Benefits of Marine Conservation Areas in Maritimes Region
Marine conservation areas are protected areas of the ocean where many human uses or activities are restricted or limited. They can be established under legislation such as the Oceans Act or Fisheries Act, and they support long-term ocean health. Examples of marine conservation areas include:
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), such as Marine Refuges
Marine conservation areas have positive impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. In the Atlantic Ocean, marine conservation areas:
- safeguard ecological processes
- support biodiversity and resiliency
- provide broad, long-term protection
- minimize human disturbance
- contribute to sustainable ocean use
- mitigate ocean threats
Marine conservation areas can also form networks. When individual conservation areas work together as networks, they can offer greater protection to Canada's marine species, habitats and ecosystems. Conservation networks prioritize protecting key ecosystem features, such representativity (that is, the extent to which a network captures the range of biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecological processes in the region). Conservation networks focus on safeguarding unique, ecologically significant areas and critical ecosystem processes. By targeting these priorities, marine conservation areas support the long-term health and adaptability of marine environments in the face of growing pressures.
Learn more about the positive impacts of marine conservation areas below.
Safeguard ecological processes
In marine conservation areas, protection of natural ecological processes is prioritized. Ecological processes occur with fewer disruptions from human activities. Marine species can feed, reproduce, take shelter, and migrate in a more natural environment. Protecting natural ecological processes helps an ecosystem maintain, recover, and thrive.
Support biodiversity and resiliency
Marine conservation areas can serve to safeguard and potentially enhance biodiversity, which is essential to the healthy functioning of ocean ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. They can also improve the resiliency of our ocean ecosystems and communities.
Provide broad, long-term protection
Many oceans management measures help protect ecosystem functions, including:
- marine conservation areas, such as MPAs
- sector-specific actions, such as management measures focusing on sustainable fishing practices
- dynamic measures, such as North Atlantic right whale fishing closure areas
MPAs are just one part of a broader approach to ocean management. Rather than acting alone, they work alongside other management measures to support sustainable ocean use and protect marine environments.
OECMs similarly offer long-term and spatially defined protection, but they target ecological features and specific pressures. For example, fishing closures occur in a specific area to have a positive impact on marine biodiversity in that area. Both OECMs and Marine Refuges contribute to conservation goals by providing sustained biodiversity outcomes.
Minimize human disturbance
Marine conservation areas use targeted regulations to limit some human activities. The regulations are designed to minimize disturbances and reduce cumulative impacts, so an ecosystem can function naturally, and human activities can continue where appropriate. Marine conservation areas do not restrict or displace all human activities.
Ensure sustainable ocean use
Coastal communities and ocean industries are vital to the economy and culture in the Maritimes Region. Sustainable ocean management strikes a balance between providing access to resources, while also ensuring the long-term viability of the resource. Marine conservation areas support the communities and industries that depend on our oceans and are an important part of sustainable ocean management.
Mitigate ocean threats
Oceans are under increasing pressure. There are many threats affecting the health of the Atlantic Ocean as a whole, including:
- climate change
- acidification
- habitat degradation
In marine conservation areas, human activities are regulated to reduce pressure on ecosystems. Marine conservation areas do not remove all pressures from ocean ecosystems, but they can help ecosystems experience less total pressure. Experiencing fewer impacts can make marine conservation areas more resilient to ocean threats and changing conditions. This means that ocean ecosystems have more capacity to respond to broader threats.