Canada's Blue Economy Strategy: A Path to Sustainable Ocean Practices

Strategic Insights -

The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, recently highlighted the importance of a more sustainable blue economy, underscoring the need for global cooperation to protect and manage marine ecosystems. Canada's reliance on ocean-related sectors for its economy, food supply, and coastal communities makes it crucial to develop a comprehensive Blue Economy Strategy. This strategy aims to outline Canada's vision for ocean-related sectors and guide future actions and investments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Government of Canada has surpassed its marine conservation targets, protecting 10% of its oceans by the end of 2020, reaching nearly 14% in 2019.
  • Canada is developing a comprehensive Blue Economy Strategy to ensure ocean sectors are more sustainable and prosperous.
  • The strategy will outline Canada's vision for ocean-related sectors and guide future actions and investments.
  • The Government of Canada is working to protect oceans through international partnerships, including joining the United Kingdom's Global Ocean Alliance to advocate for a global target of 30% marine conservation by 2030.
  • Canada will advance the Ocean Plastics Charter and implement the Charlevoix Blueprint on Healthy Oceans, Seas, and Resilient Coastal Communities to address marine plastic pollution.
  • The OECD report "Sustainable Ocean for All" provides recommendations for developing countries to create more sustainable ocean industries.

Statistics:

  • Canada has protected nearly 14% of its oceans, surpassing its 2020 marine conservation target of 10%.
  • The Government of Canada is working towards a global target of 30% marine conservation by 2030.
  • The OECD report supports developing countries in harnessing the benefits of a sustainable ocean economy.

Sources:

  • OECD report: "Sustainable Ocean for All Harnessing the benefits of sustainable ocean economies for developing countries"
  • The Honourable Bernadette Jordan statement, "Canada's Blue Economy Strategy"