Final Consultations Launched for Four Marine Protected Areas june 10,  2005

In Canada, and across the world, there is a growing recognition that marine protected areas have a critical role to play in the conservation and protection of marine life and their habitats. Canada's oceans are rich and have enormous potential to benefit both present and future generations. Our coastal and offshore marine ecosystems are host to a remarkable diversity of species including marine mammals, fish, and a wide variety of invertebrate species and plants. However, threats to the biodiversity, productivity and ecological integrity of marine ecosystems must be addressed, not only because we value our oceans but also because coastal communities and regional economies depend on healthy productive oceans. Canada's Oceans Act gives us the ability to establish Marine Protected Areas to conserve and protect unique habitats, endangered or threatened marine species and their habitats, commercial and non-commercial fishery resources (including marine mammals) and their habitats, marine areas of high biodiversity or biological productivity, and any other marine resource or habitat requiring special protection. News Release Final Consultations Launched for Four Marine Protected Areas June 10, 2005 - Charlottetown, PEI SPEECH Speaking Notes for Shawn Murphy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to Announce Launch of Final Public Consultations for Four Atlantic MPAs Backgrounders Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas Eastport Marine Protected Area Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area Basin Head Marine Protected Area The Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area Photo Gallery FACTSHEET Eastport, Gilbert Bay, Basin Head and Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Areas other links Musquash Marine Protected Area Campaign New Brunswick's Musquash Estuary Canada's Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy