CANADA -- the government is looking into the possibility of putting a ban on any form of industrial practice and activity around the marine-protected areas (MPA) of the country. The activities should include the offshore oil and gas development as well as the bottom-trawl type of fishing. However, the ban won't be applicable to activities in fisheries conservation areas that are also designated as marine sanctuaries.
The decision has been made effective on Thursday and it also includes bans on the practice of ocean dumping and ocean mining activities in the MPA. The goal is to help the country conserve its natural resources and take part in the international commitment to put under protection at least 10% of the coastal areas and the ocean of Canada by 2020.
By far, Canada is one of the countries that have reached only 8.2 percent of its conservation budget. Half of the areas being considered for the conservation are now being turned into marine refuges. The decision to refuge is also about fisheries management to help protect the important species and their natural habitats.
Industrial activities that have been banned from the MPAs may be allowed to conduct their own exploration in marine refuge provided that they go through an environmental assessment and management process. The committee will then decide whether a permit will be issued or not.
Bottom trawling, on the other hand, won't be permitted as to provide an extra layer of protection for the sponges and corals. Though the government reserves its right to allow open explorations. The Fisheries and Oceans Canada said that the gas and oil explorations that occur within the marine refuges will not be seen against the conservation target of Canada.
"Canadians expect us to take action to protect the unique ecosystem of the country but at the same time, they also want to see the coastal communities to thrive," said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister for Fisheries and Oceans. The standards that have been set are aimed at finding a balance between the environment and the economy. "The needs of the thriving community are set in relation to the conservation of such natural resources."
"The new standards that have been set for marine conservation provide a higher level of protection for the environment in such a way that important economic actors like the fish harvesters will also survive," Wilkinson added.
This is the first and perhaps the largest coastal MPA ever proposed in Canada. When people see how such restrictions impact their environment, it is fairly easy to say that this might not be the last of its kind. In fact, it may only be the beginning of how the government of Canada will be able to make both ecological importance and economic importance both thrive in such a growing environment.
