Protecting 30 by 30: that's the goal. Canada aims to safeguard 30 per cent of its oceans by 2030 to reverse biodiversity loss, protect ecosystems and ensure resilience against warming and acidification. But how can we conserve something as dynamic, deep, multi-dimensional and diverse as the ocean? Globally, marine protected areas are considered an effective tool in ocean conservation. There are 14 in Canada protected under the federal Oceans Act, in addition to national marine conservation areas and marine national wildlife areas. These fall under the jurisdiction of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada, respectively. And they're protected by various bits of legislation, including the Oceans Act, the Fisheries Act and the Canada Wildlife Act. "There are multiple partners and stakeholders who are involved within the ocean space," says Kathy Graham, director general of marine planning and conservation at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. "It's a delicate dance."
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