | 319,411 | Arctic Basin and Arctic Archipelago | Protects a diverse marine ecosystem dependent on thick, multi-year pack ice created by the circulation of the Beaufort Gyre.[11] |
| Name | Location | Area (km2) | Natural region | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Shore Islands | 2,000 | Scotian Shelf | A large, highly productive, and ecologically intact stretch of coastline between the villages of Marie Joseph and Jeddore.[12] | ||
| Fundian Channel-Browns Bank | 7,200 | Scotian Shelf | Area hosting diverse benthic habitats and depleted fish species.[13] | ||
| Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence | TBD[14] | Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence | |||
| Race Rocks (XwaYeN) | 2 | Southern Shelf | [15] | ||
| 6,000 | Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence | Currently undergoing additional studies to develop an appropriate long-term conservation approach. | |||
| Shediac Valley | 1,530 | Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence | Area of high biological productivity and a key habitat for various fish species.[16] | ||
| Southampton Island | 93,087 | Hudson Complex | Area of high biological productivity.[17] | ||
| Tang.ɢwan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is | 133,019 | Offshore Pacific | To protect seamounts and hydrothermal vents. [18] |