Management of marine activities in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf

Various human activities take place in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf, including shipping, fishing, tourism, aquaculture and scientific activities. These activities put pressure on the marine ecosystem and may harm the balance of coastal and marine areas and their resources. The consequences include habitat loss, biodiversity loss, and disturbance of marine animals.

To protect the marine environment while taking into account the needs of ocean users, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) implements various initiatives to protect our oceans and improve the health of marine ecosystems.

Marine Protected Areas

Under the Oceans Act, DFO promotes the sustainable management of resources and the protection of sensitive or unique marine ecosystems by establishing Marine Protected Areas. These areas are established using a systematic and collaborative approach set out in the Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy.  

More information:

• Marine Protected Areas across Canada
  •  Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area (MPA)
• Protection of the marine environment under the Canada-Quebec Collaborative Agreement
  • Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence project
  • St. Lawrence Estuary project
• Marine protected areas in Québec (Governement of Quebec)

Coral and sponge conservation

Fisheries management measures are in place in many coral and sponge conservation areas within the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. To encourage conservation of corals and sponges, the use of all bottom-contact fishing gear is prohibited in these areas, including, but not limited to, bottom trawls, dredges, gillnets, bottom longlines, bottom seines and traps.   

• Coral and sponge conservation measures in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

Integrated Management of the Gulf of St. Lawrence  

The Gulf of St. Lawrence Integrated Management Initiative promotes coordination among the various initiatives led by stakeholders and authorities involved in protecting the marine environment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

To learn more about key issues and access a range of resources on the subject:

• Gulf of St. Lawrence Integrated Management Area

St. Lawrence Action Plan

DFO has been involved in the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence since its inception in 1988. This collaboration brings together various partners to conserve, restore, protect, and enhance the St. Lawrence.  

Throughout the phases of the St. Lawrence Action Plan, concrete environmental results have been achieved and are available online.

• St. Lawrence Action Plan