Fisheries and Oceans Plan to Reach Marine Conservation Targets (MCT) East Hudson s Bay/James Bay Regional Roundtable Meeting Chisasibi Nov 7-9, 2016

Transcription

1 Fisheries and Oceans Plan to Reach Marine Conservation Targets (MCT) East Hudson s Bay/James Bay Regional Roundtable Meeting Chisasibi Nov 7-9, 2016

2 Outline 1. Canada s marine and coastal protection commitments 2. Achievements to date 3. MCT plan 4. Collaboration 2

3 The Importance of Marine Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) maintain biodiversity, represent ecosystems, protect important habitats, provide a refuge for species, and restore ecosystem resilience in a changing climate (oceans absorb 90% of excess heat and 25% of carbon produced by humans). Oceans are an important economic driver, contributing 346,000 jobs and $36 billion to Canada s Gross Domestic Product. Effectively managed MPAs contribute to long-term sustainability of activities dependent on living resources. 3

4 Canada s Marine Conservation Target Commitments In 2010 Canada agreed to a marine conservation target under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (Aichi Target 11): By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes. The targets apply to Canada not to an ocean or on a bioregional basis and are likely to increase past The commitment to meet the Aichi Target 11 was reconfirmed: Ø In 2015: National biodiversity goal: 10% marine conservation by Ø In 2015: United Nations General Assembly s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under Goal 14. Ø In 2016: Canada-U.S. Joint Statement on Climate, Energy, and Arctic Leadership, to meet the 10% target by

5 Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas and Areas of Interest 5

6 Remaining Gaps Canada ranked 77 out of 150 countries in a 2013 international comparison of marine protection. The 10% target is ambitious and amounts to 575,000 km 2 (approximately the area of all Atlantic provinces combined). Leaves gap of 237,500 km 2 to protect by 2017, and a further 287,500 km 2 by Canada s plan to reach its marine conservation targets will address this gap. 6

7 MCT Plan 1. Finish What Was Started: Complete work already underway in six areas proposed for protection: Proposed Lancaster Sound National Marine Conservation Area Proposed Oceans Act MPAs: Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam, NWT Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs, BC Laurentian Channel, NL St. Anns Bank, NS Banc des Américains, QC 7

8 2. Protect Pristine Areas: MCT Plan Establish new, large Oceans Act MPAs in pristine offshore areas. Science is showing that there are benefits to protecting pristine areas in a proactive and precautionary manner. Allows use of precautionary approach while science, socio-economic analysis, and cultural considerations continue to develop and inform MPA management. This approach is also used within the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand, amongst other countries. The location, management approaches, and size of these areas will be determined in consultation with our partners, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. 8

9 MCT Plan 3. Protect Areas Under Pressure: Establish additional Oceans Act MPAs in areas under pressure from human activities: Further advance MPA network development in priority bioregions and in other areas; Identify other areas to move towards designation. The location, management approaches, and size of these areas will be determined in consultation with provinces, territories, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. 9

10 MCT Plan 4. Advance Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures: Efforts are underway to identify existing and implement new potential other measures that may contribute to the marine conservation targets. These measures use criteria that are based on 2016 Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) advice and may include: fisheries closures with biodiversity benefits (e.g., sensitive sponge and coral concentrations) some species at risk critical habitat other areas that fit scientific criteria Consideration is also been given to the domestic and international guidance being developed by groups such as the Canadian Council for Ecological Areas (CCEA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD). An inventory of existing fisheries closures is under development; some may qualify (estimate is approximately 1% of Canada s marine territory). The location, management approaches, and size of these measures will be determined in consultation with our partners, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. 10

11 Collaboration: Provinces and Territories Collaboration at the national level will be conducted through the newly formed Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) Oceans Task Group (OTG): OTG s foundation laid by 2011 CCFAM National Framework for Canada s Network of MPAs. Bilateral engagement at the regional/bioregional level continues through existing governance structures, such as Regional Committees on Oceans Management. 11

12 Collaboration: Indigenous Groups The Government recognizes the rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership with Indigenous Peoples. To create an MPA, the following will be considered: Indigenous rights and interests Subsistence fishing with MPA conservation objectives will continue to be determined on a case by case basis. Significant cultural and economic activities. Stewardship focused partnerships with Indigenous groups which are established through agreements or management plans. Partnering in science research and data collection. Inclusion of Traditional Knowledge, particularly for areas in which scientific information and data is limited. 12

13 Thank you. For further information: