Ottawa – On the occasion of World Oceans Day, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, issued the following statement:
“Today, Canada celebrates World Oceans Day. Canada’s Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans are an integral part of our identity as a nation. They are central to the way of life and livelihoods of many communities, and are valued as an essential resource by all Canadians. World Oceans Day reminds us of the role that we all play in conserving and protecting this very important resource.
The Government of Canada is committed to conserving our oceans and marine environments. One of the ways we are doing this is by establishing a national network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by the end of 2012. The first step in this process is the identification of an Area of Interest (AOI) and today, I am very pleased to announce two new Areas of Interest for potential designation as Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act. The first is the Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound glass sponge reefs within the Pacific North Coast. The second is an area rich in biodiversity within the Laurentian Channel off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On behalf of my colleague, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, I am also very pleased to announce three new National Wildlife Areas in Nunavut Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area (Isabella Bay), the Akpait National Wildlife Area, and the Qaqulluit National Wildlife Area.
The identification of these Areas of Interest and the new National Wildlife Areas demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to conserving and protecting sensitive land, water, and species at risk. Our government’s commitment to preserving our natural environment and that ocean resources thrive, will benefit our communities and ocean users.
We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that future generations of Canadians inherit healthy oceans and ocean resources, and that our collective use of these resources is sustainable. As outlined in our new publication, ‘Spotlight on Marine Protected Areas’, much progress has already been made. Developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and the Parks Canada Agency in collaboration with provincial and territorial government partners, this report celebrates Canada’s progress to date in protecting the marine environment through protected areas in Canada’s three oceans and Great Lakes.
I encourage Canadians to visit the new Government of Canada Oceans Portal at www.oceans.info.gc.ca for a copy of the Spotlight on Marine Protected Areas report as well as more information on how we are managing our oceans and what it means for you and your community. Let’s all take the opportunity today to think about what we can do to make a difference in protecting and conserving our sensitive marine and land environments.”
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For more information:
Nelson Kalil
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
