Mr. Chair, this relates to proposed section 35.11. It would require that new MPAs include a no-take zone covering, at minimum, 70% of the entire MPA.
We're saying that Bill C-55, in clause 5, should be amended by adding after line 40 on page 3 the following:
35.11 (1) A regulation made under section 35 after the day on which this section comes into force that designates a marine protected area or an order made under section 35.1 must provide that extractive activities are prohibited in at least 70% of the area of the sea that is designated by the regulation or order. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), extractive activity means an activity that removes or extracts any resource from the area and includes fishing.
I just want to add that scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that no-take fishing areas are a key component of effective MPAs. Recent research shows MPAs that permit “varying levels of...fishing and other activities, are less effective at achieving biodiversity than fully protected areas”. I refer to Dr. Fuller from Ecology Action Centre, who testified that MPAs' core no-take zones should encompass around 70% of a given MPA.
Canada is nowhere close to reaching that high bar. Right now, the minister has the discretion to determine what activities are allowed in an MPA and how restrictive each zone is or can be in an MPA. So far, Canada's fisheries minister has implemented a no-take zone in only five MPAs to date. Those areas are tiny in comparison to the overall MPA. Canada should follow international examples and make no-take zones the rule rather than the exception in MPAs.
This amendment is based on the brief provided and committee testimony from leading environmental organizations in Canada who are working on MPAs. I'll just mention those—I've mentioned them before—West Coast Environmental Law, East Coast Environmental Law, Ecology Action Centre, CPAWS, WWF-Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.