Creating a Conservation Network in the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy

The waters of the Scotian Shelf and the Bay of Fundy have been home to rich marine life and habitats for millennia. They are a source of food and employment and have provided for First Nations since time immemorial. These waters are home to species including:
  • American lobster
  • Atlantic salmon
  • a variety of groundfish
  • deep sea corals and sponges
  • lush kelp beds and eelgrass meadows
  • North Atlantic right whales
  • northern bottlenose whales
These marine ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human use and environmental changes. A marine conservation network offers greater protection for marine species, habitats and ecosystems. Marine conservation networks are a collection of individual conservation areas. They can include marine protected areas and other conservation measures, like marine refuges. Networks support conservation over the long term while minimizing impacts on ocean users.

A marine conservation network plan is being created by the Government of Canada through:
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service
  • Parks Canada
This will be created with input from:
  • The Governments of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
  • First Nations and Indigenous organizations
  • Stakeholders
  • Canadians

To support Canada’s goal to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030, we are working to protect areas in the Scotian Shelf and the Bay of Fundy. From April 29 to June 29, 2024 the public can provide input on the marine conservation network plan. Feedback from this survey will be used by the Government of Canada to inform the final Conservation Network Plan and conservation planning for years to come. Feedback will be summarized in a “What We Heard” document and shared on Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s website.

The conservation network includes a number of existing protected and conserved areas that have been established over the last several decades. As well, the conservation network includes two Fisheries and Oceans Canada-led Areas of Interest (AOIs) undergoing formal consideration for establishment as Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act: Fundian Channel-Browns Bank AOI and Eastern Shore Islands AOI. This survey is not being used to gather information on established sites or the two AOIs, but more information on these processes can be found on Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s website.

We suggest that you review the marine conservation network plan and view the conservation network webinar before filling out the survey. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Please note that this survey is anonymous. *We ask that you do not provide any personal information about yourself or any other individual(s) while responding to open text questions in this survey. To provide feedback on behalf of a group or organization, or if you have any questions about the survey, please email: MaritimesMPAs@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. 

Participating in this survey is completely voluntary, and you may discontinue at any time by closing the window of your browser. By completing and submitting the survey:
  • you are aware that the combined data resulting from this survey may be used by the Government of Canada in public presentations and publications, as well as for internal research purposes; and
  • you consent to participate in this consultation.
Please also note that answers are not auto-saved. To ensure your response is captured, complete and submit the survey during a single session, without exiting the browser.