Transcript Conservation Laws and Marine Protected Areas

Conserving Marine Areas
National Marine
Conservation Areas
(NMCA’s)
NMCAS:
Who’s in Charge?
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Depends on location of area.
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Parks Canada
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Within Nat. Parks and Historic Sites
Establishment of MPA’s
Other Public Lands
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You are!
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Conservation tasks
– Education
– Voting
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Private Lands
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Landowners
NMCA:
Why and What?
They are areas managed for sustainable use
and containing a smaller zone of high
protection-Why?
They may contain the sea floor, water column,
estuaries, islands, etc.
Protected from a variety of potentially harmful
practices (Drilling, dumping, mining,
overfishing etc.)
NMCA:
How?
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Identify Marine Areas
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Geological features (cliffs, beaches, etc)
Marine features (tides, ice, salinity, etc)
Biota (Plants, birds, fish, mammals)
Archaeologically and historically significant.
Then, based upon the standards above
make and area a candidate for listing as a
NMCA.
NMCA:
How?
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Selecting a site depends upon many factors
including…
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Importance for maintaining biodiversity
Critical habitat for endangered species
Exceptional natural/cultural features
Minimizing conflict with resource users
Threats to sustainability (i.e. protecting spawning
grounds)
Aboriginal claims and uses
NMCA:
How?
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Is creating a NMCA feasible?
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Based on a feasibility study…
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Requires the cooperation of other federal
departments/provincial/territorial governments
Local communities, regional stakeholders,
Aboriginal peoples.
Negotiate and agreement (amongst parties above)
Establishment!!!!
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Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act
Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s)
Who’s in Charge
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Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Users of the Resource (commercial and non
commercial)
Managed within a specific plan for that MPA
MPA’s:
Why and What?
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Areas established by the DFO to protect:
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Commercial and non-commercial fishery resources and
habitats
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Endangered marine species and their habitats
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Basin Head Irish moss
Unique habitats
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Gilbert Bay Cod
Endeavor Hydrothermal Vents (Pacific)
Highly diverse and productive areas
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Musquash Estuary
Why is protection of these things important???
NMCA vs. MPA:
What’re the main differences?
NMCA
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Run by Parks Canada
Focuses on cultural and
historical sites
Focus include other species
Often sites are established
for education and enjoyment
Think: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (National Wildlife
Refuges)
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MPA
Run by Canada’s DFO
Focus: Commercial and
Non commercial fishery
resources and habitats
Endangered marine species
Unique habitats and those
of high diversity and prod.
Think: U.S.’s NOAA NMFS
Marine Wildlife Areas (MWA’s):
Who’s in Charge?
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Environment Canada
Established as an amendment to the Canada
Wildlife Act, these areas are part of the
greater National Wildlife Areas in Canada.
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Extended Canadian protection to 200 naut. Miles
From shore.
Offshore and coastal habitats include areas
where migratory birds may feed, molt, overnight,
Ice flows, etc.