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:
Respects Indigenous rights and Indigenous-led economic priorities
Protects 30% of oceans by 2030
Rebuilds the health of wild fish stocks
Restores degraded marine and coastal environments
Phases out harmful industrial activity
Reduces ocean pollution
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.