Marine spatial planning
In this section
- Overview
- International efforts
- National efforts
- Marine spatial planning areas and plans
- Science, knowledge and tools
- Related information
Overview
Our oceans, and those who rely on them, are facing significant challenges from climate change and pollution. There are diverse and often conflicting demands on marine resources and spaces. Canada's approach to managing our oceans needs to take into account:
- the vast amount of ocean space we have
- our unique jurisdictional context
- the various rights and interests of our partners and stakeholders
To address these issues, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is drawing on a variety of tools to advance integrated oceans management. Since 2018, DFO has pursued marine spatial planning (MSP) as a way to guide the sustainable use of our oceans.
MSP is an internationally recognized process for managing ocean spaces. This collaborative process has begun in various planning areas across Canada. It can help us:
- better understand and coordinate where, when and how we use and manage the ocean and its resources
- achieve ecological, economic, social and cultural objectives
In Canada, MSP includes engaging:
- federal departments
- provincial and territorial governments
- Indigenous governments
- relevant stakeholders, including:
- industry
- academia
- environmental non-governmental organizations
- local communities
International efforts
More than 75 countries in North and Central America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania are advancing ocean management using MSP. Approaches vary as each country has unique circumstances and marine environments.
A guiding principle for MSP internationally is to engage partners and stakeholders. An International Guide on Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning was developed. It outlines key guiding principles and best practices to help countries do MSP.
MSP supports Canada's efforts to meet its International commitments to the:
- United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
- UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
- 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015)
- The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
National efforts
MSP is intertwined with and compliments a number of parallel efforts including:
- the Blue Economy Strategy (BES) Regulatory Roadmap (2024)
- Canada’s Oceans Strategy (2002) (PDF, 840 KB)
- Marine environmental Quality
- Ecosystem-based management
- Meeting Canada’s Marine Conservation Target of 30% by 2030
MSP also supports Target 1 of the Canada’s 2030 National Nature Strategy, which aims to bring the loss of areas of importance for biodiversity, including areas of high ecological integrity, close to zero by 2030 by “ensuring that all areas are under participatory integrated biodiversity inclusive spatial planning and/or effective management processes addressing land and sea use change”.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s National Guidance for Marine Spatial Planning
DFO developed national guidance for MSP. This guidance provides:
- high-level MSP goals and principles
- a series of phases and activities for implementing an MSP process
It can help inform how DFO envisions MSP processes or other collaborative planning processes. These processes contribute to integrated oceans management in the unique planning areas.
The guidance:
- is an important milestone in DFO’s efforts on MSP
- represents the approach taken in Canada and Canada’s broader commitment to integrated oceans management under Section 31 of the Oceans Act
- showcases DFO’s approach to MSP in Canada since 2018
- outlines DFO’s ambition for how future initiatives, like MSP or other integrated oceans management initiatives, might operate in Canada
Science, knowledge and tools
DFO scientists are involved in various aspects of the MSP process. They help create an evidence-based and inclusive approach that draws on:
- natural and social science
- Local and Indigenous KnowledgeFootnote 1
- economic data
- cultural and heritage information
Scientific data contributes to the body of knowledge regarding ecosystems, stressors and impacts:
- Knowledge and research gaps are identified through analysis of published data.
- Subject matter experts develop methodologies and conduct studies and analysis. They answer research questions that inform MSP.
We gather data and knowledge from different sources and use it to generate additional insights. For example, reports and maps are created. These products:
- are based on biological, physical, social, cultural, human use and impact and threat data
- inform further analysis, marine spatial plans and the MSP process
- guide decisions about how marine spaces can be used sustainably to the greatest benefit of Canadians
The many Indigenous cultures of Canada also hold knowledge in their languages, way of life and laws. Through governance partnerships and with consent, we include Indigenous knowledge throughout the MSP process.
Integration and sharing of science and Indigenous Knowledge will enable transparent, timely and effective evidence-based decision making.
Related information
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