Following a last year announcement that it would fund a research to assess the impact of shipping in the marine environment, the Government of Canada now announced that it has awarded a contract to ESSA Technologies Ltd. to look at methodologies and tools to assess the cumulative impacts of marine shipping on coastal marine ecosystems.
Marking the one-year anniversary of Canada’s $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, the Canadian government announced in November 2017 that it would dedicate USD 9.3 million, over five years, for the ‘Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping’ initiative, aiming to better understand Canada’s coastal ecosystems which are affected by the increased shipping activity.
Investing a $95,000 from the $9.3 million, Transport Canada and ESSA Technologies will work together to review different methodologies and options for the assessment of cumulative effects, while continuing engagement with Indigenous peoples, local stakeholders and coastal communities to understand their key concerns related to shipping. This collaboration will ensure the decision on which assessment tool to use is based on facts.
The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. Through this plan, the Government of Canada is creating a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today, while protecting our coasts and waterways for generations to come.
I am pleased to announce this significant step towards better understanding Canada’s coastal ecosystems and the effects of regional marine vessel activity on the environment. We are happy to work with ESSA Technologies Ltd., who will help us identify ways that we can assess the effects of existing and future vessel movement on the environment.
…said Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport.
To date, the Government of Canada has announced approximately $800 million in investments under the Oceans Protection Plan to better protect and preserve coasts and waterways.
