Linking Science and Law

In the 5 point Action Plan for reaching the protection targets, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard committed to examining “how the Oceans Act can be updated to facilitate the designation process for Marine Protected Areas, without sacrificing science, or the public’s opportunity to provide input.”1 Here, we present recommendations for updating the Oceans Act to transla [...] Managers of marine protected areas around the world (including both community- and state-run management) have reported a desire for a clearer and more prescriptive legal framework to guide MPA planning and management.3 This brief focuses on Canada’s ‘skeletal’4 Oceans Act, the main federal law regarding ocean protection, and the law that the Canadian government is committed to updating.5. [...] Incorporating MPAs into a network Protection afforded to marine ecosystems from MPAs is also influenced by the size of the designated protected area and its proximity to other protected areas.12 Protection of marine populations and ecosystems cannot be achieved through individual sites alone due to the many connections and processes that support the functions of the marine environment. [...] In 2016, the IUCN called on governments to prohibit environmentally damaging industrial activities and infrastructure development in all IUCN categories of protected areas.30 Specific activities known to damage marine species and habitats could be prohibited in MPAs following the example of marine reserves, as defined in the California Marine Life Protection Act: “Marine life reserve,” for the pur [...] While, to the extent feasible, the area shall be open to the public for managed enjoyment and study, the area shall be maintained to the extent practicable in an undisturbed and unpolluted state.