How does Canada protect sensitive marine areas?
As part of the ecosystem approach, criteria have been developed to identify ecologically and biologically significant areas. Some of these areas may be sensitive to physical damage and an upcoming science based workshop will examine domestic and international data on the types of seafloors vulnerable to bottom trawls. The conclusions from this meeting will further inform the management actions required. Since 2002, five Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been designated in Canada, including the Gully, a deep-sea canyon on the eastern Scotian Shelf near Sable Island off Canada’s east coast. The Government plans to designate five more MPAs by 2007. Gear restrictions have also been introduced in several conservation areas. For example, about 90 per cent of the Coral Conservation Area established in 2002 in the Northeast Channel off Nova Scotia, is closed to bottom trawl fishing gear designed to catch groundfish or invertebrate species. The remaining 10 per cent of the 424-square-kilometre
