Canada Announces New Standards for Protecting Our Oceans

MONTRÉAL, April 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada is an ocean nation. With the longest coastline in the world, Canadians rely on healthy and sustainable oceans. Marine ecosystems support good jobs as well as a vast amount of marine biodiversity including fish, whales and sea birds. That is why the Government of Canada is taking action to ensure the conservation and long-term protection of our oceans.

Last year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada appointed an independent National Advisory Panel of experts to consult Canadians about marine protection standards. Following extensive consultations in all regions of the country, the Panel delivered its report to the Government on September 26, 2018.

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced that the Government of Canada will be adopting new standards to strengthen the conservation and protection of important marine habitat.

As recommended by the Panel, Canada's approach to our marine conservation networks going forward will include two distinct forms of protection – marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, such as marine refuges.

Marine protected areas will function somewhat like national parks and will provide a high level of environmental protection by prohibiting four industrial activities within all of these areas: oil and gas activities, mining, dumping and bottom trawling. This approach is consistent with the recommendations from the National Advisory Panel on Marine Protected Area Standards.

With respect to other effective area-based conservation measures, including marine refuges, economic activities within these areas will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. These will be allowed if they are consistent with the conservation objectives of that specific area. This standard is also in accord with the National Advisory Panel's recommendations to the Government. This recommendation was crafted to ensure that economic activities that are not harmful to the things being protected in a specific area can and should continue.

However, the Government of Canada's new standards regarding marine refuges and other effective conservation area-based measures go beyond the National Advisory Panel's recommendation in one respect. Our new standard provides that any areas within a marine refuge (or any other effective conservation area-based measure) in which oil and gas extraction takes place will not be counted towards Canada's international marine conservation target.

The approach being announced today is a balanced one – an approach that will provide high levels of environmental protection while also recognizing and providing for the continuation of economic activities that are not harmful to conservation objectives. This approach recognizes that, in the modern world, environmental sustainability and economic progress can go hand in hand. The new standards being announced today will provide the type of strong protections Canadians wish to see in areas of ecological significance. They will also provide enhanced clarity and certainty for fish harvesters and other industry stakeholders.

Going forward, the Government of Canada will work in collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples and stakeholders as we look to evolve and grow our existing marine conservation networks.

Today, Minister Wilkinson also announced the designation of the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area off the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The area will be closed to all oil and gas activity and is the first to apply the new protection standards. This new marine protected area is Canada's largest established under the Oceans Act to date and will help to conserve an extraordinary range of marine habitats and species, including sensitive seafloor corals. It also provides additional protection to the endangered North Atlantic right whale. This brings Canada's protected ocean spaces to 8.27% - a significant increase from less than 1% in 2015. This announcement brings Canada one step closer to achieving our international marine conservation target of 10% by 2020.

Quotes

"Canadians expect us to take action to protect unique ocean ecosystems while  ensuring coastal communities thrive. The new standards for marine conservation we are announcing today will provide for high levels of environmental protection in a manner that is sensitive to important economic actors such as fish harvesters."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"Canada is an oceans country. We are the stewards of the longest coastline in the world. Protecting Canada's nature and the health of our oceans benefits our communities, our ecosystems, and our wildlife."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• Marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures are tools that play an important role in maintaining sustainable fish stocks, as well as protecting ecologically significant habitats for marine mammals and other species.
• In federal marine protected areas, the new standards will prohibit the following four industrial activities: oil and gas activities, mining, dumping and bottom trawling.
• The new protection standards for marine protected areas will be applied to all federal marine protected areas including Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, National Marine Conservation Areas established by Parks Canada, and marine National Wildlife Areas and marine portions of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries established by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
• The designation of the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area provides an additional 11,580 km² of protection to Canada's oceans.
• The Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area is the first conservation area to apply Canada's new protection standards. Therefore, oil and gas activities, as well as mining, dumping, and bottom trawling is prohibited in the entirety of the area.
• The proposed Regulations for the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area were pre-published on June 24, 2017, launching a public consultation period. The Department received tens of thousands of comments, which were taken into consideration when drafting the final regulations for the area, along with new scientific information and the recommendations from the National Advisory Panel.
• For other effective area-based conservation measures, such as marine refuges, activities will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Activities may be allowed to proceed if they do not pose a risk to the conservation objectives of the area.
• Proposed industrial activities in marine refuges will continue to be subject to Canada's environmental assessment rules.
• The National Advisory Panel on Marine Protected Area Standards was tasked with providing guidance on categories and standards for all federal marine protected areas and Canada's other effective area-based conservation measures, including marine refuges.

