CPAWS Newfoundland and Labrador

A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is an area with long-term legal protection. MPAs can range from small, highly protected "no take" areas to large, zoned areas in which some uses are allowed.

We here at CPAWS NL have created a Marine Protected Areas brochure explaining what an MPA is, and how MPAs can help marine conservation. We are hoping to use this brochure in conjunction with other pamphlets and presentations in order to inform and educate communities about the importance of MPAs.

We are also in the process of creating an atlas of sites that should be considered for MPA protection. There is currently no consensus on which marine zones should be considered special and representative. This lack of consensus makes even the first steps of protection work difficult. The atlas is being created in conjunction with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Parks Canada, and professors from Memorial University. When complete, it will identify hotspots and other priority areas that are in need of protection.

The completed atlas will seve as a valuable guide for decision makers, scientists, offshore oil companies, and fishers. It will be a discussion document what will open the door to debate, and it will be an important step towards the creation of the MPA network that Canada hopes to have in place by 2012.

The document will be available in print and on this website. An official launch date has yet to be announced, so please check back regularly for updates.