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 the fishing industry 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 Canadians along with us as we explore the ocean and collect data that helps direct how best to protect it.

Although a great deal of progress has been made recently, less than 15 per cent of Canada’s ocean territory is protected. More needs to be done to ensure that future generations have healthy, abundant oceans.

Protect all seamounts off the coast of British Columbia

 

Underwater mountains, called seamounts, can be found off the coast of British Columbia. They are massive, fascinating and crucial to the health of the ocean. Everything from octopuses to rockfish are connected to these ecosystems and depend on them to thrive.

But their future is at risk. There is no permanent protection to ensure threats are kept out of these mountains, such as mining, bottom-contact fishing gear and lost gear that continues to cause damage to corals and sponges decades later.

Help protect the Northeast Pacific Seamounts, add your voice to our petition today.

  

Watch Highlights From the Central Coast of Brtitish Columbia Expedition 

 

Victories

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

April, 2019

Canadian government bans industrial activity in marine protected areas

Canada adopted new standards that ban industrial activities such as oil and gas, mining and destructive bottom-contact fishing activity in newly created Marine Protected Areas, bringing Canada in line with international best practices. In the past few years, Canada has protected more of its ocean, but within these areas, industrial activities, including oil and gas, were still permitted. Oceana Canada called on the government to implement stronger protection measures. The new standards help protect fragile habitats that provide nursery, spawning and feeding areas for marine wildlife from harmful practices.

Read the Press Release

Take Action

Protect all seamounts off the coast of British Columbia

Underwater mountains, called seamounts, can be found off the coast of British Columbia. They are massive, fascinating and crucial to the health of the ocean. Everything from octopuses to rockfish are connected to these ecosystems and depend on them to thrive.

But their future is at risk. There is no permanent protection to ensure threats are kept out of these mountains, such as mining, bottom-contact fishing gear and lost gear that continues to cause damage to corals and sponges decades later. Help protect the Northeast Pacific Seamounts, add your voice to our petition today.

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