The Government of Canada is marking World Oceans Day by investing in new protections for the oceans and coasts.
The Federal Government has recognized that our waters are facing urgent threats, like climate change and declining biodiversity, which is having negative impacts on the health of the oceans, and the health of the Canadian environment and economy.
The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Jonathan Wilkinson, has confirmed an investment of over 13.6 million dollars for an additional 24 Coastal Restoration Fund (CRF) projects to restore coastal habitats. Wilkinson says these projects will help protect the ocean, species at risk, and help restore wild fish stocks, while also taking steps to support economic growth and jobs in coastal communities.
This is the 3rd CRF project funding, the first two phases funded 40 projects, including putting in measures to protect wild salmon, mitigating infrastructure development impacts on delicate coastal ecosystems, and stabilizing river banks.
Wilkinson also announced further action under the Oceans Protection Plan's Coastal Environmental Baseline Program, to track the impacts of port-related activities and the health of the west coast ecosystems. That action will be in the form of a 5-million dollar investment in 9 new data collection projects in the Port of Vancouver and Port of Prince Rupert areas. The data will be of shipping traffic and climate change impacts, and inform what further action is needed.beachocean
The Federal Government says these investments and actions will not only ensure that the oceans and environment can be preserved for the next generations, but they will also create sustainable jobs and economic growth on our waters and coasts.