Government of Canada invests in co-management of Marine Protected Areas in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region

INUVIK, NT, July 8, 2022 /CNW/ - Oceans are vital to the livelihoods of communities across Canada. We've made tremendous strides in protecting our oceans by working in collaboration with Indigenous partners, provinces, territories, industry and other marine stakeholders. Since 2015, Canada has increased protection of its marine and coastal areas from less than one percent to over 14 percent.

Today, on Western Arctic Oceans Day, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, announced $7.46 million over four years to support co-management activities with the Inuvialuit for both the Tarium Niryutait and Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR).  This funding will support employment opportunities in all the communities associated with the MPAs.

Western Arctic Oceans Day is an annual celebration co-hosted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.  The celebration rotates through the six communities of the ISR. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the unique ties that northern Indigenous communities have with the waterways of their traditional territories. 

The Government of Canada is working to conserve 25 per cent of Canada's oceans by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. Marine conservation is an effective nature-based solution that will help stem the tide of global biodiversity loss and mitigate impacts due to climate change. 

"On Western Arctic Oceans Day, it is so fitting that we are celebrating our partnership with the Inuvialuit. Inuit were the first stewards of Arctic lands and waters, and their knowledge and leadership is critical to protecting them today.  The Government of Canada understands it is only with the engagement of Indigenous partners across Canada, that we will be able to better protect marine ecosystems, combat climate change, and build a stronger, more sustainable blue economy."

The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"Our government is continuing to work together with Indigenous partners, including Inuvialuit, to help address the impacts of climate change in the Arctic and North, based on their priorities. Co-management of Marine Protected Areas informed by Indigenous Knowledge will allow for a stronger, healthier, and more sustainable Arctic and North."

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs

"This funding increase has given Inuvialuit the opportunity to further protect the waters that are important to us since time immemorial.  Our waters are alive and provide a source of food, travel routes, traditional economy and livelihood. Inuvialuit knowledge is key to ensuring that we protect the land and waters in the ISR today and for future generations. The communities that manage and co-manage the MPA's projects are a prime example of strong Indigenous leadership, led by principles of inclusion of science and Indigenous knowledge."

Herb Angik Nakimayak, Chairperson Fisheries Joint Management Committee

• A co-management Agreement was negotiated with the Joint Secretariat of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region on behalf of the Fisheries Joint Management Committee and the Inuvialuit Game Council.
  
  
• The date for Western Arctic Oceans Day is decided annually in collaboration with the host community but is always later than World Oceans Day, which is marked on June 8^th, when the Arctic Ocean is generally still frozen in the ISR communities.
  
  
• Located in the Mackenzie River Delta and estuary in the Beaufort Sea, Tarium Niryutait MPA (TN MPA) was Canada's first Arctic MPA. The large freshwater influences from the Mackenzie River Estuary and marine influences from the Beaufort Sea make the TN MPA an important summer habitat for the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga and a diverse range of fish species.
  
  
• Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area (ANMPA) was established in 2016 to maintain the habitat to support populations of key species (such as beluga whales, Arctic char, and ringed and bearded seals). This was the first MPA to have a conservation objective based solely on Indigenous traditional and local knowledge.

News Release (Inuvialuktun)

• Follow the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
• Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ontario & Prairie Region