The Canadian government announced that $1.9 million, under the country’s $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, is being dedicated over three years to reduce local marine traffic issues.
The ‘Proactive Vessel Management’ initiative aims to address local marine traffic issues by identifying where local management actions could reduce conflicts between marine users or minimize environmental impacts, such as routing and speed controls.
The government will work with coastal communities, indigenous peoples, industry, provincial and municipal governments, and non-governmental organizations to develop a framework to guide how these conflicts are managed.
This new action is expected to allow Canada’s marine shipping industry to be better equipped for safe and responsible passage, and better prepared to protect the marine environment and coastal communities in times of emergency.
Earlier this week, the country also launched USD 9.3 million for the five-year ‘Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping’ initiative, aiming to assess potential cumulative effects of marine shipping on the environment.
“Reducing local marine traffic issues will help ensure marine shipping in Canada is safe, responsible and better prepared to protect the marine environment and coastal communities,” said Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport.
The Oceans Protection Plan—the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways— aims to create a world-leading marine safety system, while preserving ecosystems, creating strong Indigenous partnerships and engaging coastal communities, and investing in research to ensure decisions are evidence based.
Under the Plan, the Canadian government also announced introduction of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (Bill C-64) in Parliament, in late October.