Related products

The Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area (Backgrounder)
New Standards to Protect Canada's Oceans (Backgrounder)

Backgrounder

Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has designated the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area (MPA) to help safeguard the area's unique marine environment. The establishment of this new MPA is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to conserving 10% of Canada's marine and coastal areas by 2020.

This Laurentian Channel MPA represents an additional 11,580 km² of protected ocean space off the southwest coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, which contributes approximately 0.2% to Canada's marine conservation target. This makes the Laurentian Channel the largest MPA under the Oceans Act to date. The Laurentian Channel has many sensitive seafloor habitats, including areas with some of the highest concentrations of corals known as sea pens within the waters around Newfoundland and Labrador. The area provides important habitat to a variety of marine species, including a large population of black dogfish and juvenile smooth skate, as well as two species at risk, the Northern wolffish and the Leatherback sea turtle. Porbeagle sharks seasonally move into and reside within the MPA, and the MPA encompasses one of only two known porbeagle shark mating grounds in the Northwest Atlantic. The Laurentian Channel MPA also includes important feeding grounds and migration routes into and out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At least 20 species of cetaceans have been observed in the area as well, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

The primary objective of the Laurentian Channel MPA is to conserve biodiversity through the protection of key species and their habitats, ecosystem structure and function, and scientific research. The MPA Regulations aim to protect biodiversity in the Laurentian Channel by reducing risk and harm posed by human activities to aquatic species and habitats in the area. The designation of the Laurentian Channel MPA will also protect fish and their habitat within the designated area, which may help to replenish depleted fish stocks. Fish populations that increase in the MPA may spill over into surrounding areas, where fishing can continue.

The establishment of the Laurentian Channel MPA was also part of the negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador surrounding the Atlantic Accord. Both governments agreed to restrict oil and gas activities within the boundaries of the Laurentian Channel MPA. They also agreed to work together to plan the use of the offshore area to develop oil and gas resources and protect marine biodiversity.

Details of Allowed and Prohibited Activities

The Laurentian Channel MPA is the first MPA that applies Canada's new protection standards. Therefore, oil and gas activities, including seismic surveys, as well as mining, dumping, and bottom trawling are prohibited in the entirety of the area. The MPA is also the first to prohibit all commercial and recreational fishing throughout the designated area. The Regulations establish two management zones that provide varying levels of protection in the MPA, offering the most stringent protection to areas that need it most. Together these zones will conserve and protect the biological diversity and productivity of the Laurentian Channel MPA. In the Core Protection Zone, the only activities allowed are those for public safety and national security; Indigenous food, social, and ceremonial fisheries; and marine navigation activities, except for anchoring. In the Adaptive Management Zone, activities other such as anchoring, submarine cable installation, and scientific research may be permitted if they do not impact the conservation objectives of the MPA.

Designating a Marine Protected Area

The area was initially identified as ecologically and biologically significant through a peer-reviewed science process led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and was selected for protection in 2010 following extensive public consultation. Knowledge of the area was then further refined through ecological assessments, consideration of traditional and local knowledge, consultation, and socio-economic analysis. An advisory committee composed of representatives from industry, academia, environmental groups, provincial and federal governments, and Indigenous organizations participated in the development of the conservation objectives, management measures, and the delineation of the MPA boundaries and zones. Through the Advisory Committee, all stakeholders and Indigenous partners will continue to have direct involvement in the ongoing management of the area.

The Regulations to establish the Laurentian Channel MPA were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on June 24, 2017, launching a 30-day public consultation period. More than 70, 000 comments received during that period, along with new scientific information and the recommendations from the National Advisory Panel on MPA Standards were taken into consideration when drafting the final regulations for the area. 

Committed to Marine Protected Areas and Our Oceans

This new MPA demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to increasing environmental protection of Canada's oceans. Budget 2016 included $123.7 million over five years to support marine conservation activities, including the designation of new MPAs under the Oceans Act and continuing work on developing conservation networks across Canada.

Through this investment, the Government of Canada has worked with numerous partners to increase protection of Canada's oceans to 5% in 2017. We reached this achievement in October 2017 and continue to work with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous peoples, and environmental and industry stakeholders to reach our 10% commitment by 2020.

