Marine Protected Areas are proven to foster more biodiversity, helping ecosystems resist and recover from climate stresses. @wcelaw.bsky.social Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa

"The report from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (@cpaws-snap.bsky.social) says that conserved and protected areas — provincial and national parks and local conservation areas — were responsible for 150,000 jobs in the 2023-24 fiscal year." Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4tT137b

In 2023, Canada helped lead a new international agreement to protect 30% of the planet’s lands and waters by 2030. While important progress has been made, Canada needs to do more to reach its conservation goals at home—especially when it comes to the ocean. Take action: https://bit.ly/4bn5RKy

Must read from @cpaws-snap.bsky.social : "In the 2023-24 fiscal year, protected and conserved areas contributed $10.9B to Canada’s GDP, created 150,000 jobs, provided $6.6B in labour income, and generated $1.4B in tax revenue from visitors." Read more: https://bit.ly/3OzOrSj

The ocean covers 70% of our planet and teems with life; some still waiting to be discovered. Countless creatures rely on ocean habitats to survive (yes, that includes us!) On World Wildlife Day, we celebrate the incredible life beneath the waves & the vital role the ocean plays in all our lives.

Marine Protected Areas help ecosystems recover from industrial impacts like overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and underwater noise. Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa @wcelaw.bsky.social

@deepseaconserve.bsky.social is launching its 2026 Media and Policy Briefing Series: Deep-Sea Mining - What the World Needs to Know. This series is designed to equip people with the facts, evidence, and context needed to navigate the deep-sea mining debate. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4l2XZkY

When properly created and managed, MPAs can actually help protect the fishery. By protecting habitats and giving fish space to recover, MPAs can help rebuild fish populations and increase catches. Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa @wcelaw.bsky.social

Another one of the many benefits of Marine Protected Areas: Increasing tourism dollars in coastal communities. Protected areas can lead to more & better tourism opportunities, as seen in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. 🚣 Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa @wcelaw.bsky.social

This #GlobalTourismResilienceDay, we’re thinking about the South Coast fjords of Newfoundland, a place of extraordinary natural beauty, deep cultural connections, and ecological importance. Following NL’s decision to cancel the MOU for a feasibility study, many voices have expressed concern. (1/2)

🌿 Seagrass, salt marshes & kelp forests shelter marine life, protect coasts, and store carbon. In 2023, Canada’s coastal ecosystems sequestered 858 kt of carbon (Arctic 497, Pacific 222, Atlantic 139). Wetlands link land & ocean, supporting biodiversity, coastal communities & climate resilience.

Canada’s oceans and coastal areas are beautiful AND valuable. 🌊 In 2023, ecosystem services from our ocean provided $7.1B in benefits for Canadians, from carbon storage to seafood and nature-based experiences. Read the article from Statistics Canada at https://bit.ly/4bLB1Mj

Introducing Psednos gulliensis — a newly-discovered species of snailfish found in the Gully MPA! The Gully is Atlantic Canada’s oldest MPA (2004). Meaningful conservation takes time, but when we allow nature to heal itself, amazing discoveries emerge. More about the Gully: https://bit.ly/4jHBdhR

Mark your calendars! Jan. 17 marks a new era of ocean conservation. Decades of work and collective effort has led to the coming into force of this landmark treaty. Join ocean lovers from around world in a celebratory reception on Jan. 19: https://bit.ly/4qkgV09 @highseasalliance.bsky.social

As we look towards 2026, we celebrate the significant work of rights holders, communities, industry and civil society in keeping up momentum on meaningful ocean protection. With 4 years to go and just under 15% to protect, we have all hands on deck and wind in our sails as we start this new year.

Wishing you and yours a special holiday season. 🦐

On the longest night of the year, we celebrate the turning of the tide and return of the light! Even in the depths of winter, life beneath the ocean's surface is wide awake, from the kelp forests of the Pacific to the icy waters of the Arctic. Happy solstice!

Good news! Endangered bottlenose whales in the Gully MPA are growing in number after decades of decline. Their friendliness toward boats made them easy targets for whaling. By the mid-2000s their population had declined to 130, but after 20 yrs of protection they're up to 210. https://bit.ly/3YiCH82

"Climate action begins in the deep. We cannot stabilise the climate without a healthy deep ocean. It has absorbed 90% of the excess heat and stored over 30% of the CO2 generated by humanity since the Industrial Revolution." https://bit.ly/4iuYZNj @deepseaconserve.bsky.social

We welcome the Auditor General’s recognition of Canada's progress toward establishing new Marine Protected Areas & other conserved areas, many of which are close to designation. This momentum reflects years of collaboration among governments, Indigenous partners, communities & conservation orgs.

A historic 96.5% vote by the International Union for Conservation of Nature sets the stage for a powerful new marine protected area in the Atlantic, the Macaronesia Sanctuary – a transnational MPA spanning the waters of the Canary Islands, the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde. https://loom.ly/wcOvW3k

Rolling into the week with some GREAT news! On October 17, 2025, three new protected areas in B.C. were officially announced:  🌊 Banks Marine Refuge, co-governed by Gitxaała Nation and DFO;  🌊 G̱aw Ḵáahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges, co-governed by the Council of Haida Nation and DFO.

Celebrating our gelatinous friends today on World Jellyfish Day! 🪼 Important members of the food chain, the mesmerizing jellyfish contributes to the magic of the ocean and our fascination with it.

