Protecting Canada's Oceans

Sustainable Environment Network Society (SENS)
3300 37th Avenue
Vernon BC  V1T 2Y5

BlueEconomy-EconomieBleue@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Blue Economy Strategy Secretariat
200 Kent Street
Ottawa Ontario  K1A 0E6

June 14, 2021

Re: Protecting Canada’s Oceans

Dear Minister Jordan,

Directors of the Sustainable Environment Network Society (SENS) strongly support the government’s plans to protect 25% of the ocean by 2025, and work toward 30% by 2030 (Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Blue Economy Recovery Plan). We urge you to put nature at the heart of the Blue Economy Strategy as you phase out harmful industrial activities (e.g. oil and gas, deep sea mining, harmful aquaculture).  

Protection of nature cannot be separated from economic development – but both must be integrated to allow marine and coastal ecosystems to be protected and restored, and to tackle climate disruption, reverse biodiversity loss, and support human wellbeing.  

A truly sustainable blue economy strategy follows these seven ecological principles: 

  1. Respects Indigenous rights and Indigenous-led economic priorities 

  2. Protects 30% of oceans by 2030

  3. Rebuilds the health of wild fish stocks

  4. Restores degraded marine and coastal environments

  5. Phases out harmful industrial activity

  6. Reduces ocean pollution

  7. Recognizes that oceans are key in the fight against climate change

Please ensure that all investments are ‘nature-positive’ and that marine protected areas are expanded as you develop the Blue Economy Strategy. Healthy oceans provide good, long-term jobs, fight climate change, and reverse biodiversity loss.

Sincerely,

Sigrid-Ann Thors, Chair, 
On behalf of all SENS directors.


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