View source for National marine conservation areas of Canada

'''National marine conservation areas of Canada''' (NMCAs) protect representative examples of Canada’s marine heritage—Great Lakes and ocean waters, the water column, lake/sea floor, and associated ecosystems—while allowing ecologically sustainable use. NMCAs are administered by [[Parks Canada]] in collaboration with Indigenous governments and coastal communities.

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<div style="font-weight:700; color:#0f766e; margin-bottom:6px;">At a glance — National Marine Conservation Areas (Canada)</div>
{| style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse;"
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Governing body
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Parks Canada (often co-managed with Indigenous partners)
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Legal framework
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | '''Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act'''
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Designations
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) • NMCA '''Reserve'''
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Current sites (examples)
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | [[Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area]] (ON) • [[Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve]] (BC) • [[Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area]] (NU)
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Total protected (approx.)
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | '''120,000+ km²''' (combined designated areas)
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Purpose
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Conserve marine ecosystems & cultural heritage; enable low-impact recreation, education, research, and sustainable use under zoning
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Official site
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca
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== Overview ==
Unlike national parks (which emphasize ecological integrity on land), NMCAs are large, living seascapes. They protect biodiversity, cultural sites, and representative marine regions while accommodating human uses that are compatible with long-term conservation—commercial and recreational activities are managed through zoning, permits, and monitoring.

== How NMCAs work ==
* '''Zoning:''' Core conservation zones protect sensitive habitats (reefs, seabird colonies, ice edges); multiple-use zones allow activities that meet ecological standards.  
* '''Co-management:''' Indigenous rights and knowledge are central. Many NMCAs are developed and managed with Indigenous partners through agreements and advisory bodies.  
* '''What’s allowed:''' Boating, paddling, wildlife viewing, research, commercial shipping and fishing (where consistent with conservation objectives). Seabed mining and oil & gas are generally excluded.  
* '''Monitoring & stewardship:''' Science and Indigenous knowledge guide adaptive management; education programs promote safe, low-impact access.

== Current sites ==
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! Site !! Province/territory !! Year (status) !! Approx. area !! Highlights
|-
| [[Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area]] || Ontario || 2015 || ≈ 10,000 km² || Granite islands, lighthouses, cold-clear freshwater, fish habitat, shipwrecks
|-
| [[Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve]] || British Columbia || 2010 (reserve) || ≈ 3,400 km² || Kelp forests, whales & seabirds, Haida cultural seascapes; complements the terrestrial park reserve
|-
| [[Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area]] || Nunavut || 2019 || ≈ 108,000 km² || Lancaster Sound polynyas/ice edges; narwhal, beluga, bowhead; Inuit travel routes and harvesting areas
|}

== Planning & future candidates ==
Parks Canada continues to evaluate additional marine regions with Indigenous governments and provinces/territories. Candidate areas move through feasibility studies, impact/benefit agreements, and zoning plans before formal designation. *(Examples often discussed include additional Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Great Lakes sites; statuses evolve.)*

== Related designations ==
* [[National parks of Canada]] (terrestrial)  
* [[National urban parks of Canada]] (urban green networks)  
* '''Marine protected areas (MPAs)''' under Fisheries and Oceans Canada (separate legislation)  
* '''National Wildlife Areas''' and '''Marine National Wildlife Areas''' under Environment and Climate Change Canada (separate legislation)  
* [[Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park]] (joint federal–Quebec park; distinct statute)

== See also ==
* [[Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve]] • [[Pukaskwa National Park]] • [[Point Pelee National Park]]  
* [[Parks Canada]] • [[Protected areas of Canada]]

== External links ==
* Parks Canada — National Marine Conservation Areas: https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca
* Parks Canada — Science & monitoring (marine): https://parks.canada.ca/science/marine
[[Category:Parks Canada]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Canada]]
[[Category:National marine conservation areas of Canada]]