What is a marine conservation area?

Did you know Canada has the longest coastline in the world? Over 243,000 km along three oceans -- plus another 9500 km along the Great Lakes. Canada is also responsible for over 5 million km2 of marine waters - the equivalent of about 60% of the country's land mass!

I learned these interesting facts while researching Canada’s Marine Conservation areas which form part of Canada’s National Park system. Although I always refer to Canada’s 47 National Parks I should also include Park Canada's 4 National Marine Conservation areas:

Lake Superior Marine Conservation Area
Fathom Five National Marine Park
Gwaii Haanas Marine Conservation Area
Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park

Basically, Marine Conservation Areas are marine zones managed for sustainable use and containing smaller zones of high protection. They include the seabed, the water above it and any species which occur there. They may also take in wetlands, estuaries, islands and other coastal lands.

Human uses such as fishing and shipping can continue within the conservation area’s boundaries, but such activities can be limited or even eliminated from nesting areas, spawning beds,

whale calving areas and cultural sites. Other activities, namely ocean dumping, undersea mining and oil and gas exploration and development, are not permitted.

This August Michel and I will be visiting two Marine Conservation Areas:

Lake Superior Marine Conservation Area
Fathom Five National Marine Park

I look forward to reporting back on our findings.