In 1997, Canada became the first country in the world to adopt comprehensive legislation for integrated ocean management. By passing its Oceans Act, Canada made a commitment to conserve, protect and develop the oceans in a sustainable manner.

 

Part 2 of the Oceans Act calls for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to “...lead and facilitate the development and implementation of plans for the integrated management of all activities or measures in or affecting estuaries, coastal waters and marine waters....”

 

Through the implementation of an integrated management approach, Canada seeks to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Large Ocean Management Areas (LOMAs) have been identified to address large-scale ocean space issues and provide the context for future integrated management and spatial planning. These areas include:

 

 

Canada’s marine spatial framework is further developed around 19 ecological units (marine eco-regions) identified on the basis of a set of criteria and delineated to ensure that management areas capture ecosystem-scale features, patterns and trends.

 

During the process of integrated management, relevant information about the ecosystem is gathered and assessed, as well as information on the social, economic, and cultural features associated with each LOMA. This information is then compiled into Ecosystem Overview and Assessment reports and Social, Economic, and Cultural Overview and Assessment reports. Examples of these reports can be accessed through the links provided in the “Additional Reading” section below.

 

Marine spatial planning is furthest developed for the Eastern Scotian Shelf where a strategic plan for integrated ocean management has been published in 2007. As part of the plan, human uses have been identified and mapped and objectives have been set for the future integrated management of ocean space on the Eastern Scotian Shelf. Although marine spatial planning is not explicity addressed in the ESSIM Strategic Plan, many of its objectives would require MSP for implementation. A recent (November 2008) ESSIM Stakeholder Forum began to establish a basis for MSP in the ESSIM region.

 

An integrated management plan for the Beaufort Sea is in its final stage of development.

 

 

 

 

For additional information go to the website of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

 

Additional reading is also available on the references page of this website.