Nova Scotia’s Energy Minister says the province has a very good record of establishing Marine Protected Areas.
The designation can restrict certain activities.
Nova Scotia has asked the federal government to stop setting aside new marine protected areas off the province’s coast for the time being.
The province made its request in an April 5 letter from the ministers of energy, fisheries and natural resources.
The letter was to federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
Geoff MacLellan says the provincial government recognizes the importance of Marine Protected Areas but he says there also has to be a recognition of the impact of MPA’s to the fishery and offshore oil and gas development.
“For us, it’s just about ensuring we’re getting our points across and our positions clear when the feds continue to protect marine areas, They’re looking at a 10 per cent protection rate by 2020. Obviously we want to play a part and protect vital areas for all Canadians to enjoy and appreciate. We just want to be very clear that it’s a national strategy. We just want to be well aware about what the other province’s who are impacted by Marine Protected Areas, what they’re doing as well to contribute to that protection zone. For us this is an ongoing conversation, we’ve reached out to our federal partners to sit down and have a discussion about some of the specifics to make sure we’re treated fairly and that there;’s a proper balance when it comes to MPA’s.”
MacLellan says Nova Scotia has done it’s share.
“We represent more than have of the entire protected areas in this country from coast to cost to coast so for us, we’ve certainly done some of the heavy lifting so far.”
MacLellan says the province wants to continue to play a vital part in the protection of sensitive marine areas.
