Set the ocean and Canada on a course to recovery!
While it may seem limitless, every corner of the ocean is being impacted by extractive human activities, putting the ocean health, and our well-being, in jeopardy. Fisheries are declining, habitats and species are disappearing, and coastal communities are struggling.
Strong and well-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) can breathe life back into the ocean and coastal economies. They give marine ecosystems the chance to recover and supply us with the critical services that a healthy ocean generates.
Despite commitments to protect 25% of its ocean by 2025 and 30% by 2030, strong MPAs are not currently positioned at the centre of the Blue Economy Strategy Canada is developing to guide and grow its ocean economy.
By investing in conservation and making strong marine protected areas the central pillar of the Strategy, we can restore ocean health, create meaningful jobs where they are desperately needed, fight climate change, support fisheries, and chart a course to a prosperous and equitable blue economy for generations to come.
Send a letter today and help us ensure the federal government prioritizes protecting and restoring ocean ecosystems in its Blue Economy Strategy.
A copy of your letter will be sent to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, your Member of Parliament, and the Blue Economy Strategy consultation team.
Honorable Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard,
As a Canadian who cares deeply about our ocean, I want to thank you for the recent historic investment to protect 25% of Canada's ocean by 2025 and 30% by 2030 in the 2021 Federal Budget. This investment will help set Canada on the right course to a healthy ocean, healthy coastal communities, and a healthy blue economy.
It is important that Canada's Blue Economy Strategy reflect these commitments and prioritize the protection of at least 30% of our ocean in strongly protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), consistent with the recommendations of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
We should not choose between ocean conservation and a prosperous ocean economy — we need to pursue them together.
- Well-managed MPAs can produce high financial returns of up to 10:1 on every dollar invested, with long-term benefits to fisheries, tourism, research, and other marine sectors.
- MPAs and restoration projects are job-rich — studies estimate up to 20 jobs per $1 million USD invested. This means sustainable and meaningful employment in Indigenous and coastal communities in MPA management and monitoring sectors.
- MPA investments boost local industries and businesses like boat builders and marine mechanics, outfitters, and hospitality services.
- MPAs are a proven conservation tool, and the protection of critical ocean carbon stores helps to fight climate change and provides critical ecosystem services, such as wave and flood defenses that vulnerable coastal communities need.
With the longest coastline in the world and one of the largest ocean estates, now is the time for Canada to get serious about the commitment to protect 25% of the ocean by 2025 and 30% by 2030. Strong marine protected areas are an all-around good investment and should be at the center of Canada's Blue Economy Strategy. Anything less will not be sustainable.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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