What is DFO’s role in protecting sea turtles?
All sea turtles found in Canadian waters are protected under the Fisheries Act, which protects all aquatic animals and their habitat. Both of Canada’s transient Pacific and Atlantic populations of leatherback turtles are listed as Endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act. The SARA listing is used to prevent species from becoming extinct and to provide for the recovery of threatened or endangered species like sea turtles.
