To mark World Oceans Day on June 8, 2010, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea issued a statement articulating and describing Canada’s support for the country’s ocean resources.
Minister Shea said of World Oceans Day, in part, “Today, Canada celebrates World Oceans Day. Canada’s Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans are an integral part of our identity as a nation. They are central to the way of life and livelihoods of many communities, and are valued as an essential resource by all Canadians. World Oceans Day reminds us of the role that we all play in conserving and protecting this very important resource.”
New National Wildlife and Marine Protected Areas Identified
On World Ocean Day, Minister Shea announced the country's establishment of three National Wildlife Areas in Nunavut and identified two Areas of Interest (AOI) as defined by the Canadian Oceans Act as potential candidates for future status as Marine Protected Areas. The areas discussed by the Minister were:
- Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area (Isabella Bay) – Near Clyde River, created as a Bowhead whale sanctuary.
- Akpait National Wildlife Area – Near Cape Dyer, one of only two areas where Thick-billed Murres, Northern Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes breed in the same region.
- Qaqulluit National Wildlife Area – Found on portion of the same named island off the coast of Baffin Island and home of the largest colony of Northern Fulmars in Canada.
- Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound AOI – A region of glass sponge reefs on the Pacific North Coast.
- Laurentian Channel AOI – A region of rich biodiversity off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Spotlight on Marine Protected Areas
The Minister also announced the publication titled Spotlight on Marine Protected Areas that highlights progress made by the government to ensure the future health of the country’s oceans and ocean related resources. This publication can be downloaded or viewed online and provides the public detailed information on Canadian ocean management and its effect on coastal residents.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has published a webpage that details the importance of World Oceans Day and the objectives sought by the event. Additional information is provided by event partners Rivers to Oceans Week and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Events celebrating the Rivers to Oceans Week will occur through June 13th that marks Canadian Rivers Day.
The Oceans Portal website quotes Arthur C. Clarke to highlight their mission, “How inappropriate to call this planet earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”
Alan Sorum - Alan Sorum is the Maritime Operations Project Manager for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Alan is ...
