Madam Chair, the hon. member has posed a very relevant and important question. I am proud to say that we are making strong progress in implementing the Oceans Act. This government recognizes that the richness and biodiversity of Canada's oceans provide enormous potential for present and future generations.
The health of our oceans and sound management of ocean resources are not only coastal issues, they are truly national and affect all Canadians. That is why we have adopted and are implementing an oceans strategy. Canada has also established five large oceans management areas covering over two million square kilometres, designated seven marine protected areas with more to come, and recently held our first stakeholder forum for the Pacific north coast integrated management area.
DFO is working diligently with other departments to implement the Oceans Act and Canada's ocean strategy to ensure healthy and productive marine ecosystems in support of sustainable communities and economies.