New marine protected area off N.S. announced on Oceans Day
Halifax – CPAWS Nova Scotia welcomes Fisheries and Ocean’s Minister Keith Ashfield’s announcement of the government’s intention to proceed in establishing three new marine protected areas in Eastern Canada. The announcement includes St Anns Bank in Eastern Nova Scotia and two areas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, American Bank and Shediac Valley.
On June 6th, CPAWS issued a challenge to the federal government to create 12 new marine protected areas by 2012. “St Anns Bank was one of the areas proposed for Nova Scotia and we’re thrilled to see it moving forward to the next step of the designation process to become a Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the Oceans Act,” says Rodrigo Menafra, CPAWS-NS Marine Conservation Coordinator.
“Approximately 5100 km2 in size, St Anns Bank is a key migration route for fish and marine mammals, and home to cold-water corals and sponges. St Anns Bank provides important habitat for at-risk species, as well as an important foraging area for the migratory leatherback turtle,” adds Menafra.
St Anns Bank was selected based on ecological criteria, plus eight months of public consultations and face-to-face meetings with diverse interests groups. “We believe this pre-selection process strengthens its validity as an area of interest for marine protection and should pave the way for its formal designation as an MPA in a timely manner by 2012,” states Menafra. “We look forward to working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and other stakeholders during the next steps to sort out the regulation and management measures that will need to be implemented to ensure the conservation of the St Anns Bank ecosystem.”
“In 2004 Canada committed to establish a national network of marine protected areas,” says Menafra. “We want to see these new marine protected areas as part of a regional planning approach that will provide comprehensive protection of Canada’s oceans and sustain healthy fisheries.”
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