Oceans of Neglect

After witnessing the destruction caused by an Australian prawn trawler, Jennifer Lash returned to Canada where she founded and is executive director of the Living Oceans Society. She urges Canada to finally use its legislative ability to establish marine protected areas.

ASK PEOPLE WHY OUR oceans are important and most will talk about kayaking, splashing in the waves, whale-watching, deep-sea fishing or, in the case of the more adventuresome, surfing. Few Canadians are aware of the key role that their seas play in the country’s environmental and economic well-being. Despite the devastating impact of the collapse of the East Coast cod fishery and troubles with salmon in BC, Canada’s reliance on the health of its marine areas isn’t widely acknowledged. Nor is the vulnerability of portions of the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific Oceans. But Canada’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) could do for oceans what the national parks program does for ecologically sensitive land. ...