Oceans & Habitat, Maritimes Region

The Oceans & Habitat Branch delivers regional programs and services in support of DFO's national mandate for Fish Habitat Management and Oceans Management. The legislative authority for these programs is provided by the Fisheries Act and the Oceans Act. More information on the Fish Habitat Management and Oceans Management programs can be found on the national Canadian Waters web site. In addition, the Branch shares responsibilities for departmental obligations mandated by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act , the Species at Risk Act and the department's Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy.

Specific program direction and focus for the Oceans Management program has been developed to align with Canada 's Oceans Strategy and the new Oceans Action Plan. The region will be focusing its attention on two of the four pillars of the new Oceans Action Plan. The first pillar, Health of the Oceans, supports regional work for Marine Protected Areas, Species at Risk responsibilities and ecosystem-based management initiatives. The second pillar, Integrated Oceans Management for Sustainable Development, provides support for programs such as the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management (ESSIM) Initiative.

In 2004, the Fish Habitat Management Program announced a new Environmental Process Modernization Plan. Regional program delivery will be consistent with the objectives of this plan and will include new guidelines to streamline low risk projects. This will enable more staff resources to be dedicated to major projects having the greatest potential for significant environmental impacts. In addition, the Branch will continue to seek opportunities to work in collaboration with other levels of government and community groups to develop habitat compensation plans to offset unavoidable fish habitat damage and to promote stewardship activities.