Backgrounder

New Standards to Protect Canada's Oceans

Last year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada appointed an independent National Advisory Panel to consult with Canadians about marine protection standards. Following extensive consultations across the country, the Panel delivered its report to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, on September 26, 2018. Based on the recommendations by the Panel, the Government of Canada has adopted a new approach to marine conservation, including protection standards to strengthen the conservation of our oceans.

As part of this approach, the Government of Canada will continue to grow and evolve marine conservation networks across Canada. These networks will be made up of two distinct forms of protection - marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area based conservation measures, including marine refuges. Canada's MPAs will now function similar to our national parks, providing a high level of environmental protection by including new standards that prohibit four key industrial activities: oil and gas activities, mining, dumping and bottom trawling. With respect to other effective area based conservation measures, including marine refuges, activities within these areas will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will be allowed if they are consistent with the conservation objectives of the specific area. Both of these standards are in accordance with the National Advisory Panel's recommendations, as well as with international guidance.

This is a balanced approach that will provide high levels of environmental protection, while also recognizing and allowing for economic activities that are not harmful to sensitive areas of our oceans to continue to take place. The new standards also provide enhanced clarity and certainty for fish harvesters and other industry stakeholders.

Marine Protected Areas
MPAs are parts of the ocean that legally protect a range of species, habitats and features from the impacts of a variety of activities, including fishing. Based on the Panel's recommendations, the new protection standard for MPAs will prohibit four industrial activities in all new federal MPAs: oil and gas activities; mining; dumping; and bottom trawling.

Specifications

• The prohibition on bottom trawling applies to mobile bottom-contacting gear used for commercial and recreational purposes, including otter trawls, beam trawls, shrimp trawls, hydraulic clam dredges, and scallop dredges.
• All other activities, including fishing that does not use bottom-contacting gear, will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure they do not pose a risk to the conservation objectives of the MPA.
• Bottom-contacting gear for Indigenous food, social, and ceremonial purposes and for scientific research purposes will be allowed within MPA where it does not pose a significant risk to the MPA's conservation objectives.

Scope of application
To help conserve and protect marine biodiversity the new protection standard will be applied to all federal MPAs, including:

• Oceans Act MPAs established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada;
• National Marine Conservation Areas established by Parks Canada;
• Marine National Wildlife Areas; and
• Marine portions of National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries established by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Addressing prohibited activities in existing MPAs and impacts on our marine conservation target
In the short term, existing MPAs where there are oil and gas licences or where bottom trawling is currently authorized will continue to count towards our international marine conservation target. Canada's MPAs are developed in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders and further analysis and consultation is required before making any significant changes to the management of existing MPAs. Therefore, all existing MPAs will be reviewed as part of their regular management review cycle.

In the case of an existing MPA overlapping with an area where there is an oil and gas licence or permit, as part of that MPA's regular management review cycle, we will work with our partners to consider adopting the new protection standard within the MPA. If an agreement is reached, the regulations for the MPA will be amended to prohibit oil and gas activity. If an agreement cannot be achieved, the MPA boundaries will remain unchanged but the area overlapping with the licence or permit area would no longer be counted towards Canada's marine conservation targets.

For areas where bottom-contacting gear is currently authorized, we will re-evaluate the activity to determine if it is consistent with the specific MPA's conservation objectives. If it is not, the MPA regulations will be amended following consultation with partners and stakeholders.

Marine Refuges
Marine refuges are another tool we use to conserve our oceans. They offer more targeted protection to species and their habitat from the impacts of fishing. As part of the Panel's recommendations, the Government of Canada has adopted a new protection standard for other effective area based conservation measures, including marine refuges.

This standard will assess all activities on a case-by-case basis. Some activities will be allowed if they are consistent with the conservation objectives of a specific area. Before any proposed activity can take place, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard will need to be satisfied that any risks to the area have been avoided or mitigated effectively.

Impacts on our marine conservation target
Going forward, if there are oil and gas licenses or permits authorized in a marine refuge but no extraction is taking place, the overlap area will continue to count toward our marine conservation target. Once oil and gas extraction begins, the overlap area will no longer count toward our target.

Related links

• Government's Response to the National Advisory Panel Report
• National Advisory Panel on Marine Protected Area Standards

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada

Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-548-7863, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca