In response to a growing tide of concern regarding the status of our marine ecosystems, CPAWS-Quebec has formed a new Marine Parks committee. This volunteer committee aims to promote the establishment of marine parks in the Quebec region, to educate the public on matters affecting local marine ecosystems, and to not allow oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.

With the establishment of the Saguenay- St. Lawrence Marine Park in 1997 the province of Quebec became a pioneer in the establishment of marine parks in Canada. By closing a marine area to exploitation, it is hoped that the site is buffered from surrounding pressures. While the ultimate goal is protection of the site, marine parks are also part of the tourism industry and as such, the parks are used to promote the education of visitors about marine ecosystems. Although Quebec boasts a coastline of >12 000 km, along which thrives a rich and diverse marine environment, there has, unfortunately, been a halt in the establishment of marine parks in this region. The Marine Committee at CPAWS-Quebec is currently involved in the promotion of a National Marine Conservation Area in Îles-de la-Madeleine, for which Parks Canada is presently undergoing a feasibility study.

In Canada, marine ecosystems may be protected under three different designations:

(1) Environment Canada can protect wildlife and wildlife habitats through the establishment of National Wildlife Areas (NWA) and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS). In Quebec, these sites include a number of estuary/ wetlands along the shores of the St. Lawrence. These sites, however, do not protect the marine ('water') portion of their areas.

(2) In 2002, the National Marine Conservation Act was passed giving Parks Canada jurisdiction over National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCA). NMCAs protect the seabed, the water above it and any species which occur there. Although tourism and traditional fishing activities are permitted in some zones of the NMCAs, ocean dumping, oil and gas exploration and development, large-scale fishing and trawling, and under sea mining are prohibited. The Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park is considered an NMCA but is commonly referred to as a marine park because it was established before the Act was officially passed.

(3) In 1997, the Oceans Act was passed giving the Department of Fisheries and Oceans legislation for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas. These areas can be over 200 nautical miles from shore and are chosen to protect fishery and non-fishery resources, endangered or threatened species, marine areas of high biodiversity and productivity and unique habitats. In Quebec, DFO is examining the need for an MPA to protect marine mammals and their habitat. This MPA would be in an area adjacent to the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and would be Quebec’s first MPA.

The CPAWS Marine Committee is also active in the lobby against oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We believe this habitat to be especially vulnerable to the potential negative effects of exploration both because of its unique physio-geography and because of the number of people dependent on it rich marine resources (fisheries and tourism).

For more information on our Marine Protected Areas Committee, please contact us : info@snapqc.org.