Young people from all nations and backgrounds play important leadership roles in marine protected areas and ocean conservation. From the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Marseilles to the more recent United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, young professionals are leaning into the conversation and taking action to protect the world ocean.
The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, will announce a partnership with Ocean Wise that will amplify youth voices at the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) which takes place next month in Vancouver. Minister Murray will be joined by representatives from the IMPAC5 Secretariat and Ocean Wise.
Canada’s oceans and waterways are home to diverse ecosystems that play an important role in the health of Canadians and the environment. Climate change, pollution and shipping activities can threaten coastal and marine life. Through Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is increasing protections and further preserving these important coastal and marine ecosystems. The former Coastal Restoration Fund had an overwhelming amount of interest which underscored the need to continue funding projects to help restore the ecosystems of Canada’s coasts.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada supports external research to develop monitoring tools, plans, methods and guidance to help better understand how marine conservation areas are affected by environmental changes, and to build scientific capacity with Indigenous groups to increase leadership and participation in marine conservation.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Oceans Management Contribution Program offers $145 million over 5 years to support outreach, monitoring and stewardship, and capacity building initiatives to achieve Canada's commitment to marine conservation targets. The funding is for national projects as well as projects that focus on regional collaboration with key partners across the country.
From feeding our families and supporting important industries, to housing diverse species, habitats and ecosystems, our oceans connect us all. Now more than ever, we are seeing the impact that climate change and biodiversity loss has on our marine spaces. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to conserving and protecting our oceans now, and for future generations.
Managing fisheries requires a robust, science-based approach to regenerate, grow, and conserve Canadian and global fish populations for future generations.
Montreal, Quebec – The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray will announce funding for multiple programs that help support ocean restoration, conservation and research activities across Canada.
On November 16, 2022, the British Columbia (B.C.) Provincial Court found Da Zhou, Zhao Chen, and Ngai Chau guilty of significant violations under the Fisheries Act, including the obstruction of justice and violations of recreational fishing regulations involving rockfish and lingcod. The Honourable Justice Mrozinski delivered her sentence by prohibiting the three men from fishing for a year. She also ordered them to pay a total of $17,500 in combined fines and instructed that all of the defendants’ associated gear involved in the violations, including rods, reels, and lures, at an estimated value of $1,000, be forfeited to the Crown.
