Canada participates in successful Our Ocean Conference

Ottawa, Ontario - The global ocean is vital to the livelihoods of communities across Canada and around the world. How we manage our oceans is increasingly important as we face mounting pressures from climate change and human activities. The Government of Canada is committed to engaging with international partners to preserve the global ocean now, and for generations to come.

Canada was pleased to participate in this year’s Our Ocean Conference in Panama March 2-3, 2023. Under the theme of “Our Ocean, Our Connection,” participants focused on the importance of knowledge as the basis for global action while considering how to ensure the protection of the ocean, responsible management of marine resources, and sustainable future economic growth.

Through our participation in the Conference, Canada advanced objectives in three strategic areas:

• Combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing;
• Promoting Canada’s progress towards a global commitment to protect 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030; and
• Advocating the importance of the ocean to fight climate change.

Combatting IUU fishing is a top priority for Canada. At the Conference Canada engaged with partners and advanced international efforts to combat IUU fishing. Canada was happy to welcome seven new members to the IUU-Action Alliance, which Canada established with the United Kingdom and United States last year. Canada continues to show its commitment to detecting and deterring IUU fishing activity, with a view to protecting fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of those living in coastal communities around the world.

Canada has already made tremendous strides in conserving its oceans. Through the establishment and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), including marine refuges, Canada has committed to conserving 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, and 30 per cent by 2030. MPAs, OECMs, and conservation networks are vital nature-based solutions that can support global efforts towards climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Canada has also demonstrated global leadership in efforts to advance marine conservation, demonstrated most recently by hosting the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) in February 2023. The Our Ocean Conference was an opportunity to continue building momentum in promoting global marine conservation.