Seriously scary stuff. More on sufficient protection: https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/why-attenborough-claims-3pct-ocean-protected/

It’s International Day of Climate Action! 🌎 Our ocean is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight climate change. By protecting and restoring blue carbon ecosystems, we can: 🌱 Capture and store carbon naturally 🌊 Protect coastlines from erosion 🐟 Support biodiversity

We were thrilled to support Blue Ribbon at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic this summer, an exhibition by 3 artists working with textiles, discarded plastics, fish skin, and seaweed. If you’re interested in hosting the exhibit, get in touch! Check it out in 3D: https://loom.ly/OeUIQtI

Take a look in your pantry, fridge and freezer. How much do you rely on seafood for sustenance? As we face growing challenges to food security, protecting and restoring ocean health is key to ensuring future generations can rely on the sea for nourishment. #WorldFoodDay

In case you missed it: A historic milestone for our ocean! Since Sept. 19, 15 more countries have ratified the High Seas Treaty! Congratulations to all of our peers and advocates whose incredible work made the High Seas Treaty a reality. More at https://highseasalliance.org/treaty-ratification/

We're happy to see the federal government recognize the serious impact of scrubber washwater, but we need a ban on scrubbers in all Canadian waters. Grateful to @wcelaw.bsky.social & @wwfcanada.org for their work on this issue!

Oct. 8 is World Octopus Day, and we just wanted to show you some adorable octopus that live in Canada's MPAs. 🐙 Photo 3&4: Nature Canada

A huge shoutout to the global community whose hard work and persistence made the High Seas Treaty a reality. 💙 www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDLD...

The current of hope is strong! Here are some ~Good News Currents~ in the news recently.

Every year, more than 1.5M shorebirds touch down in the inner Bay of Fundy — one of the most important stopover areas in the world. This place is a lifeline for these tiny travellers, giving them the food and rest they need. Now, it’s finally on track for stronger protection. #WorldShorebirdsDay

White sharks are causing quite a buzz on Canada's East Coast lately! Sharks are subject to a lot of media attention and fear-mongering, but they’re important agents of balance in the ocean ecosystems. 🦈

The fantastical, dream-like works of Fanny Bok Yin Tang (Vancouver, BC) transport us to a beautiful new world. Inspiring awe and wonder, these imaginative undersea scapes tell a story of hope, connection and oneness of creation. View Fanny's work: https://www.fannybytangart.com/ #OceanArt

Blue whales' songs have dropped significantly. It’s a warning sign, but also a reminder. When we give the ocean a chance to heal, life (and its beautiful music) comes back. 🐋 Read more: https://futurism.com/scientists-alarmed-whales-silent

Wonderful news worth celebrating! 🎉 New research out of @dalhousie.bsky.social for the Journal of Applied Ecology shows endangered northern bottlenose whale numbers surged after The Gully off Nova Scotia became a marine protected area.

Please watch this fantastic video highlighting the unified, urgent call to protect the #DeepSea!

Melissa Labrador is an eighth-generation Mi'kmaq artist from the Wildcat Community in Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia). She also leads the incredible Pemsɨk Mawa’tasikl Anko’tmu’kl — a conservation mosaic that brings together existing initiatives and works to fill gaps in terrestrial and marine protection.

Canada and Panama are spearheading the High‑Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean! Did you know? 🐟 Marine species use sound to navigate, hunt & find mates 🛥️ Human activity has doubled noise levels in some parts of the ocean 🔊 Sound moves ~4x faster in water, making the ocean a complex soundscape

We were thrilled to host a screening of "Ocean with David Attenborough" at museumofnature.bsky.social. Discussions following the film were powerful. Thank you to our co-host naturecanada.bsky.social & minderoo.bsky.social and highseasalliance.bsky.social for their support.

We hosted a special gathering of NGOs at the Coastal Zone Conference in PEI earlier this month. It was a chance to connect, share stories, and strengthen the relationships that keep this work going. In this sector, connection and collaboration is how we thrive as organizations and as a movement. 💙

Because good news should be shared as often as possible! 🐬 #ICYMI: French Polynesia announced the world’s largest Marine Protected Area earlier this month, protecting its entire ocean territory. Congrats to French Polynesia! We applaud the ambition and leadership of this significant announcement.

Remember the incredible Grade 5 class at St. Emily's school who fundraised for SeaBlue Canada? We had the honour and pleasure of meeting these ocean champions last week and accepting a donation of $1,631.35!!! THANK YOU for your activism and care for our ocean 💙

🌊 Marine wildlife relies on sound to orient itself, to communicate, to survive. But underwater noise pollution is threatening life below the surface. The launch of the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean at #UNOC3 marks a milestone. A moment of hope. A signal that change is possible.

#UNOC3 ended with 50 ratifications. But we still need 10 before the Treaty can enter into force. Send your message to your world leader urging them to ratify the #BBNJ Treaty now! Together we can achieve 60 ratifications! #RaceForRatification ➡️ buff.ly/N54Hzn8

The Inner Bay of Fundy Colouring & Activity Book has arrived! 🎨 We're proud to support this new resource, developed in collaboration with local researcher Dr. Sondra Eger, community fishers Darren and Erica Porter, and a range of community voices. Check it out: https://linktr.ee/colourthecoasts

At #UNOC, Secretary General António Guterres called on world leaders to ratify the High Seas Treaty, a critical step toward creating marine protected areas in international waters. Global leaders have stepped up, signing and ratifying the treaty and bringing us closer to turning it into action.

We’re proud to be an official sponsor of Coastal Zone Canada 2025 🌊 We are excited to support this space for conversations, Indigenous leadership, science, and community action. 🔗 Learn more: coastalzonecanada.org/czc2025

Beautiful wisdom from former Bluenose II deckhand Margaret on this #WorldOceanDay