Activity application for St. Anns Bank MPA

1. Overview

The St. Anns Bank Marine Protected Area (MPA) was established to protect the unique habitats and areas of high biological diversity and biological productivity found there. The conservation objectives were developed to ensure no unacceptable reduction or human-caused modification in the productivity, biodiversity, or habitat in the area. This MPA is complex with four zones and different activities allowed in each zone. Refer to the Regulations and Schedules for precise requirements and coordinates.

With certain exceptions, the Regulations prohibit any activity that disturbs, damages, destroys or removes any living marine organism or any part of its habitat or is likely to do so. Activities that may be allowed to occur in the MPA are listed under the ‘exceptions’ section of the Regulations and include:

• Certain types of fishing, according to prescribed Regulations and zones;
• Navigation; and
• Activities carried out for public safety, national defence, national security, law enforcement, or in response to an emergency.

In addition, scientific research or monitoring, educational, or commercial marine tourism activities may be allowed to occur within the MPA if a proponent submits an activity plan to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and it receives Ministerial approval. The conditions for approval are outlined in the MPA Regulations.