Protected Area Expansions
UNREASONABLE & MEANINGLESS TARGETS
Canada has committed to protecting 25% of its oceans by 2025 and 30% by 2030. Current protected marine areas make up approximately 14.7%.
FFAW was notified in July by DFO that processes were underway to assess the feasibility of identifying “a number of new potential marine conservation areas in the Canadian-NL offshore” by way of proposing additional Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or Marine Refuges. The timeline is unclear, but meetings are expected late 2024 and early 2025. DFO advised they have drafted preliminary areas for proposed MPAs and Marine Refuges to be consulted upon at these upcoming meetings.
NO CONSULTATION UP TO THIS POINT
The rationale for selecting these preliminary areas remains to be seen, but participation and fisheries engagement at these upcoming meetings will be critical.
The ocean has finite space. When we consider the cumulative impacts of offshore areas already allotted to oil and gas operators and fisheries closures by way of MPAs and Marine Refuges coupled with the dynamic nature of commercial fisheries, it’s inshore fish harvesters that feel the squeeze the most. The detrimental effects of further reducing fishing grounds offshore cannot be understated.
It is the position of FFAW that other avenues for marine protection exist beyond those that simply restrict fishing activity. Other Effective-Area-Based Management Measures (OECMs) often have similar conservation and biodiversity results, while meeting other primary objectives. Potential examples include seasonal cod spawning closures in 3Ps and adaptive management measures in the mackerel fishery.