Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) () are zones within Canadian waters where the marine environment receives a high level of environmental protection. Marine Protected Areas are governed by the Oceans Act of 1996 and administered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The federal government of Canada has committed to protecting 25% of its oceans as Marine Protected Areas by the year 2025, and a further 5% (30% of the ocean area of the Exclusive Economic Zone) by 2030.
Scope of protection On 25 April 2019, new standards were adopted for marine protected areas that prohibit four industrial activities: oil and gas activities, mining, dumping, and bottom trawling. These standards do not retroactively void existing oil and gas licenses, or void previously approved bottom trawling activities. Instead, the department will assess each issue of these now prohibited activities on a case-by-case basis to ensure they're in line with the conservation objectives of the specific area. However, designation as a Marine Protected Area does not automatically prohibit fishing and other activities. Activities within these areas are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are permitted if they are consistent with the conservation objectives of the specific area.
Adding to the system Fisheries and Oceans Canada collaborates with interested and affected parties to provide input into the establishment of a marine protected area. When an area is under consideration to become a marine protected area, it is identified as an Area of Interest. If further study is required to develop an appropriate long-term conservation approach, it is identified as a Study Area.
The department determines the viability of a proposal based upon the ecological, biophysical, social, cultural, and economic aspects of the area. Based on the overview and assessment reports, the conservation objectives of the proposed MPA are elaborated upon and the regulatory measures are developed. The proposal is then published in Canada Gazette, Part I for public comment, at which point regulations may be modified to reflect comments received. Once finalized, official MPA designation occurs when its regulations are published in Canada Gazette, Part II.
List of Marine Protected Areas As of May 2026, Canada has sixteen Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering an area of over , or about 10% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas. The former Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents MPA was repealed in 2024 with the establishment of Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area, which includes the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents within its boundaries. NameLocationEstablishedArea (km2)Natural regionDescription Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam 2016 2,358 Western Arctic Protects ecologically important habitats for Arctic char, cod, beluga and bowhead whales, ringed and bearded seals, polar bears, and numerous sea birds. Banc-des-Américains 2019 1,000 Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence Protects the benthic and pelagic ecosystems of an underwater ridge extending southeast from Cap Gaspé. Basin Head 2005 9 Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence Protects an underwater ecosystem supporting Irish moss. Eastport 2005 2 Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves Protects two areas of high biological productivity and prime lobster habitat around Eastport Peninsula. Gilbert Bay 2005 60 Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves Protects a genetically unique resident population of Atlantic cod known as "Gilbert Bay cod". 2004 2,363 Scotian Shelf Protects a deep submarine canyon ecosystem and endangered cetacean populations in the area. Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs 2017 2,410 Northern Shelf Protects four glass sponge reefs that were the first discovered living specimens and are the largest glass sponge reefs in the world. Laurentian Channel 2019 11,580 Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves Protects a variety of endangered species within the channel. Musquash Estuary 2006 7 Scotian Shelf Protects the largest ecologically-intact salt marsh in the Bay of Fundy. Qikiqtait 2026 42,700 Hudson Complex Protects the waters surrounding the Belcher Islands of southeastern Hudson Bay. Saint Anns Bank 2017 4,364 Scotian Shelf Protects a region of high biodiversity and biological productivity off the east coast of Cape Breton Island. Sarvarjuaq 2026 73,700 Arctic Archipelago Protects the portion of the North Water Polynya within Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone. SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount 2008 6,103 Offshore Pacific Protects a unique, biologically diverse marine community of deep sea, subtidal, and intertidal species. Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is 2024 133,017 Offshore Pacific Protects all known hydrothermal vent fields within Canada and 47 seamounts. Tarium Niryutait 2010 1,750 Western Arctic Protects a dynamic, highly productive, and biologically diverse marine ecosystem located within the outer reaches of the Mackenzie River delta. Tuvaijuittuq 2019 319,411 Arctic Basin and Arctic Archipelago Protects a diverse marine ecosystem dependent on thick, multi-year pack ice created by the circulation of the Beaufort Gyre.
Areas of Interest Name Location Area (km2) Natural regionDescription Eastern Shore Islands 2,000 Scotian Shelf A large, highly productive, and ecologically intact stretch of coastline between the villages of Marie Joseph and Jeddore. Fundian Channel-Browns Bank 7,200 Scotian Shelf Area hosting diverse benthic habitats and depleted fish species. Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence TBD Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence Race Rocks (XwaYeN) 2 Southern Shelf 6,000 Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence Currently undergoing additional studies to develop an appropriate long-term conservation approach. Shediac Valley 1,530 Estuary and Gulf of Saint Lawrence Area of high biological productivity and a key habitat for various fish species. Southampton Island 93,087 Hudson Complex Area of high biological productivity.
See also National Marine Conservation Area
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