Protect Marine Habitat - Oceana Canada

Protect Marine Habitat

Protecting ocean ecosystems is vital for the health of our planet

Protecting habitat allows fish and other marine life to flourish

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The Campaign

Through exploration and research, we can better understand and protect the ocean.

Oceana Canada partners with researchers, non-governmental organizations, the federal government, Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities to study sensitive marine habitats and advocate for their protection. This is essential for the future of our planet: it supports healthy, productive ecosystems and the recovery of depleted fish populations that coastal communities depend on.

Since 2017, Oceana Canada has been conducting expeditions that combine science, technology, community engagement and advocacy with the wonder of ocean exploration. Using technology such as livestreaming, we bring people from across Canada along with us to study marine life, gathering data that helps direct how best to protect the ocean.

SIGN THE PETITION: TELL THE GOVERNMENT YOU SUPPORT PERMANENT PROTECTION OF ESSENTIAL MARINE HABITATS >>

Every signature shows support for protecting the ocean’s most vulnerable life — from fragile corals that took centuries to grow to endangered whales, sharks, and fish populations fighting to survive.  

Marine habitat protection is essential to the health of Canada’s oceans, climate and coastal economy.  By taking bold action now to safeguard at least 30% of our ocean, Canada can deliver on its global promise, protect threatened habitats, and secure a thriving ocean legacy for future generations. 

Tell the Government of Canada you support bold action to permanently protect essential marine habitats and deliver on our 30×30 promise.>>

Victories

From coast to coast, Oceana Canada has helped secure protection for more than 134,000 km² of ocean habitat — over 10% of Canada’s protected marine areas.

July, 2024

Underwater Mountains off the Coast of B.C. Now Permanently Protected

Canada has designated 133,017km2 of underwater mountains, known as seamounts, off the West Coast of Vancouver Island as its newest and largest Marine Protected Area (MPA).  Named Tang. ɢwan · ḥačxʷiqak · Tsig̱is, this new MPA will be co-managed by the Haida, Nuu-chah-nulth, Pacheedaht and Quatsino First Nations. The MPA covers 2.31% of Canada’s marine area, increasing the total protection of the ocean off the coast of Canada to more than 15.54%. Oceana Canada has been advocating for the protection of these vital underwater ecosystems since 2018 including conducting an expedition with several partners to better understand this area and contribute to its protection. The Tang. ɢwan · ḥačxʷiqak · Tsig̱is MPA will prevent activities such as bottom-contact fishing and dumping, safeguarding centuries-old forests of red tree corals, glass sponges, and the myriad species that depend on these habitats.

Find out more about seamounts of British Columbia

 

Read the Press Release

March, 2019

Banc-des-Américains, a submarine bank off of Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula, designated as a Marine Protected Area

The Government of Canada established a 1,000 square kilometer Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence called the Banc-des-Américains. This new MPA protects one of Canada’s most diverse and productive marine areas. In 2017, Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada partnered to conduct an expedition in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, including the Banc-des-Américains. The MPA conserves habitat important for many species, including habitat-forming corals and sponges, forage fishes like capelin and herring and commercially important species, such as crab and shrimp and the iconic and highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Read the Press Release

Take Action

SUPPORT MARINE HABITAT PROTECTION IN CANADA

Canada has shown strong leadership by committing to protect 30% of its ocean by 2030. With more than 15% already safeguarded, we’re halfway there — but reaching this goal will take ambition and public support.

Tell the Government of Canada you support bold action to permanently protect essential marine habitats and deliver on our 30x30 promise.

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FEATURED CAMPAIGN

Zero-Waste World Cup in 2026

Oceana Canada is working with stadiums, beverage companies, and governments to make the FIFA World Cup 26TM in Canada the greenest games yet. Ditching the landfill-bound, single-use cups for ones that can be reused again and again means sustainability can become a permanent part of our stadiums, long after the final whistle.

Learn More

CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS

Stop Plastic Pollution

Restore Capelin Abundance

Protect North Atlantic Right Whales

Rebuild Ocean Abundance

Protect Marine Habitat

Contact

Oceana Canada Headquarters
18 King Street East, Suite 505
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4

Phone: +1 (416) 583-2350
Email: info@oceana.ca

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Land Acknowledgement

Oceana Canada operates in many regions across Canada. From coast to coast to coast, we acknowledge the ancestral and unceded territory of all the Inuit, Métis, and First Nations communities that call this land home, and we strive for our work to be done in a spirit of collaboration and reconciliation.

Read Our Mission and Vision

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We work every day to protect marine life and important habitat – but that work wouldn’t be possible without you.

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