08/06/2005 – Geoff Regan,
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and Stéphane
Dion, Minister of the Environment, today released
the Federal Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Strategy.
The Strategy is a key deliverable of Canada’s
Oceans Strategy and Canada’s Oceans Action
Plan, which was announced on May 27, 2005.
"The Federal Marine Protected Areas
Strategy was outlined in broad strokes in
the Oceans Action Plan," said Minister
Regan. "Now, on World Oceans Day, we’re
putting the OAP into action. This Strategy
will help us develop a coordinated federal
approach to establish a comprehensive network
of national marine protected areas, as well
as interact more effectively with Canadians."
"It is fitting that we are able to release
the Marine Protected Areas Strategy during
the Canadian Environment Week, as this strategy
is a key step in ensuring the future health
of Canada's ocean ecosystems," said Minister
Dion. "This Strategy marks the beginning
of forward-looking, national discussions on
the details of how, and where, we go about
building a world-leading marine protected
areas network that all Canadians, now and
in the future, can be proud of."
"Canadians care deeply about our oceans’
future," said, David McGuinty, Member
of Parliament, Ottawa-South, representing
Minister Dion at the announcement. "They
expect their government to protect this future,
and they want a role in the decisions being
made about this future. In my mind, this is
the most significant aspect of both the Oceans
Action Plan and the Marine Protected Areas
Strategy. Both initiatives are founded on
the premise that Canadians deserve a say in
the future of their oceans."
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment
Canada and Parks Canada each have a mandate
to establish and manage marine protected areas.
The Marine Protected Areas Strategy reflects
a new and innovative approach toward planning
for a network of marine protected areas in
Canada, which will contribute to the improved
health, integrity and productivity of our
ocean ecosystems. It will involve:
natural and social science research,
ongoing management and enforcement of specific
marine protected areas, and consultations
with Canadians and stakeholders, including
provinces, territories, First Nations and
mandated Aboriginal organizations.
The building of an ecologically linked marine
protected areas network will also contribute
to the conservation and protection of species
at risk and will help support the implementation
of Canada’s Species at Risk Act. Marine protected
areas as conservation tools can be applied
to the mandatory protection of critical habitats
described in species recovery strategies and
action plans.
