Canada's Oceans Strategy Powerpoint Presentation

(Slide 1)

Talking About Canada's Oceans Strategy

Summer 2002

(Slide 2)

Why Are We Here?

• To present Canada's Oceans Strategy
• To discuss planned federal activities to implement Canada's Oceans Strategy
• To identify areas/opportunities where you can get involved in oceans management

(Slide3)

Why Do We Need a Strategy?

• Increasing number and diversity of ocean users
• Renewable resources (e.g. fishing, aquaculture)
• Non-renewable resources (e.g. offshore petroleum)
  Ocean space (e.g. marine transport, cables, tourism and security)
• Need for increased coordination of federal oceans-related activities to help achieve sustainable economic development
• To meet Canada's international obligations and demonstrate leadership in oceans management

(Slide 4)

What Is The Strategy?

• Federal statement of oceans policy based on the Oceans Act (1997)
• Promotes ecosystem-based management approach
• Based on three core principles:
  • Sustainable Development
  • Integrated Management
  • Precautionary Approach

(Slide 5)

What Are Its Objectives?

• To increase our understanding & protection of the marine environment
• To support sustainable economic opportunities
• To demonstrate international leadership in oceans management
  

(Slide 6)

How Will We Implement The Strategy?

By undertaking a series of specific activities designed to support each objective:

• Within the federal government
• In partnership with other governments
• In collaboration with affected Aboriginal peoples, coastal communities, industry and other oceans interests

(Slide 7)

1. Understanding and Protecting the Marine Environment

• Improved scientific knowledge base for estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems
  e.g. Develop a State of the Oceans reporting system
  
• Policies and programs aimed at marine pollution prevention
  
  e.g. Promote the implementation of the Green Infrastructure program in coastal communities to improve sewage treatment
  
• Conservation and protection of the marine environment
  
  e.g. Develop a strategy for a national network of Marine Protected Areas

(Slide 8)

2. Supporting Sustainable Economic Opportunities

• Sectoral measures to improve and support governance and management of marine industries
  e.g. Support and promote initiatives underway within DFO such as the Atlantic Fisheries Policy Review and Aquaculture development
• New and emerging opportunities for oceans industries and oceans-related coastal development
  e.g. "Oceans Team Canada" approach to international promotion of Canadian oceans industries
• Co-operation and co-ordination to support and promote business development in the oceans sector
  e.g. Develop on Oceans Marine Technology Roadmap

(Slide 9)

3. International Leadership

• Sovereignty and Security e.g. Promote national and international collaboration to prevent illegal activity and enforce national and international obligations
• International Oceans Governance e.g. Promote compliance with existing international agreements
• Share experiences, promote compliance and build capacity, in particular for developing nations e.g. Support capacity development for developing countries for the sustainable development of marine resources and oceans spaces

(Slide 10)

How Will We Implement The Strategy?

By promoting modern oceans governance through:

• Integrated Management planning - comprehensive planning technique to reduce user conflict and ensure sustainable resource use
• Institutional Mechanisms - new and existing forums for coordination and cooperation
• Stewardship activities - partnerships for responsible care

(Slide 11)

How Will We Implement The Strategy?

• By building on lessons learned from on-going practical experience with:
• local-level oceans programs - Integrated Management Planning, Marine Protected Areas, Marine Environmental Quality
• national policy activities like Minister's Advisory Council on Oceans; Oceans Management Research Network
• practical stewardship involving managing shared waters, conservation and best-use practices & community shoreline/beach clean-ups

(Slide 12)

Today's Discussion

• Talk about Canada's Oceans Strategy
• Discuss planned federal activities to implement Canada's Oceans Strategy
• Identify areas/opportunities where you can get involved in oceans management

(Slide 13)

Integrated Management: What is it?

• An ongoing and collaborative process to bring interested parties together to effectively plan and manage human activities occurring in and/or affecting portions of the marine environment
• A flexible and transparent planning process that respects existing divisions of authority, and does not abrogate or derogate from existing Aboriginal or treaty rights

(Slide 14)

Integrated Management: How does it work?

• Creates common fora for oceans stakeholders to facilitate information exchange, address conflicts, and develop management plans which specify conditions under which activities can occur within a specific area
• Uses ecosystem-based objectives and indicators to guide decision-making
• Emphasizes working in collaboration
• Promotes the use of scientific, traditional and local knowledge to make informed decisions
• Builds on existing jurisdictional plans, structures and processes

(Slide 15)

Integrated Management: How does it work?

(Slide 16)

Integrated Management: How does it work?

(Slide 17)

Marine Protected Areas: What are they?

An area of sea that has been specially designated for conservation and protection of:

• Commercial and non-commercial fishery resources, including marine mammals, and their habitats;
• Endangered or threatened marine species, and their habitats;
  
• Unique habitats;
• Marine areas of high biodiversity or biological productivity; and
• Any other marine resource or habitat as is necessary to fulfill the mandate of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Other federal departments also have mandates for marine protected areas -- e.g. "representative" areas (Marine Conservation Areas of Parks Canada); bird sanctuaries (Environment Canada); marine cultural heritage (Canadian Heritage)

(Slide 18)

Marine Protected Areas: How are they developed?

• Ideally, will be initiated within the context of Integrated Management planning.
• The National Framework for Establishing and Managing Marine Protected Areas provides a step by step approach to the establishment of MPAs.
• Many opportunities for involvement of all interested and affected parties.
• MPA Management plans will take an effective approach and will be developed with involvement of all interested and affected parties.
• Canada's Oceans Strategy proposes a national strategy for collaboration and cooperation on the various types of MPAs

(Slide 19)

Stewardship: What is it?

• A collective responsibility to ensure benefits for current and future generations
• Refers to a wide-range of actions and activities of individuals and organizations to conserve, protect and enhance oceans resources in a sustainable manner

(Slide 20)

Stewardship: How does it work?

Ocean stewardship can take many forms:

• Guidelines for best practices
• Restoration and conservation of critical marine habitats (e.g. Shore Keepers)
• Prevention of marine pollution (e.g. upgrading septic systems)
  Public education and awareness
• State of the oceans reporting