Oceans

New Brunswick is surrounded on 3 sides by water. What happens in the oceans can affect us here on land.

In this section

Bay of Fundy
CPAWS is encouraging the federal government to speed up action on protecting our oceans. This includes adding new marine protected areas in the internationally important Bay of Fundy. We believe there is a need to ensure protection into the future for the values that were highlighted by the Bay of Fundy’s candidacy as one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of Nature.
Shediac Valley Marine Protected Area
On June 7, 2011, CPAWS welcomed the announcement by Keith Ashfield, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, of an Area of Interest for a new Marine Protected Area in Shediac Valley in the Northumberland Strait off New Brunswick`s northeast coast.

What are Marine Protected areas?

CPAWS defines marine protected areas (orr MPAs) as areas legally designated to provide long-term protection of marine ecosystems, processes, habitats and species including marine biodiversity, and which can contribute to the restoration and replenishment of resources for social, economic and cultural enrichment.  In general terms, this means that the area, from the surface to the bottom, is protected from some activities which may have negative effects on the area.

At present, Canada has declared 8 MPAs and has another 8 under consideration.  Information on these can be found at the website for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.  In New Brunswick, we have the Musquash Estuary MPA declared, and Shediac Valley MPA proposed.

Why should we have MPAs?

Rivers and oceans are as susceptible to damage from human activities as our land.  Whether it is from pollution, overharvesting of fish or other sea-life, natural resource extraction and development, or climate change, the end result is the degradation of natural ecosystems and the possible extinction of species.  Protecting marine areas is an important step in trying to preserve the biodiversity of our waters.

While Canada boasts one of the largest ocean territories in the world, less than 1% of it is protected through meaningful long-term conservation measures. The federal government made a commitment seven years ago to establish a network of marine protected areas by 2012. Since then, we’ve lost too much time to get a full network in place, but Canada CAN make progress by creating at least 12 new marine protected areas!

Take Action!

We’re aiming for 12,000 people to endorse this message to the Federal Government to advance marine conservation through the establishment of 12 new marine protected areas by the end of 2012.  Show your support for action for the "12 by 12" marine protected areas by signing online here.

Resources

Myth and Madness: Conquering the Tragedy of Marine Protection in Canada

MPA Quick Reference (2011) - A quick overview of the Science-based Guidelines for Marine Protected Areas and MPA Networks in Canada

MPA Guidelines (2011) - In a report commissioned by CPAWS, these science-based guidelines were developed to inform the design and implementation of effective networks of MPAs throughout Canada’s oceans.