According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, a Marine Protected Area (MPA) is, “part of the ocean that is legally protected and managed to achieve long-term conservation of nature.”

MPAs may be created to preserve the health of the marine environment, support coastal communities or protect important Canadian cultural sites. While all MPAs share a similar purpose, each MPA is regulated on an individual basis according to the resources, industries and ecosystem considerations in that specific MPA. Continue reading