Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Receives Highest Level of Federal Protection

National Marine Conservation Area Legislation receives Royal Assent

OTTAWA, June 24, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced Royal Assent of the Bill to establish the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area – making it one of the world's largest freshwater marine protected area.

The Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area comprises more than 10,000 square kilometres of the lake, and includes lakebed, islands and shore lands. Its creation will also contribute to the local economy by enhancing tourism.

National marine conservation areas are part of Canada's growing number of natural heritage sites. Under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada, marine conservation areas balance environmental protection with responsible economic activity.  They safeguard key elements of the ecosystem while providing lasting benefits to local coastal communities who depend on marine industries such as commercial fishing, sport fishing, recreational boating and shipping.

As a legacy to future generations, national marine conservation areas provide opportunities to learn about and experience these exceptional places and the cultures of the people who live there. First Nations, Métis and local communities have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the rugged beauty of Lake Superior's extraordinary natural area and increasing its use for recreational purposes. The Government of Canada will continue to work with communities and Aboriginal partners in order to protect these special places and share their culture and their stories.

The creation of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area contributes to Canada's National Conservation Plan with concrete action to conserve Canada's lands and waters and connect Canadians to nature.

Quick Facts

• Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world.
• The boundaries of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area extend from Thunder Cape at the tip of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in the west, to Bottle Point just east of Terrace Bay, and south to the Canada-U.S. boundary.
• Fossils depicting the beginnings of life on earth dating back some 2.1 billion years are found in the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.
• Parks Canada's investments in the region have supported the communities in the development and promotion of various tourism initiatives and infrastructure.

Quotes

"The creation of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area is an example of our Government's leadership in conservation and protecting Canada's rich natural heritage. With Lake Superior – in addition to the creation of Qausuittuq, Nááts'ihch'oh and Ukkusiksalik national parks and Rouge National Urban Park – this has been one of the greatest periods of conservation in Canada's history."
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"The establishment of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area clearly demonstrates our Government's commitment to environmental protection. Northern Ontarians, and indeed all Canadians, will benefit from the protection of Lake Superior."
The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Related Product

Backgrounder: Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area

Associated Links

News Release: Harper Government introducing Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Act

www.parkscanada.gc.ca/superior

SOURCE Parks Canada

Jonathan Lefebvre, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 1-855-862-1812, [email protected]